He Comes to Judge the Earth – Psalm 96

One of my teachers in seminary was Bruce Waltke.  He categorized the kinds of Messianic psalms in the Old Testament.  This psalm is messianic prophecy in that it describes the ultimate coming of God to earth to reign.  Of course, when you are a theologian you must use technical language, so Waltke calls this psalm an Eschatologically Yahwistic psalm.

Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!  Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.  Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!  For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.  For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.  Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!  Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!  Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!

Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!  Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it!  Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.  (Psalm 96 ESV)

Yahweh is coming to earth to rule in righteousness and faithfulness so before that happens we must sing to Him, ascribe glory and strength to Him and tell the nations who He is so that they will come to know Him and enjoy His rule.  This is our action that follows from our prayer that God’s name might be hallowed (Matthew 6:9).  Yahweh’s coming is actually Jesus’ coming.