WORSHIP IN THE PSALMS (1)

“Oh, WORSHIP the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth” – Psalm 96:9

There is much that Believers can learn about WORSHIP in the PSALMS: “Oh, WORSHIP the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth” (Psa.96:9). The book of Psalms has over the ages, been the peerless devotional guide, prayer book, and hymnal of many of God’s people. The Hebrew title is “the book of praises” (tehillim). The Greek translation used psalmos, which means “a song sung to the accompaniment of a stringed instrument.” The writers of about two-thirds of the psalms are identified in the superscriptions. David – “the sweet psalmist of Israel” – is credited with 73 psalms (2 Sam. 23:1). The sons of Korah, who were musicians in the temple, wrote 11 psalms (42-49; 84-85; 87). Asaph, 12 psalms, King Solomon two (Psa. 72 & 127), Ethan one (Psa. 89), and Moses one (Psa. 90). However, not all scholars give equal value to the titles of the psalms.

Psalm 96:1-10, with the testimony of God’s rule over the earth, is part of a collection of psalms that focus on the Reign of God (Psalms 93, 95-99). He calls all the earth to worship the Lord as King. The psalm is dominated by imperatives for praise: “sing to the Lord;” “tell of His salvation;” “declare His glory;” “ascribe glory and strength;” and “worship the Lord.” The psalm relates with Isaiah who proclaimed that Israel’s God is the true Creator, with sovereignty over all (Isa. 40:18-20). Psalm 96 can be outlined into 4 sections: (a) Call to worship (vv.1-3); (b) Reasons for worship (vv.4-6); (c) Content of worship (vv.7-10); (d) Coming of the Judge.

The Call to Worship: All the earth is instructed to sing a new song, which represents a victory song and a song of deliverance (Rev.5:9; 14:3). All of the earth’s inhabitants are to praise God for the Victory He has wrought. We are to declare His Glory to the world. His acts of deliverance are to assure His people. Even if we had nothing else to praise God for, the salvation extended to humanity is worthy of perpetual praise. Worship should not be a private thing between ourselves and God; it includes proclamation.

The Reasons for Worship: The first reason is because the Lord is great and therefore must be greatly praised and greatly feared. We must never lose the greatness of God in our minds and hearts. Nature’s grandeur helps us remain in awe of God’s greatness. We are surrounded by the evidences of his royal Presence. The second reason for worship is because all else are worthless idols, without power or might (v.5). The worship of money does not protect from disaster and it offers no hope. The third reason for worship is that God, and only God, is full of splendor, majesty, strength, and beauty (v.6). God is glorious and worthy of our worship.

The Content of Worship: Verses 7-9 tell us what we need to give to the Lord in worship – ascribe to the Lord Glory and Strength. We’re to recognize His Glory and Strength, give glory to His name, while worshiping the Lord in the splendor of holiness. The psalmist gives us a beautiful picture of the heart of worship. We give God Glory and Honor as we recognize His glory and greatness. Our singing to the Lord is an excellent expression of thankfulness and appreciation for our Lord. All humankind is to “ascribe” strength and glory to the Lord and to offer in His courts worship that is appropriate for the sovereign God.

The Coming of the Judge: We’re exhorted to teach the world about God’s Glory and Rule; to tell all that the Lord reigns. God created and established this world, and will judge the earth as a righteous judge. The Lord reigns and is the Judge (vv.10-13).

The psalmist concludes with imagery of the coming of the Lord to judge. All the creation is again called to rejoice and worship the Lord who shall come to judge the earth, in righteousness and faithfulness (v.13). He anticipated the coming of the Lord.