Psalm 96:9

9 Worship the LORD in [his] holy splendor. Tremble in his presence, all the earth!

Psalm 96:9 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 96:9

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
(See Gill on Psalms 29:2), in this and the three preceding verses there is a manifest allusion to the form of addresses made to kings in the eastern nations; who being arrayed, and seated in a majestic manner, with all the marks of royal honour and dignity about them, whom their subjects approach with ascriptions of glory to them; bringing presents in their hands, and bowing down to the ground before them, as the word ^F18 for "worship" signifies; expressing the utmost awe and reverence of them, as in the next clause:

fear before him, all the earth;
or, as the Targum,

``all the inhabitants of the earth;''

it is the duty of all men to fear the Lord; but none can fear him aright without his grace, or an heart given them to fear him: this respects the latter day, when the Jews shall seek the Lord, and fear him and his goodness; when all nations shall fear and worship him; when, from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord shall be great and tremendous among the Gentiles; see ( Hosea 3:5 ) ( Revelation 15:3 Revelation 15:4 ) ( Malachi 1:11 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 (wwxtvh) "incurvate vos", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "prosternite vos", Tigurine version.

Psalm 96:9 In-Context

7 Give to the LORD, you families of the nations. Give to the LORD glory and power.

8 Give to the LORD the glory he deserves. Bring an offering, and come into his courtyards.

9 Worship the LORD in [his] holy splendor. Tremble in his presence, all the earth!

10 Say to the nations, "The LORD rules as king!" The earth stands firm; it cannot be moved. He will judge people fairly.

11 Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad. Let the sea and everything in it roar like thunder.