Ps. 96:0 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm was composed by David upon occasion, or at the time, of the bringing of the ark of God into the tabernacle which David had prepared for it in Zion, as may be gathered by comparing it with 1 Chron. 16:7, 1 Chron.

A new song, upon this new and great occasion; not the removal of the ark, wherein there was nothing new but an inconsiderable circumstance of place, and that not yet fixed; but the coming of the Messiah, and the confirming of the new covenant by his blood, and the calling of the Gentiles.

His salvation; that great work of the redemption and salvation of the world by the Messias.

You who shall be called out of all the heathen nations to the knowledge of God and Christ, publish this glorious and wonderful work amongst all the heathen nations to whom you belong or may come.

The gods of the nations, as the next verse expounds it.

Idols; or, nothings, as they are called, 1 Cor. 8:4, 1 Cor. 10:19; or, vain things, as the word signifies, and is translated by others. The sense is, Though they have usurped the name and place of the Divine Majesty, yet they have nothing of his nature or power in them.

Before him, i.e. in his presence, like beams shot out from his face, who is the Sun of righteousness. There is an unconceivable glory and majesty in his countenance, and in the place of his presence. In his sanctuary; or, in his holy place; where he records his name and affords his presence.

O ye kindreds of the people; or, O ye families of the people of the world. And the word families may be understood either, 1. Strictly and properly; and so it may be intimated that this great blessing of salvation by Christ should not be imparted to whole nations, but only to some persons taken out…

Into the courts of his house. But under this one part of worship he comprehends the whole worship of God; and he speaks of the worship of the New Testament under the expressions of legal worship, as the prophets elsewhere do, as Matt. 1:11, and elsewhere.

In the beauty of holiness; either in the holy place which he shall appoint to that end; or clothed with all those holy ornaments, those gifts and graces, which are necessary and required in God’s worship.

Say among the heathen: you converted Gentiles, declare this to those who yet remain in the darkness of heathenism. That the Lord reigneth; that God hath now set up his throne and kingdom in the world. And as that kingdom shall never be destroyed, but shall stand for ever, as is said, Dan.

It is a figure called prosopopoeia, whereby he signifies the great felicity of those times, which shall be such that even those lifeless creatures would testify their joy and thankfulness for it, if they were in a capacity so to do.

Before the Lord; at the presence and approach of their Lord and Maker. To judge the earth; to take to himself that power and authority which belongs to him, to set up his throne and dominion among all the nations of the earth. With his truth; or, in his faithfulness, i.e.