Great Commission Anthem – Psalm 96

Spurgeon comments on the placement of Psalm 95 and 96 in the Psalter noting... “It follows fitly upon the last Psalm which describes the obstinacy of Israel, and the consequent taking of the gospel from them that it might be preached among the nations who would receive it, and in due time be fully won to Christ by its power. It thus makes a pair with the ninety fifth Psalm, it is a grand missionary hymn.” The historical occasion providing the context for the Psalm is also instructive. We find most of the Psalm recorded in conjunction with the return of the ark of the covenant to a prominent position among the people of God under the reign of king David. (I Chron 16:23-34). It is therefore clear that David does not consider the restoration of worship and the return of the ark to be a mere parochial occasion. He commemorates these moments with a sweeping anthem of the universal reach of Yahweh's kingdom calling everyone everywhere to attention. Psalm 96 anticipates milestone events yet future that will fulfill the promise to Abraham that he will be a blessing to the nations. It foretells the spread of the Gospel through the church age preaching to the Gentiles the hope of salvation in Christ alone. It is saturated with faith that the coastland peoples will be reached with the glorious advance of God's redemptive purposes in the fullness of salvation's history. The Psalm is structured around four imperatives to broadcast the glory of God to the ends of the earth...