The True And Righteous Judgment Of The Lord.

THE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT OF THE LORD.

Psalm 96:1, Psalm 96:10-13.

Psalms 93-100 are sometimes known as the “enthronement” Psalms. Yet this is not the enthronement of any earthly king (Psalm 93:1; Psalm 97:1; Psalm 99:1). Many of the words of this particular Psalm (Psalm 96) make their first appearance at the instalment of the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of the presence of the LORD, in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16:23-33).

The Psalmist exhorts the earth to sing a new song to the LORD (PSALM 96:1). What is that new song? It is an acknowledgement that “the LORD reigns” (PSALM 96:10).

That acknowledgement is based in the anticipation of the coming of the LORD to judge the earth (PSALM 96:13).

Man has plunged the earth into chaos through sin (cf. Genesis 3:17-19). Significantly, then, it is the creation which groans for deliverance (cf. Romans 8:19-22). The Psalmist exhorts the creation to praise in faith - rather than waiting for favourable circumstances - and creation ultimately rejoices (PSALM 96:11-12).

The central message of this Psalm, as with all the enthronement Psalms, is that “the LORD reigns” (PSALM 96:10). It is He who has established the earth (cf. Psalm 93:1), and it is He who is coming in judgement of the children of men (cf. Acts 17:30-31).

The heavens and the seas, and the fields and the trees, join the earth in their joyful song of praise (PSALM 96:11-12) - and all because of the true and righteous judgement of our God (PSALM 96:13 - cf. Revelation 19:1-2).