This psalm is similar in structure and design to Psalms 95:1. It is an exhortation to universal praise, and was doubtless designed to be used in public worship - in the service of the sanctuary. The psalm has no title in the Hebrew, and its authorship cannot with any certainty be determined. There i... [ Continue Reading ]
O SING UNTO THE LORD A NEW SONG - See the notes at Psalms 33:3. This is the only addition made to the original form of the psalm. The word new here implies that there was some fresh occasion for celebrating the praises of God; that some event had occurred, or that some truth relating to the divine c... [ Continue Reading ]
SING UNTO THE LORD, BLESS HIS NAME - This verse is substantially the same as 1 Chronicles 16:23; “Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation.” SHOW FORTH HIS SALVATION - His interposition; the fact that he has saved or delivered us. This may have referred originally... [ Continue Reading ]
DECLARE HIS GLORY AMONG THE HEATHEN - Among the nations; the people who are not Hebrews. The meaning is, Let it be proclaimed in all lands, among all people. Let it not be confined to those who are professedly his people, but let it be announced everywhere. This is copied literally from 1 Chronicles... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE LORD IS GREAT - Yahweh is great. See the notes at Psalms 77:13. This verse is taken literally from 1 Chronicles 16:25. AND GREATLY TO BE PRAISED - Worthy of exalted praise and adoration. HE IS TO BE FEARED ABOVE ALL GODS - He is to be reverenced and adored above all that are called gods. Hi... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR ALL THE GODS OF THE NATIONS ARE IDOLS - All the gods worshipped by the people of other lands are mere “idols.” None of them can claim to have a real existence as gods. The word here rendered “idols” is translated by the Septuagint, δαιμόνια _daimonia_, “demons.” So the Latin Vulgate _“daemonia.... [ Continue Reading ]
HONOUR AND MAJESTY ARE BEFORE HIM - This part of the verse is taken literally from 1 Chronicles 16:27. The meaning is, that that which constitutes honor, glory, majesty, is in his presence, or wherever he is. Whereever he manifests himself, there are the exhibitions of honor and majesty. They are al... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVE UNTO THE LORD - Ascribe unto the Lord - to Yahweh. This is extracted literally from 1 Chronicles 16:28. O YE KINDREDS OF THE PEOPLE - Hebrew, “Families” of the people: people, as united by family ties. The idea is that of worship not merely as individuals, nor as a mere “aggregate” of individua... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVE UNTO THE LORD THE GLORY DUE UNTO HIS NAME - This also is literally taken from 1 Chronicles 16: Psa 96:1-13 :28. The margin here is, as in Hebrew, of “his name:” the honor of his name. The idea is that which is expressed in our translation. Bring to God what is due to him; or, render such an ack... [ Continue Reading ]
O WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS - This verse is literally taken from 1 Chronicles 16:29. The margin here is, “in the glorious sanctuary.” The Septuagint, ἐν αὐλῇ ἁγίᾳ _en_ _aulē_ _hagia_ - “in his holy court.” So the Latin Vulgate. On the meanings of the expression, see the note... [ Continue Reading ]
SAY AMONG THE HEATHEN - Among the nations; all nations. Make this proclamation everywhere. This is changed from the parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 16. The language there is, “Fear before him, all the earth; the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved: let the heavens be glad, and let the... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE HEAVENS REJOICE, AND LET THE EARTH BE GLAD - Let all worlds be full of joy, as they are all interested in the fact here stated. The universe is one. It has been made by the same hand; it is under the control of the same mind; it is governed by the same laws. The God who reigns on earth reign... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE FIELD BE JOYFUL ... - This is taken - with the change of a single letter, not affecting the sense - from 1 Chronicles 16:32. It is a call on the fields - the cultivated portions of the earth - to rejoice in the reign of God. As if conscious of the beauty with which he clothes them, and of th... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE THE LORD - This is altered from 1 Chronicles 16. The language there is simply, “Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth.” The meaning here is, that all these things have occasion to praise the Lord whenever he appears; to rej... [ Continue Reading ]