Psa 96:9 | KingComments | STEP | The “families of the peoples” (cf. ) are called to “ascribe to the LORD glory and strength” ( ). The nations are made up of families, people who are connected not only by the same nationality but also by blood ties (cf. ). Nothing can be given to Him that He does not already possess. He possesses all glory and strength. To give Him glory and strength means to say to Him that He is worthy of all glory and that all strength belongs to Him. They give Him the glory of His Name when they come into His courts with sacrifices ( ). By doing so, they make it clear that they can only come into God’s presence with offerings. Man cannot approach God empty-handed. The offerings speak of the work of Christ, Who became the offering for sin. Only on the basis of His work and faith in it God can receive people into His presence. As a result, His Name is honored. Coming with offerings means acknowledging and agreeing with God’s way to Him. The common expression for “offering” is derived from the words ‘draw near’. In other words, in order to draw near to God one must offer an offering. Here it is not the common word for offering, but another word, namely the word ‘gift’, a word from which the word ‘grain offering’ is derived. It is here to be able to approach “His courts”, plural, that is, two courts, namely the outer court and the inner court (cf. ). Not only are the outward offerings important, but also the worshiping before Him with inward trembling of awe ( ). An offering is only pleasing to and acceptable by God if we come “in holy attire” as the expression of a humble mind and awe of Him (cf. ). “All the earth”, that is, all the nations of the earth, are called to worship and tremble “before Him”. “Before Him” means in His presence, under His watchful eye.

‏ Psalms 96:9

Worldwide Praise to the LORD

The “families of the peoples” (cf. Gen 10:2-20) are called to “ascribe to the LORD glory and strength” (Psa 96:7). The nations are made up of families, people who are connected not only by the same nationality but also by blood ties (cf. Zec 12:12-14). Nothing can be given to Him that He does not already possess. He possesses all glory and strength. To give Him glory and strength means to say to Him that He is worthy of all glory and that all strength belongs to Him.

They give Him the glory of His Name when they come into His courts with sacrifices (Psa 96:8). By doing so, they make it clear that they can only come into God’s presence with offerings. Man cannot approach God empty-handed. The offerings speak of the work of Christ, Who became the offering for sin. Only on the basis of His work and faith in it God can receive people into His presence. As a result, His Name is honored. Coming with offerings means acknowledging and agreeing with God’s way to Him.

The common expression for “offering” is derived from the words ‘draw near’. In other words, in order to draw near to God one must offer an offering. Here it is not the common word for offering, but another word, namely the word ‘gift’, a word from which the word ‘grain offering’ is derived. It is here to be able to approach “His courts”, plural, that is, two courts, namely the outer court and the inner court (cf. Eze 40:17-19).

Not only are the outward offerings important, but also the worshiping before Him with inward trembling of awe (Psa 96:9). An offering is only pleasing to and acceptable by God if we come “in holy attire” as the expression of a humble mind and awe of Him (cf. Psa 51:19). “All the earth”, that is, all the nations of the earth, are called to worship and tremble “before Him”. “Before Him” means in His presence, under His watchful eye.