Henry Ainsworth on Psalms 96

PSAL. XCVI.

SIng ye to Iehovah a new song, sing ye to Iehovah all the earth. Sing ye to Iehovah, blesse ye his name, preach the good tidings of his salvation from day to day. Tell among the nations his glory, among all peoples his marvellous workes. For great is Iehovah, and praised vehemently, fearefull he is above all Gods. For all the gods of the peoples are vaine idols, but Iehovah made the heavens. Glorious majesty and comely honour are before him, strength and beauteous glory in his sanctuary. Give to Iehovah, yee kindreds of the peoples, give to Iehovah glory and strength. Give to Iehovah the glory of his name; take up an oblation, and come into his courts. Bow downe your selves to Iehovah in the comely honour of the sanctuary, tremble ye at his feet all the earth. Say ye among the nations, Iehovah reigneth, the world also shall be stablished, it shall not be moved, hee will judge the peoples with righteousnesse. Let the heavens rejoyce, and the earth be glad: roare let the sea, and the plenty thereof. Let the field shew gladnesse, and all that therein is: then let all the trees of the wood shout joyfully. Before Iehovah, for he commeth, for hee commeth to judge the earth: he will judge the world with justice, & the peoples with his faithfulnesse.

Annotations. A New song &c.] see Psal. 33. 3. This Psalme is a part of that song wherewith God was celebrated when the Arke of his covenant was brought with joy into Davids citie from Obed-edoms house, 1 Chron. 16. 23, &c. And it containeth a prophesie of Christs kingdome, and of the calling of the Gentiles from Idols to serve & praise the living God. Vers. 2. preach the good tidings] or Evangelize: see Psal. 40. 10. Vers. 4. praised] and praise-worthy: see Ps. 18. 4. Vers. 5. Vaine idols] or things of nought, as the Apostle openeth this word, saying, we know that an idoll is nothing in the world, 1 Cor. 8. 4. Elim and Elohim, in Hebrew are Gods; of Strength. Elilim, idols; as being Al-Elim not Gods, without strength. So elsewhere they are plainly called lo Elohim, no Gods, 2 Chron. 13. 9. unable to doe good or evill, and unprofitable, Ier. 10. 5. Esa. 44. 9. 10. And as the name of God is joyned with things to shew their excellencie, Psal. 36. 7. so is this contrariwise, to shew their vanity; as of Physitians, Iob 13. 4. of shepherds, Zach. 11. 17. of false doctrine, Ier. 14. 14. The Greeke here turneth it daimonia, devils, by which name idols are called, 1 Cor. 10. 19, 20. Rev. 9. 30. 2 Chron. 11. 15. Vers. 6. beateous glorie] for this in 1 Chron. 16. 27. is written joyfulnesse. Vers. 7. Give, &c.] Compare Psal. 29. 1, 2. The Chaldee expoundeth it, Bring a new song to God. Vers. 8. to his courts] to his face, or presence, as 1 Chron. 16. 29. Vers. 9. of the sanctuary] or, of sanctity; see Psal. 29. 2. tremble] or be pained, as in travell of child-birth. Vers. 10. with righteousnesses] that is, most righteously. Vers. 11. Let rejoyce] or shall rejoyce; and so the rest. So Psa. 98. 7, 8, 9. The Chaldee paraphraseth, Let the hosts of heaven rejoyce, and the just of the earth be glad. Vers. 13. with justice] or, in justice, that is, justly; so Rev. 19. 11. Act. 17. 31. Psal. 9. 9.