WORTHY-Psalm 96

Old Testament, Psalms, Sermons

Video (9/22/24): God is the KING of the World (Psalm 96).

NEW: “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth” (Ps 96:1).

EQUITY: “…he will judge the peoples with equity” (Ps 96:10). “Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness” (Ps 96:13).

Timothy Keller Quote

WORTHY: “For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory [beauty] are in his sanctuary” (Ps 96:4-6).

  1. PRAISE (Psalm 96:1-3). “Sing to the Lord a new song” (Ps 96:1a).
  2. GREATNESS (Psalm 96:4-6). “For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise” (Ps 96:4).
  3. ASCRIBE (Psalm 96:7-9). Ascribe/Give to God his due.
  4. JUDGMENT (Psalm 96:10-13). God will judge with fairly and righteously (Ps 96:10, 13).

Psalm 96 belongs to a group of psalms (93-99) that affirm God’s rule over the earth. It is a universal call to recognize that “The Lord reigns,” that “Yahweh is King” (Ps 96:10; 93:1; 97:1; 99:1; Isa 52:7). The central theme is a call to worship the Lord. It is a hymn of praise that invites all people, including Gentile nations, to join in worshipping God, and to proclaim His glory to all nations (Ps 96:1-3, 7). It emphasizes God’s supremacy and greatness (Ps 96:4; 95:3), His role and power as the Creator over creation (Ps 96:5; 95:4-5), and His righteousness and coming judgment of the world with equity and truth (Ps 96:10, 13).

  1. Praise (Ps 96:1-3). Proclaim his salvation (Ps 96:2). Declare his glory and deeds (Ps 96:3).

  2. Greatness (Ps 96:4-6). “For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise” (Ps 96:4).
  3. Ascribe/Give (Ps 96:7-9). “Ascribe [give] to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe [give] to the Lord glory and strength” (Ps 96:7).
  4. Judgment (Ps 96:10-13). “…he will judge the peoples with equity [fairness, uprightness]” (Ps 96:10).

A universal call to recognize God as the only God: “..sing to the Lord, all the earth” (Ps 96:1). “Declare his glory among the nations…among all peoples” (Ps 96:3). “Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” …he will judge the peoples with equity” (Ps 96:10). “Let all creation rejoice… he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world…and the peoples…” (Ps 96:13).

  • “I will bless those who bless you,
        and whoever curses you I will curse;
    and all peoples on earth
        will be blessed through you” (Gen 12:3).
  • “…you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites’” (Exo 19:6).
  • “Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake” (Rom 1:5).

The day WILL come when God comes and judges fairly: “…he will judge the peoples with equity [fairness, uprightness]” (Ps 96:10). “…he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness” (Ps 96:13).

  • “For you have upheld my right and my cause,
        sitting enthroned as the righteous judge” (Ps 9:4).
  • “You say, ‘I choose the appointed time;
        it is I who judge with equity'” (Ps 75:2).
  • “Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
        for all the nations are your inheritance” (Ps 82:8).
  • “Rise up, Judge of the earth;
        pay back to the proud what they deserve” (Ps 94:2).

How beautiful on the mountains
    are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
    who bring good tidings,
    who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
    “Your God reigns!” (Isa 52:7).

How do you give glory to God (Ps 96:7)?

* “Sing to the Lord a new song” (Ps 96:1).

  1. Praise: Obey God’s [short] commands (Mk 1:17; 1 Thes 5:16).

* “…proclaim his salvation [rescue] day after day” (Ps 96:2).

  1. Mission: Tell others about God/Jesus as your purpose-driven life.

* “For all the gods of the nations are idols…” (Ps 96:5).

  1. Repentance: Cast out your idols (1 Jn 5:21).

* “Splendor…majesty…strength and glory [beauty] are in his sanctuary” (Ps 96:6). “Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness” (Ps 96:9).

  1. Awe: Embrace God’s holiness (1 Pet 1:15-16).

* “The Lord reigns…he will judge the peoples with equity.” “He will judge the world in righteousness” (Ps 96:10, 13).

  1. Lordship/Providence: Accept God’s sovereignty (Rom 8:28; Gen 50:20; Ac 2:23-24; 4:28).
  2. Hope: Wait patiently for God’s perfect judgment (2 Cor 5:10).

Questions:

  1. What does it mean to “sing a new song to the Lord” in your daily life (Ps 96:1)? How can you keep your praise and worship fresh?
  2. What specific attributes or actions of God make Him worthy of your praise (Ps 96:4)?
  3. How does “all the gods of the nations are idols” (Ps 96:5) apply in our modern context? What “idols” are you tempted to worship today?
  4. How can you “ascribe to the Lord glory and strength” (Ps 96:7), and ways to give God glory in your everyday life?
  5. How does all creation rejoicing before the God (Ps 96:11-12) impact your view of nature, of the environment?
  6. How will God come to judge the earth (Ps 96:10, 13)? How does this future hope influence how you live your life today?

Psalm 96 emphasizes universal worship, God’s sovereignty over creation, and the anticipation of His just rule over all the earth. It calls believers to not only worship God themselves but also to spread the message of His greatness to all nations.

I. Call to Praise (Ps 96:1-3)

A. Sing a new song to the Lord (Ps 96:1)

B. Bless His name and proclaim His salvation (Ps 96:2-3)

II. God’s Greatness and Supremacy (Ps 96:4-6)

A. The Lord is great and worthy of praise (Ps 96:4)

B. He is above all gods (Ps 96:5)

C. Splendor and majesty surround Him (Ps 96:6)

III. Call to the Nations (Ps 96:7-9)

A. Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength (Ps 96:7)

B. Bring an offering and come into His courts (Ps 96:8)

C. Worship the Lord in holy splendor (Ps 96:9)

IV. Creation’s Joy and Anticipation of Judgment (Ps 96:10-13)

A. Declare among the nations that the Lord reigns (Ps 96:10)

B. Let heaven, earth and sea rejoice (Ps 96:11)

C. Let the fields and tress of the forest be glad and sing for joy (Ps 96:12)

D. The Lord is coming to judge the earth in righteousness and truth (Ps 96:13)

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