Ps. 96:1 new song. See note on 33:1–3.

Ps. 96:4–5 The psalmist explains to the Gentiles that there is only one God truly worthy of worship. The words gods and worthless idols sound alike in Hebrew, providing a play on words. An English paraphrase might be, “these mighty beings are mighty useless!”

Ps. 96:1–6 The psalm begins by calling the inhabitants of all the earth to sing to the LORD. It asks them to sing to the LORD, bless his name, and tell of his salvation. This describes Israelite worship in God’s sanctuary. Here the Gentiles are invited to join in (see also vv. 8–9).

Ps. 96:7–9 These verses develop the thought of v. 7, inviting the Gentiles into his courts to worship. The OT describes a future era, when the Gentiles receive the light, by picturing them coming to the Jerusalem temple (see Isa. 2:2–3). Their uncleanness (see Isa. 52:1) can be cured by conversion, and then they too will be welcome in God’s house.

Psalm Ps. 96. God’s kingship over all creation means that all people should love and worship him. The psalm has three sections, each beginning with a command (“sing,” v. 1; “ascribe,” v. 7; “say,” v. 10), and each mentioning the Gentiles. God called Israel to be a means of blessing for all mankind, bringing them knowledge of the true God. This psalm appears in 1 Chron. 16:23–33, indicating that the people sang a version of it when David brought the ark to Jerusalem.

Ps. 96:10–13 The Gentiles addressed throughout this psalm (see vv. 1, 7) are to spread the news among their fellow Gentiles (among the nations, v. 10; see v. 3) that the LORD reigns! The universal rule (will judge) of the one true God is good news to those who will acknowledge his kingship. When all kinds of people gladly receive God’s rule, the rest of the creation (the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the field with all their inhabitants, and the trees of the forest) will all celebrate (be glad, rejoice, roar, exult, and sing for joy). See note on Rom. 8:20–21.

Ps. 97:1 many coastlands. The biblical authors commonly used the nations around the Mediterranean Sea as representatives of all nations everywhere (see Isa. 42:4).

Ps. 97:1–5 In words that echo the appearance of God’s glory on Sinai (Ex. 19:16–18; see Deut. 4:11; 5:22), the psalm describes the magnificence of God’s presence (clouds and thick darkness; the earth sees and trembles). It looks forward to the Gentiles coming to know the magnificent Creator and Ruler of all. Because of this, let the earth (and its inhabitants) rejoice.

Ps. 97:6–9 These verses concern the false worship found among the nations who are worshipers of images. There is a contrast between the false gods and the Lord, who is most high over all the earth and exalted far above all gods. The purpose here is not to gloat but to look forward to the time when all the peoples see his glory. The OT anticipates this era (see Num. 14:21) and connects it to the reign of the Davidic Messiah (see Isa. 11:1–10).

Ps. 97:11 Light is sown. God’s “light” (that is, guidance; see 118:27; 119:130) and joy are scattered along the path of the faithful like seed, ready to sprout.

Psalm Ps. 97. This is a hymn celebrating God’s kingship over all creation. It focuses on how God’s universal rule assures the faithful of his final victory over evil and idolatry. This victory involves God’s protection of his faithful ones from evildoers (v. 10), the vindication of Zion as God’s chosen place (vv. 8–9), and the Gentiles ultimately coming to know the true God (vv. 6–7). Such assurance does not come from observing the course of events in the world, since God’s universal kingship is often invisible. The assurance comes from biblical faith, and it produces profound joy in those who embrace it (vv. 11–12). The reference to Zion hearing and being glad (v. 8) indicates that the psalm arose from some great deliverance of the city.

Ps. 97:10–12 This assurance about the story of the whole world enables the faithful (those who love the LORD) to live their own lives in faith (that is, to hate evil and to reject its attractions). If God’s righteous purpose will prevail in his world, this means that individual godly people (his saints) will know his care and protection in their own lives. God fills their lives with light and joy. When they realize this, they will rejoice in the LORD and give thanks to his holy name.

Ps. 98:1–3 The term salvation appears in each of these verses. It describes God’s great deeds for the sake of his people as a whole. He provides protection from their enemies and creates the conditions in which faithfulness can flourish. God has done these great deeds to the house of Israel, but the benefit is not limited to them: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Ps. 98:4–6 These verses address all the earth, that is, all people, wherever they live. What God has done for Israel (vv. 1–3) is for the sake of bringing the light to the whole world.

Psalm Ps. 98. This hymn celebrates God’s universal kingship (v. 6) by referring to the “marvelous things” and “salvation” that the Gentiles have seen God accomplish on behalf of his people. God has worked salvation (rescue from evil) for Israel, which all the ends of the earth have seen (vv. 1–3). All people in the earth should join Israel’s celebration, because God is their rightful king, too (vv. 4–6). The material creation should join all mankind in jubilant praise of the one true God, as they look forward to his rule (vv. 7–9).

Ps. 98:7–9 The invitation is extended to the human inhabitants of the world (the world and those who dwell in it) to include even the sea and all that fills it, the rivers, and the hills. The entire creation, human and otherwise, can rejoice at the prospect of God’s just rule (to judge here is to administer justice through a just rule).

Ps. 99:4 The might of this king is directed entirely toward good and pure ends: he loves justice. He combines absolute might with absolute right.

Ps. 99:1–5 The first section stresses the stunning majesty of God’s kingship. It also emphasizes the proper human response (let the peoples tremble; let them praise your great and awesome name; exalt the LORD; worship). This universal God has established his just and gracious rule in Jacob. Among his chosen people, the perfect kingship of God is supposed to be on display. The place of worship (the sanctuary) is God’s footstool (see 132:7; 1 Chron. 28:2). This is in keeping with the royal image, where God the universal sovereign is the acknowledged king over his people.

Ps. 99:8 God is a forgiving God, as he himself says in Ex. 34:7. His people, even the best of them (Moses, Aaron, and Samuel; Ps. 99:6), rely on this, not on their own moral excellence.

Psalm Ps. 99. This is another hymn celebrating God’s kingship over all his creation. The focus is on his exalted holiness (vv. 3, 5, 9) and the amazing fact that he has made a way for his people to come into his presence without danger. Although the emphasis falls specifically on Israel, the element of universal hope for the Gentiles is also pres­ent (see vv. 2–3).

Ps. 99:6–9 These verses explore the wonder of being God’s people, whom he actually welcomes into his presence. In mentioning Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, the psalm reminds its singers of how these men were God’s gifts to lead his people. Those who worship at his holy mountain can be sure that God has preserved his people through servants like these. He has called each of his people to a similar life of faith and obedience.

Ps. 100:1 joyful noise. Also translated “shout for joy” (66:1). all the earth. The Lord is the Creator of all people, not just Israel. Israel exists to bring light to the entire earth.

Ps. 100:3 He who made us seems to refer to God’s making Israel to be his people. his people, and the sheep of his pasture. See note on 74:1–3.

Ps. 100:4 gates . . . courts. Parts of the temple complex.

Psalm Ps. 100. This hymn is not explicitly a psalm celebrating God’s kingship, but it brings the collection of kingship hymns to a close with its enthusiastic call to come before the Lord in worship. Like the divine kingship psalms, this hymn invites “all the earth” (all the Gentiles) to join the song of praise. The title declares that this psalm is “for giving thanks.” That is certainly fitting, as the worshipers thank the universal Creator for the privilege of being “the sheep of his pasture.”

Ps. 100:5 steadfast love . . . faithfulness. These terms recall Ex. 34:6. God’s people can be joyful because of his enduring character of gracious love and because he keeps his promises. to all generations. See Ex. 34:7; Deut. 7:9. The worshipers delight to think of the people of God being preserved forever (see Gen. 17:7; Ps. 103:17–18).

Ps. 101:1–4 The song opens by declaring the king’s firm commitment to live in covenant faithfulness, both in his private life (vv. 1–2) and in his rule in the kingdom (v. 3–4). A perverse heart. That is, those who are openly unfaithful. The king should reject unfaithful advisers.

Ps. 101:6 The word for minister means “serve” or “assist”; e.g., Joshua “ministered to” or “assisted” Moses (Ex. 24:13; 33:11).

Psalm Ps. 101. This is a royal psalm about the place of the Davidic monarchy in God’s plan for his people. It explains for David and his heirs the ideal kind of ruler they should be. The king should set the pattern for covenant faithfulness, and each Israelite should follow it in his or her own daily life.

Ps. 101:5–8 The king should promote faithfulness among the people, and this includes protecting the weaker members from those who would do them harm (vv. 5, 7–8). At the same time, the ideal king will look with favor on the faithful in the land. They may dwell with him (contrast v. 7), and he will rely on them to minister to him (see note on v. 6).

Ps. 102:1–2 The psalm opens on a note of bold urgency. The cry is desperate, and the singer wants God to respond speedily. He fears that God may continue to hide his face from me (see note on 13:1; see 30:7; 44:24; 69:17; 88:14; 143:7). The faithful can present their troubles to God with confidence.

Ps. 102:3–11 The singer focuses on his sense of discouragement: bones burn, heart is struck down, forget to eat my bread, loud groaning, my bones cling to my flesh. These images describe what it feels like to be consumed by sorrow, which has withering effects on one’s body. A person feeling such things inevitably senses his own mortality: his days pass away like smoke (v. 3; that is, quickly) and are like an evening shadow (v. 11; that is, soon gone).

Ps. 102:12–17 The enduring reign of God (enthroned forever, remembered throughout all generations) brings about the ultimate success of his saving purposes in the world (v. 15). Since God does not despise their prayer, the afflicted can be assured that their momentary grieving is part of a larger scheme.

Ps. 102:18–22 The days of Zion’s glory lie in the future, in the time of a generation to come. They will need this record of God’s promises and faithfulness to his people of all eras. The time will come when God’s people will reflect on how God looked down . . . to hear and will lift their voices to declare in Zion the name of the LORD. Apparently the Gentiles will also celebrate (see v. 15).

Ps. 102:23–24 The person who feels what vv. 3–11 describes is keenly aware of his own mortality. It seems like the troubles will shorten his life even further. The prayer is that the God whose years endure throughout all generations would preserve the life of his faithful ones, so that they may see Zion’s wonderful future.

Ps. 102:25–27 See note on Heb. 1:10–12.

Psalm Ps. 102. The title, “A Prayer of one afflicted,” makes it clear that this is an individual lament. At the same time, it is certainly not individualistic: the “I” who sings this (vv. 1–11, 23–24) sees himself as a member of a community, Zion (vv. 12–22). His own well-being is ultimately bound up with the promised well-being of God’s people. The psalm also contrasts the shortness of human life (v. 3, “my days pass away”; v. 11, “I wither away”; vv. 23–24) with God’s enduring life (vv. 12, 25–28). The psalm is suited for one like Job, whose troubles seem to be unexplained. Even God’s “indignation and anger” (v. 10) do not appear to be directed toward any specific sin. Those singing this prayer need to trust in God’s ultimate purposes for the whole people of God and look forward to participation in that blessedness (vv. 13, 21–22, 28).

Ps. 102:25–28 The psalm finishes with words addressed to God, focusing on his everlasting being and purpose. Though the earth and heavens will perish and will all wear out like a garment, God will remain. Thus the psalm closes with confidence, expecting God to keep his promises to many faithful generations descended from today’s faithful (v. 28).

Ps. 102:28 children . . . offspring. The Lord, who is everlasting, can ensure that the descendants of his servants will dwell secure, that is, will enjoy God’s love and Zion’s future.