Psa 96:12 | KingComments | STEP | These verses look ahead to the realm of peace, where all nature is in rapture for the Messiah. The message that “the LORD reigns” – literally “the LORD is King”; the LORD is the Messiah –, is to be made known “among the nations” ( ). Under all the governments of men, the world has known no firmness and has always moved. This situation will come to an end under His kingship. Everything is given firmness and stability through Him because He has girded Himself with power ( ). This will be evident when “He will judge the peoples with equity”. The Lord Jesus will reign as the true Melchizedek, whose name means king of righteousness ( ; ). Incorruptible and perfectly righteous, He will judge from “His glorious throne” ( ). His equitable justice is the basis for an unshakable world. What He says and decides is fair and just and therefore of lasting value. It is unchanging, He never has to return to it. “The heavens”, that is, the inhabitants of heaven, are called to rejoice ( ). Heaven was created by the LORD ( ), heaven rejoices (here), and heaven declares His righteousness ( ). When the believing remnant has overcome satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, the “heavens and you who dwell in them” are called to “rejoice” ( ). “The earth”, that is the people living on earth, is called to rejoice. Heaven and earth belong together as created by the same Creator. They unite in joy because the Messiah has accepted His kingship (cf. ). This means the end of all injustice and the righteous judgment of all injustice ever committed. “The sea”, which is always a picture of the rebellious nations, “and all that it contains” is now called upon to join roaringly with the rejoicing and joy. “The field … and all that is in it”, such as the animals and plants, is called upon to “exult” ( ). “The trees of the forest” will then “sing for joy”. The whole creation in all its parts, the invisible and the visible, is called to express joy because the time has come for the LORD to take His seat on His throne to judge the earth (cf. ). Creation is then freed from the curse that has come upon it through man’s sin ( ). The occasion of this outburst of joy is the coming of the Messiah ( ). Full of enthusiasm, mention is made of His coming. His coming is “to judge the earth”. He always rules, but then it will be visible to all. The rules by which He reigns are those of righteousness (cf. ) and faithfulness, for He is the omniscient, almighty God. This is an impressive moment, a moment of unprecedented importance. It is the great turning point in human history. Now everything is going to be totally different: God is going to rule through His Son. He has given all judgment to Him because He is the Son of Man ( ). Through judgment, there will be order and peace in the world. The earth is regenerated ( ).

‏ Psalms 96:12

The LORD Reigns

These verses look ahead to the realm of peace, where all nature is in rapture for the Messiah. The message that “the LORD reigns” – literally “the LORD is King”; the LORD is the Messiah –, is to be made known “among the nations” (Psa 96:10). Under all the governments of men, the world has known no firmness and has always moved. This situation will come to an end under His kingship. Everything is given firmness and stability through Him because He has girded Himself with power (Psa 93:1).

This will be evident when “He will judge the peoples with equity”. The Lord Jesus will reign as the true Melchizedek, whose name means king of righteousness (Heb 7:1-2; Psa 9:8-9). Incorruptible and perfectly righteous, He will judge from “His glorious throne” (Mt 25:31-46). His equitable justice is the basis for an unshakable world. What He says and decides is fair and just and therefore of lasting value. It is unchanging, He never has to return to it.

“The heavens”, that is, the inhabitants of heaven, are called to rejoice (Psa 96:11). Heaven was created by the LORD (Psa 96:5), heaven rejoices (here), and heaven declares His righteousness (Psa 97:6). When the believing remnant has overcome satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, the “heavens and you who dwell in them” are called to “rejoice” (Rev 12:11-12).

“The earth”, that is the people living on earth, is called to rejoice. Heaven and earth belong together as created by the same Creator. They unite in joy because the Messiah has accepted His kingship (cf. Rev 18:20 ; Rev 19:6). This means the end of all injustice and the righteous judgment of all injustice ever committed. “The sea”, which is always a picture of the rebellious nations, “and all that it contains” is now called upon to join roaringly with the rejoicing and joy.

“The field … and all that is in it”, such as the animals and plants, is called upon to “exult” (Psa 96:12). “The trees of the forest” will then “sing for joy”. The whole creation in all its parts, the invisible and the visible, is called to express joy because the time has come for the LORD to take His seat on His throne to judge the earth (cf. Isa 44:23). Creation is then freed from the curse that has come upon it through man’s sin (Rom 8:21).

The occasion of this outburst of joy is the coming of the Messiah (Psa 96:13). Full of enthusiasm, mention is made of His coming. His coming is “to judge the earth”. He always rules, but then it will be visible to all. The rules by which He reigns are those of righteousness (cf. Acts 17:31) and faithfulness, for He is the omniscient, almighty God.

This is an impressive moment, a moment of unprecedented importance. It is the great turning point in human history. Now everything is going to be totally different: God is going to rule through His Son. He has given all judgment to Him because He is the Son of Man (Jn 5:27). Through judgment, there will be order and peace in the world. The earth is regenerated (Mt 19:28).