SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR
6/17/2012 8:32:35 AM
My Worship Time Focus: Psalm 96 PT-1
Bible Reading &
Meditation Reference: Psalm 96:1-3
Message of the verses: We will begin to look at the 9th
Psalm in today’s Spiritual Diary by looking at several introductions to the
psalm by different Bible commentators in order to better understand what the
psalmist is writing about.
“This psalm
is part of that which was delivered into the hand of Asaph and his brethren
(#1Ch 16:7), by which it appears both that David was the penman of it and that
it has reference to the bringing up of the ark to the city of David; whether
that long psalm was made first, and this afterwards taken out of it, or this
made first and afterwards borrowed to make up that, is not certain. But this is
certain, that, though it was sung at the translation of the ark, it looks
further, to the kingdom of Christ, and is designed to celebrate the glories of
that kingdom, especially the accession of the Gentiles to it.” (Matthew Henry)
“SUBJECT. —
This Psalm is evidently taken from that sacred song which was composed by David
at the time when "the ark of God was set in the midst of the tent which
David had prepared for it, and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace
offerings before God." See the sixteenth chapter of the first book of the
Chronicles. The former part of that sacred song was probably omitted in this
place because it referred to Israel, and the design of the Holy Ghost in this
psalm was to give forth a song for the Gentiles, a triumphant hymn wherewith to
celebrate the conversion of the nations to Jehovah in gospel times. It follows
fitly upon the last Psalm, which describes the obstinacy of Israel, and the
consequent taking of the gospel from them that it might be preached among the
nations who would receive it, and in due time be fully won to Christ by its
power. It thus makes a pair with the Ninety-fifth Psalm. It is a grand
MISSIONARY HYMN, and it is a wonder that Jeers can read it and yet remain
exclusive. If blindness in part had not happened unto Israel, they might have
seen long ago, and would now see, that their God always had designs of love for
all the families of men, and never intended that his grace and his covenant
should relate only to the seed of Abraham after the flesh. We do not wonder
that the large hearted David rejoiced and danced before the ark, while he saw
in vision all the earth turning from idols to the one living and true God. Had
Michal, Saul’s daughter, only been able to enter into his delight, she would
not have reproached him, and if the Jews at this day could only be enlarged in
heart to feel sympathy with all mankind, they also would sing for joy at the
great prophecy that all the earth shall be fitted with the glory of the Lord.” (Charles H. Spurgeon)
“The
substance of this psalm, and portions of Pss. 97-98, and 100 are found in 1Ch.
16, which was used by David’s direction in the dedication of the tabernacle on
Mt. Zion. The psalm has importance
beyond that historical occasion, however, because it anticipates kingdom praise
for the Lord from all the nations of the world (vv. 3, 4, 9-13; cf. Is. 2:2-4;
Zec 14:16-19), and even from nature itself.
It also expresses the intense joy that well saturate the earth when the
Messiah is ruling from Jerusalem (cf. Is. 25:9, 40:9, 10).” (John MacArthur Study Bible)
“This psalm
is found in another version in 1Chronicles 16:23-33. The psalm in Chronicles is a combination of
questions from 96, 105 (1-15 = 16:8-22), and 106 (1, 47-48 = 16:35-36). The Jewish worship leaders, led by God’s
Spirit, felt free to excerpt and combine portions of existing psalms to
construct songs for special occasions.
Some students believe Psalm 96 was used in the dedication of the second
temple when the Jews returned to Judah from their exile in Babylon. As you read the psalm, you can see how it
would apply to the weak Jewish remnant surrounded by strong Gentile
nations. The psalm also looks ahead to
the kingdom age when Messiah shall reign and the Gentile nations will worship
the God of Israel. The psalmist gives
four commands to God’s people and backs up each command with a reason for their
obedience.” (Warren Wiersbe)
Sing! The News Is Good! (vv. 1-3): “1 ¶
Sing to the LORD a new song; Sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim
good tidings of His salvation from day to day. 3 Tell of His glory among the nations, His
wonderful deeds among all the peoples.”
“Sing to
the Lord” is seen three times in these three verses and we are to sing a new
song to the Lord, we are to sing to the Lord, all the earth will sing this new
song someday, and we are to sing to the Lord by blessing His name.
A new song
could be sung when a person becomes a believer in Jesus Christ, for he will
indeed have a new song of salvation to sing to the Lord. “I waited patiently for the LORD; And He
inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He
brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set
my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. 3
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;.” (Psalm 40:1-3a) In this quotation from Psalm 40 we see that David
is singing a new song to the Lord. I
suppose that there are many times in a believer’s life that he can sing a new
song to the Lord, for there are times of troubles that come upon all believers
and when the Lord sees us through these troubled times we will want to shout
for joy to the Lord, sing a new song.
The
proclamation of praise to the Lord is extended to all of the nations as seen in
verse three. One of the troubles that
the nation of Israel experienced was that they thought that all of Abraham’s
children in the flesh were God’s chosen people to be saved from their sins, and
therefore did not like the Gentile nations at all. The truth is that it is the spiritual seed of
Abraham who will be saved, and Paul goes into this in the book of Romans. This verse also speaks of the coming Kingdom
of the Lord Jesus Christ which will last for 1000 years on this earth. At that time all the nations will come to
Jerusalem to celebrate the Lord’s rule, so it is not just for the nation of
Israel, although they will have prominence at that time.
Dr. Wiersbe
points out that the words “show forth” from the KJV is translated “Proclaim” in
the NASB “is the word used in the New Testament for ‘preaching the good news’
and gives us the English word ‘evangelize.’
The good news of the victory of Jesus Christ gives us something to sing
about, for He is the only Savior and will save all who trust Him. (John 14:6; John 4:22; Acts 4:12; Romans
10:1-5.)”
Spiritual meaning for my life today: This section reminds me to praise the Lord
for the great salvation that He has provided for me through His Son, Jesus
Christ, and I am to praise Him for that great salvation.
My Steps of Faith for
Today: Continue to abide “remain” in
the vine in order to do the works that the Lord has called me to do.
Memory verses for the
week: 2Peter 1:1-2
1.
Simon
Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To
those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness
of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
2. Grace and peace be multiplied
to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
6/17/2012 9:33:01 AM
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