Psalm 96 Part 1

There are widening concentric circles in this magnificent psalm. It first speaks to the people of God, then to all the nations of the earth, and finally to creation itself. There is no author attributed in the Hebrew text, but it contains the middle verses of the psalm David sang for the entrance of the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem (1Chronicles 16:23-33), suggesting David was the author. 
God loves to receive the rejoicing and praise of His people expressed in song, especially the ‘new song.’ A new song can come from old saints as they gain fresh awareness of God’s love and grace. He has done extraordinary things for us, and we should excel in praise and thanksgiving, rather than drivel down into dull routine.

 Praise is due to the Lord from ‘all the earth,’ (described in its fulfillment in Rev5:9.) These songs are not just celebrations, they ‘proclaim His salvation’(v2) and declare ‘His glory’ and ‘wonders’ (v3) to the entire world! (C.F.Rev5:12 where these attributes are spoken of about Jesus.) 
Glory is a difficult word to define. It refers to the majestic aura of the divine presence, which is why the stanza speaks of ‘the splendour of his holiness.’ He is, in every possible sense, ‘great;’(v4) great in dignity, in power, in mercy; and therefore ‘greatly to be praised’ by every creature. ‘To be feared,’ does not mean to be ‘afraid of’ but to be respected and reverenced. The same admonition is given to the earth’s last generation (Rev14:6-7). He is to be feared because He is the creator (v5.) The term in v5, ‘idols’ is elilim, which the OT treats as a mere parody of Elohim (God). It is the word translated ‘worthless’ in Job13: and Jeremiah14:14.

‘Honour and majesty are before Him’. He is marked by ‘strength and beauty.’ Holiness, justice, wisdom, grace; these are the splendours of the Lord’s courts, these are the metaphorical jewels and the gold, the regalia, and the pomp of the courts of heaven. If we ask whether this sanctuary in v6 is earthly or heavenly, the probable answer is both. The earthly one was a ‘copy and shadow’ of the heavenly (Heb8:5).