Psalm Chapter 96

 

  • Psalm 96:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.

To me a new song would be a song of salvation. The law is good but it shows us what sin is. It condemns the sinner. The grace of Jesus Christ shows us the way out of sin. Faith in Jesus cancels out the curse of the law on behalf of the believer. That surely is something to sing a new song about. I love to hear a large congregation of people singing to the Lord more than a few special singers.

  • Psalm 96:2 Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

His salvation is the promise of eternal life to all who believe the one God sent to die for sins. That person being His son Jesus. This message should be shared with the entire world. It is good news indeed.

  • Psalm 96:3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

  • Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
  • 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

The gospel is to be preached to the whole world and then shall Jesus return to set up His kingdom. His kingdom can be already in our hearts by faith now. We don't have to wait for the literal kingdom of God to have the kingdom of God within us. It can be within us now until we shall see the visible kingdom at the return of Jesus.

  • Psalm 96:4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
  • 5 For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

There are no other gods in reality but only idols in which many nations were deceived into thinking  were real gods. That is why we should never fool around with idolatry. There are actual spirits that accompany those images but the spirits are not God's spirit but the spirits of the wicked one, even Satan. God forbids us to seek out familiar spirits, fortune telling, wizards and witches. We are to trust only in God and seek Him. He gave us His word for guidance.

It provokes Him to jealousy when we seek others. He knows that the advice of the devil would only harm us. Beware of anything that promises prosperity without holiness, eternal life without repentance and other such doctrines. Read the bible for the way, the truth and the life only available through faith in Jesus the Christ. 

  • Psalm 96:6 Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
  • 7 Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

Our praise and thanksgiving to God honors Him. We cannot praise Him enough for His gift of salvation. He could have wiped us all out like He did in the days of the flood. Instead He sent Jesus to save us from sin so that we can have a new life and inherit eternal life.

  • Psalm 96:8 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

Offerings are freely given with a willing spirit.

  • Psalm 96:9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Through Jesus Christ our sins are washed away and we can walk in holiness. We can worship God in holiness and in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. God is pleased when we worship with a clean heart. That is why Jesus came. Sin cannot enter heaven. We must let Jesus remove our sins and cleanse us from sin. He was the perfect sacrifice to do that. Animal sacrifices only pointed the way, they did not make the person giving the sacrifice, holy. The blood of Jesus sanctifies and makes holy.

  • Psalm 96:10 Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

The only way the heathen can hear the word of God is through believers who will proclaim that word through the power of the Holy Spirit. Whether we witness through preaching, writing, teaching or other methods, we must share the gospel with the heathen. If we were not to do that, God would take us home with Him the moment we are saved.

  • Psalm 96:11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
  • 12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice.
  • 13 Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

This day is surely coming when the Lord will judge the earth. This is something to rejoice about. We should not desire to remain here without the Lord's presence. He is the only one who will bring peace to the Middle East by the way. We can try by pressuring Israel to give up land for peace but it is a wasted effort that will backfire against Israel and also those that pressure Israel.

There may be a false christ or antichrist who will appear on the scene for a season. He will proceed the coming of Jesus to set up His everlasting kingdom. At first this man of sin we call the antichrist  will speak of peace and many will be deceived by him. He will not be the Christ however. I notice though that the world will be ripe to follow someone who will give them the freedom to do evil, promise them economic prosperity and offer them peace without repentance and a changed life. Instead this evil one will attract the ones that only want to do what is right in their own eyes.

He will turn against Israel though and try to destroy them after he has gained the power to do so. The spirit of anti-Israel is already in the world. How many people will follow a person who offers them financial prosperity without holy living and righteousness?  This person will be someone who appears to have all the answers to wars, hunger, and maybe even medical coverage. These things are good but be careful what you have to give up to get all these good things. Communism once offered these things but the people had to give up their faith in God and their freedom.  

Our trust must be in the Lord Jesus Christ and our eyes should be on Him only. He alone is our salvation and our help. We must not trust in another that claims to give us good things but cannot save our souls. The bible is our only source for truth. Beware of new bibles and make sure they contain the word of God. The Holy Spirit will let you know if you seek Him. Jesus said that that if we abide in Him and keep His word, we will know the truth and the truth shall make us free.   Beware of any religion also that promises salvation and eternal life but lets one remain in sin and does not teach repentance. Jesus came to save us out of sin, not save us to continue in willful sin.

  • John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
  • 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
  • 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Let us listen to the voice of Jesus and follow no other way. Read the bible and seek the Lord with all your heart. If anyone asks wisdom, ask of God and He will give you wisdom. If you seek God for only material things, you may find the wrong god. DC

  • Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.


Psalm 97

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