Praise!

Study 1 - Psalm 96 "Praise the return of the King"

Introduction

Series looking at different aspects of the psalms – to learn more about God and to enhance our singing of praise.

1. The King's Call (v1-3)

The setting is the return of the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chron 15 and 16). The theme can be taken from v 10 – The Lord reigns’. It is anticipatory of future salvation. The Lord’s coming (new song of Rev 5) Messianic and apocalyptic.

There are six imperatives in the introduction:

• 'Sing' times three
  We are to sing praise. Make music from our hearts. Called to worship. New song of redemption. (Our experience is new every day) Made – and commanded – to worship.
• 'Praise, declare, proclaim'
  There is an outward direction to our worship. Our attitude of praise has a public dimension in our lives.

2. The King’s Majesty (v4-6)

The focus of this section is the worthiness of God to be worshipped.

• He is King!
  He is great! He is incomparable (play on words – God is ‘Elohim’ the gods are ‘Elilim’ – nobodies.
• He is the Only God
  Creator. Splendid. Strong, Theme of psalm – past, present and future – He is on the throne. He is real.

3. The King’s due (v7-9)

We Glorify God in our worship. All nations – Abrahamic promise fulfilled in Christ. (Gal 3 v10-14). First coming as Saviour (like the ark).

• 'Glory'
  Idea is of density, heaviness. Impressive – not a lightweight! Recognise that. Also, Glory as manifestation of his actions, presence (Ps 102 v 16) Whole of created world will be filled with knowledge of His Glory (Hab 2 v 14). Active concept, not static.
• 'Ascribe'
  Times three a before. Related to His Glory. Worship – 'prostrate ourselves before'. It is related to humility and obedience. All of life. Seeing God’s Glory in everything. Worship is about 'bringing something to God'. Living sacrifices. Our praise. Often think of worship as what we get. But its primarily responsive.

4. The King's coming (v10-13)

The joy in anticipatory worship! Second coming as Judge (like the ark)

• Christ is the Sovereign Judge (See Acts 17 v 31)
  Old Latin version of v 10. 'The Lord reigns...from the cross' He will return to judge with fairness.
• Celebration anticipated!
  Future tense. Second coming will usher in fullness of praise. See things as they are. The redeemed will praise (Rev 19 v 6-7). The creation will be his congregation! (Rejoicing not groaning – Romans 8 v 21) Justice, love and the Glory of God will be our theme.

Sing!

Questions

1. Describe how this psalm can be viewed as messianic?
2. How can we fulfil our mandate to 'declare his Glory among the nations' as v3 encourages us to?
3. The Glory of God is seen in 'the work of His hands' (Ps 19 v1) 'It is His presence, power and action in the world' (Marvin E Tate) Discuss that concept in relation to living for the glory of God. (v7)
4. Discuss our tendency to see the worship of God as something we get from God rather than what we give to God (v8). Why is that?
5. How would you answer an objection to the statement 'The Lord reigns' (v10) when the world sees to be in chaos and under the grip of evil. (Eph 6 v 12)
6. Look up these verses: Ps 65 v12-13, Ps 98 v7-9, Isaiah 44 v 23 and Romans 8 v20–22, comparing them with v11-13 of this psalm – what central truth is God revealing to us here.
7. Why can we look forward to God’s judgement with joy, like the creation is doing here in the psalm? (v12)