Psalms 96:4

For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. FOR THE LORD IS GREAT, AND GREATLY TO BE PRAISED - (.) The "For" justifies the attribution of "glory" and "wonders" to Him in . HE IS TO BE FEARED ABOVE ALL GODS - (.) At this time the might of the world-power was at its height, and threatened destruction to the small state of Judea. But faith assured the people of God that their Yahweh is superior to all the vain gods of the world; and prophecy comforted them With the prospect that the pagan themselves at last will recognize Yahweh alone....

4._For Jehovah is great, and greatly to be praised. _He particularly describes that God, whom he would have men to celebrate, and this because the Gentile nations were prone to merge into error upon this subject. That the whole world might abjure its superstitions, and unite in the true religion, he points out the one only God who is worthy of universal praise. This is a point of the greatest importance. Unless men are restrained by a due respect to it, they can only dishonor him the more that they attempt to worship him. We must observe this order if we would not profane the name of God, and rank ourselves amongst unbelieving men, who set forth gods of their own invention. By _gods _in the verse may be meant, as I observed already, (Psalms 95:3,) either angels or idols. I would still be of opinion that the term comprehends whatever is, or is accounted deity. As God, so to speak,

1-9 When Christ finished his work on earth, and was received into his glory in heaven, the church began to sing a new song unto him, and to bless his name. His apostles and evangelists showed forth his salvation among the heathen, his wonders among all people. All the earth is here summoned to worship the Lord. We must worship him in the beauty of holiness, as God in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself. Glorious things are said of him, both as motives to praise and matter of praise....

Verse Psalms 96:4. _HE_ IS _TO BE FEARED ABOVE ALL GODS._] I think the two clauses of this verse should be read thus: - Jehovah is great, and greatly to be praised. Elohim is to be feared above all. I doubt whether the word אלהים _Elohim_ is ever, by fair construction, applied to false gods or idols. The _contracted_ form in the following verse appears to have this meaning....

FOR THE LORD IS GREAT - Yahweh is great. See the notes at Psalms 77:13. This verse is taken literally from 1 Chronicles 16:25. AND GREATLY TO BE PRAISED - Worthy of exalted praise and adoration. HE IS TO BE FEARED ABOVE ALL GODS - He is to be reverenced and adored above all that are called gods. Higher honor is to be given him; more lofty praise is to be ascribed to him. He is Ruler over all the earth, and has a claim to universal praise. Even if it were admitted that they were real gods, yet it would still be true that they were local and inferior divinities; that they ruled only over the particular countries where they were worshipped and acknowledged as gods, and that they had

EXPOSITION THIS psalm occurs, with very little change, in 1 Chronicles 16:23-13, and is there (1 Chronicles 16:7) ascribed to David. It is also entitled, "A Psalm of David," in the Septuagint. But the phraseology and the style, especially the frequent iteration (1 Chronicles 16:1, 1 Chronicles 16:2, 1Ch 16:7, 1 Chronicles 16:8, 1 Chronicles 16:13), belong to the later Hebr

FOR THE LORD IS GREAT,.... In the perfections of his nature; in the works of his hands, of creation, providence, and redemption; and in the several offices he bears and executes: AND GREATLY TO BE PRAISED; because of his greatness and glory; Psalms 48:1, HE IS TO BE FEARED ABOVE ALL GODS; the angels by whom he is worshipped; civil magistrates, among whom he presides, and judges; and all the fictitious deities of the Gentiles, who are not to be named with him, and to whom no fear, reverence, and worship, are due....

Psalms 96 The Lord Has Come _ 1. The new song (Psalms 96:1)_ 2. The Lord supreme (Psalms 96:4) 3. Glory unto His Name (Psalms 96:7) 4. Creation celebrating (Psalms 96:11) And now He has come and is manifested in the earth. The singing times begin and will last for a thousand years, when they will merge into the never ceasing songs of eternity. It is a call now to make the glad and glorious news known in all the earth and to make His glory known among the nations. That will be the work of converted Israel. Not much com

XCVI. THE PRAISE OF YAHWEH IN ISRAEL, AMONG THE NATIONS, IN ALL CREATION. This Ps. is inserted with considerable variations, in 1 Chronicles 16:23, probably by a later hand, and not by the Chronicler himself. It is largely compiled from other sources, notably from 2 Is. PSALMS 96:1. A NEW SONG: a song evoked by some new and startling event. The phrase occurs in Isaiah 42:10, where it is much more in place. Psalms 96:5. Read _mg._ but the meaning of Heb. is doubtful. Psalms 96:6. sanctuary: _i.e._ th

GODS. rulers. Hebrew. _'elohim._ App-4. See note on Exodus 22:9....