Psalms 96:10 - Meaning and Application

Here we are given instructions for those who would preach the gospel to the nations, telling them what to preach, or for those who have already received the gospel, telling them what to say to their neighbors and among the heathen. This is also a glorious prophecy of Christ’s kingdom being set up over the ruins of the devil’s kingdom. That began right after Christ’s ascension and will continue until God’s mystery is fully completed.

First, they must tell the nations that the Lord reigns. The Lord Christ reigns, the King whom God had planned to place on his holy hill of Zion. Peter was the first to say this among the heathen (Acts 10:42). Some early writers added a note here that later worked its way into the text, “The Lord reigns from the tree,” meaning the cross. They said this because the title over Jesus was “The King of the Jews.” Since he became obedient to death, even death on a cross, God exalted him and gave him a name above every name, and a throne above every throne. Some of the Gentiles had already begun to ask after the one who was born King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2). Now they must be told that he has come and that his kingdom has been established.

Second, they must tell them that Christ’s rule will bring the world’s true peace and stability. “The world also shall be established, that it shall not be moved.” The created world itself is kept in place through Christ’s mediation, that is, his work as the go-between who brings God and people together. Sin had shaken the world, and still threatens it, but Christ, as Redeemer, holds all things together and preserves the order of nature. The human world will also be upheld until all who belong to God’s grace are brought in, even though it is a guilty and provoking world. As far as the Christian religion is received, it establishes nations and kingdoms and helps preserve good order among people. Some understand this of the church in the world, which will be established and cannot be moved, because it is built on a rock, and the gates of hell will never defeat it. It is a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Third, they must tell them that Christ’s government is perfectly just and righteous. “He shall judge the people righteously” (Psalm 96:10), and “he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth” (Psalm 96:13). Here, judging means ruling. This can be stretched to include the final judgment at the last day, which will be in righteousness (Acts 17:31), but it points more directly to Christ’s first coming and the setting up of his kingdom through the gospel. Jesus himself said, “For judgment I have come into this world” (John 9:39; John 12:31), and that all judgment was given to him (John 5:22, 27). His ruling in righteousness and truth means three things. All the laws and commands of his kingdom agree with eternal truth and justice, with the holy character and will of God. All his acts of rule are fair and faithful, exactly as he has said. And he rules in human hearts and consciences through the power of truth and the Spirit, who brings righteousness and makes people holy.

When Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you a king?” Jesus answered that he came into the world to bear witness to the truth (John 18:37). That is because he rules by truth and directs people’s wills by first correcting their understanding.

Fourth, they must tell them that his coming is near. This King, this Judge, is standing at the door, for “he comes, for he comes.” Enoch, the seventh from Adam, said the same thing: “Behold, the Lord comes” (Jude 1:14). Many ages passed between that and Christ’s first coming, yet he came exactly at the appointed time. In the same way, his second coming is just as sure, even though it was long ago said, “Behold, he is coming with the clouds” (Revelation 1:7), and he has not yet come. See 2 Peter 3:4 and following.

Fifth, they must call on all to rejoice in the honor given to the Messiah and in the great trust placed in his hands (Psalm 96:11, 12). Let heaven and earth rejoice, the sea, the field, and all the trees of the forest. This is poetic language. It means, first, that the days of the Messiah will be joyful days, and wherever his grace and rule are welcomed, they bring joy with them. We have good reason to give Christ the place, the welcome, and the joy that belong to him. We see both in Acts 8. When Samaria received the gospel, there was great joy in that city (Psalm 96:8), and when the Ethiopian eunuch was baptized, he went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:39).

Second, it is our duty to welcome Christ and his kingdom gladly, even though he comes conquering and to conquer. He comes in peace. “Hosanna, blessed is he who comes,” and again, “Hosanna, blessed is the kingdom of our father David” (Mark 11:9, 10). It is not only the daughter of Zion who should rejoice that her King is coming (Zechariah 9:9), but all should rejoice.

Third, all creation has reason to rejoice in Christ’s kingdom, even the sea and the field. Through the sin of the first Adam, the whole creation was made subject to futility. Through the grace of the second Adam, Christ, it will in some way, sooner or later, be freed from corruption and brought into the glorious freedom of God’s children (Romans 8:20, 21).

Fourth, there will first of all be joy in heaven, joy in the presence of the angels of God. When the Firstborn was brought into the world, they sang praises to him (Luke 2:14).

Fifth, God will kindly accept the holy joy and praise of all who truly wish well to Christ’s kingdom, no matter how small or plain they may seem. The sea can only roar, and I do not know how the trees of the forest show their joy. But God, who searches the heart, knows the Spirit’s meaning and understands the broken speech of the weakest worshiper.