1Ch 16:25-26 | KingComments | STEP | Psalm 96, from which comes the second part of this song of praise, is one of the psalms that speak of the return of Christ. David calls not to sing of his own kingship, but of the kingship of the LORD. David’s kingship and that of the Lord Jesus are most closely connected, for the great Son of David is the LORD of hosts. These verses look forward to the fulfillment of the promises, when the LORD publicly exercises His authority over the nations. After the praise of the LORD for all His great deeds and His covenant follows in the call of Israel to all the earth to sing to Him. The people of God are overwhelmed by the great lovingkindness that is their part. In it they want the nations to share who have been brought into contact with them. In their turn, those peoples must bring the message of the salvation that is Israel’s part “from day to day”, that is to say, constantly. Something like this is expected of us: “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name” ( ). Here the singing for the LORD is done by the nations as a testimony of His wonderful deeds ( ). The direct reason for this call is the incomparable and awesome greatness of the LORD above all gods because these are idols, nothing, while the LORD is also the Creator ( ). Everything that is before Him, what is in His presence, radiates splendor and majesty ( ). Perhaps we could think of angels. They have power and joy because they are in His place, the place where He is. When we think of “His place” we can also think of the ark here. All the people rejoice at the presence of the ark as the dwelling place of God. If this is true for angels and God’s earthly people, how much more so then for us who are children of God and are blessed in Christ with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places ( ). Do we rejoice in this too? In the following verses we see the nations in the temple ( ). They have come to see the face of the LORD. They are called to come there with offerings and bow down before Him. Someone can only come into the presence of God by virtue of the offering of Christ and in a humble mind. The whole earth, that is to say all the nations of the earth, is called to tremble before Him. This shows their respect for Him. To those with whom this is found, He gives unshakeable firmness. When the whole earth has thus taken its place in relation to the almighty LORD, heaven is also involved. The heavens and the earth together are called to rejoice ( ). This situation is the result of the reign of the LORD. He always rules, but then it will be visible to everyone. The whole creation in all its parts, the visible and the invisible, is called to expressions of joy, because the moment has come when the LORD sits on His throne to judge the earth ( ). This is an impressive moment, a moment of unprecedented importance. It is the great turning point in the history of mankind. Now everything will be completely different, God will reign through His Son. He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man ( ).

‏ 1 Chronicles 16:25-26

Second Part (Psalm 96:1-13)

Psalm 96, from which comes the second part of this song of praise, is one of the psalms that speak of the return of Christ. David calls not to sing of his own kingship, but of the kingship of the LORD. David’s kingship and that of the Lord Jesus are most closely connected, for the great Son of David is the LORD of hosts. These verses look forward to the fulfillment of the promises, when the LORD publicly exercises His authority over the nations.

After the praise of the LORD for all His great deeds and His covenant follows in 1Chr 16:23 the call of Israel to all the earth to sing to Him. The people of God are overwhelmed by the great lovingkindness that is their part. In it they want the nations to share who have been brought into contact with them. In their turn, those peoples must bring the message of the salvation that is Israel’s part “from day to day”, that is to say, constantly. Something like this is expected of us: “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name” (Heb 13:15). Here the singing for the LORD is done by the nations as a testimony of His wonderful deeds (1Chr 16:24).

The direct reason for this call is the incomparable and awesome greatness of the LORD above all gods because these are idols, nothing, while the LORD is also the Creator (1Chr 16:25-26). Everything that is before Him, what is in His presence, radiates splendor and majesty (1Chr 16:27). Perhaps we could think of angels. They have power and joy because they are in His place, the place where He is. When we think of “His place” we can also think of the ark here. All the people rejoice at the presence of the ark as the dwelling place of God.

If this is true for angels and God’s earthly people, how much more so then for us who are children of God and are blessed in Christ with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places (Eph 1:3). Do we rejoice in this too?

In the following verses we see the nations in the temple (1Chr 16:28-30). They have come to see the face of the LORD. They are called to come there with offerings and bow down before Him. Someone can only come into the presence of God by virtue of the offering of Christ and in a humble mind. The whole earth, that is to say all the nations of the earth, is called to tremble before Him. This shows their respect for Him. To those with whom this is found, He gives unshakeable firmness.

When the whole earth has thus taken its place in relation to the almighty LORD, heaven is also involved. The heavens and the earth together are called to rejoice (1Chr 16:31). This situation is the result of the reign of the LORD. He always rules, but then it will be visible to everyone. The whole creation in all its parts, the visible and the invisible, is called to expressions of joy, because the moment has come when the LORD sits on His throne to judge the earth (1Chr 16:32-33).

This is an impressive moment, a moment of unprecedented importance. It is the great turning point in the history of mankind. Now everything will be completely different, God will reign through His Son. He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man (Jn 5:27).