Psalm 96:12

12 The plains shall rejoice, and all things in them: then shall all the trees of the wood exult before the presence of the Lord:

Psalm 96:12 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 96:12

Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein
Not the field of the world, but of the church, separated from others by distinguishing grace; the peculiar property of Christ, cultivated and manured by his Spirit and grace, and abounding with the fruits and flowers thereof; of a wilderness becoming a fruitful field, and for that reason should rejoice, even with joy and singing, ( Isaiah 35:1 Isaiah 35:2 ) ,

then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice;
the sons of God, so called, ( Song of Solomon 2:3 ) , who, though like such, in their nature state, barren and unfruitful, yet, being ingrafted into Christ, become trees of righteousness; and so have reason to rejoice at their root in Christ, their stability by him, and fruitfulness through him: Jarchi interprets this of all the governors of the people; see ( Ezekiel 17:24 ) , all this, indeed, by a prosopopoeia, may be understood of inanimate creatures; the heavens, earth, and sea, fields, woods, and trees, rejoicing, if they could, and in their way, at such great and wonderful appearances in the Gentile world; see ( Isaiah 44:23 ) ( 49:13 ) ( 55:12 ) . Aben Ezra interprets all this of the heavens giving dew, the earth its increase, and the field its fruit; all which is rejoicing.

Psalm 96:12 In-Context

10 Say among the heathen, The Lord reigns: for he has established the world so that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people in righteousness.

11 Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth exult; let the sea be moved, and the fullness of it.

12 The plains shall rejoice, and all things in them: then shall all the trees of the wood exult before the presence of the Lord:

13 for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth; he shall judge the world in righteousness, and the people with his truth.