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Sunday School Lesson
Praise God With A New Song (Psalm 96)
sons why we would sing the song of salvation:
First, the Lord is great. There is no one like him. Sec- ond, the Lord is most worthy of praise. He is the only one who deserves the honor. Third, the Lord is feared above other so-called gods (1 Corinthians 8:4-6). Other gods are worshipped in the world, but there is only one true God. Fourth, the nations are idol worshippers—unlike God’s people—and in wor- shipping their idols they are really worshipping them- selves. Fifth, the Lord made the heavens. He is the Creator.
“We have heard the joyful sound, Jesus saves, Jesus saves; spread the tidings all around Jesus saves, Jesus saves.”
Song 2: Holy, Holy, Holy Psalm 96:6-9
Once again six verbs carry the imperatives related to this song. Ascribe is used three times; bring, worship, and tremble each appear once. The singer remembers who is worshipped—none other than
God, our “blessed trinity.” He is holy—he is totally other and distinct from his creation. He dwells in splendor, majesty, strength, and glory. These qualities of God are personi- fied as standing before God.
Since God is holy, those who worship him must be holy in their worship. First, this involved bringing an of- fering that was without blem- ish. Second, ascribing to God his worth was to be done in the splendor of his holiness. Worship must be done de- cently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40), but it must also capture the holy heart of the one being wor- shipped. Third, all the families of nations and all the earth were to participate in this grand worship of God. No spot on the globe is exempt.
“Only Thou art holy—there is none beside Thee; perfect in power, in love and purity.”
Song 3: Great Is the Lord, He Is Holy and Just | Psalm 96:10-13
The church often sings itself to health. God’s people sing
the song of the redeemed, and in so doing, they sing health to their weary souls. The psalmist invites the nations, the earth, and the world to sing (or say) that God is in charge. He is great, holy, and just, and “by his power we trust in his love.” At the end of the day he will have the last word. He will judge (a verb that appears twice in this paragraph). His judgment is as sure as the world and is al- ways done with equity.
The psalmist personifies creation by calling it to wit- ness God’s sovereignty. The heavens, the earth, the sea, the fields, the trees, and all of creation are called forth to testify to God’s pure and righteous judgment. In fact, God himself is the standard by which all judgment takes place. He will judge the world (pagans) and the peoples (Is- rael) in two ways—righteous- ness and faithfulness. God is the judge, but he is also the standard by which people will be judged. Put that to music.
For every season of the heart, there is a psalm. Much like the preaching of Jesus, there is something for every- one.
People have their prefer- ences, but God’s people al- ways have a song. The Christian faith is a singing faith—in contrast to so many world religions today. Psalm 96 is only 13 verses long, but it is filled with commands to sing and reasons for doing so.
Song 1: Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves Psalm 96:1-5
Six verbs carry the impera- tives related to singing. Sing is
used three times; praise, pro- claim, and declare each ap- pear once. Singing does not seem optional. When the heart is caught up in the won- der of God, the only response of the lips is to sing. The song is new (fresh). The song is worldwide (all the earth and the nations and among all peoples). The song centers on the character of God (praise his name—name standing for his person and character). The song’s content is salvation. To accomplish this salvation, God’s glory showed up in marvelous deeds (miracles).
The psalmist gives five rea-
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