1Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim His salvation day after day. 3Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all peoples. 4For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. 5For all the gods of the nations are idols, but it is the LORD who made the heavens. 6Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty fill His sanctuary. 7Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 8Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and enter His courts. 9Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth. 10Declare among the nations: “The LORD reigns!” The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity. 11Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea resound, and all that fills it. 12Let the fields exult, and all that is in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy 13before the LORD, for He is coming— He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
A call to all people to praise God. (1-9) God's government and judgment. (10-13) 1-9 When Christ finished his work on earth, and was received into his glory in heaven, the church began to sing a new song unto him, and to bless his name. His apostles and evangelists showed forth his salvation among the heathen, his wonders among all people. All the earth is here summoned to worship the Lord. We must worship him in the beauty of holiness, as God in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself. Glorious things are said of him, both as motives to praise and matter of praise. 10-13 We are to hope and pray for that time, when Christ shall reign in righteousness over all nations. He shall rule in the hearts of men, by the power of truth, and the Spirit of righteousness. His coming draws nigh; this King, this Judge standeth before the door, but he is not yet come. The Lord will accept the praises of all who seek to promote the kingdom of Christ. The sea can but roar, and how the trees of the wood can show that they rejoice we know not; but He that searches the heart knows what is the mind of the Spirit, and understands the words, the broken language of the weakest. Christ will come to judge the earth, to execute just vengeance on his enemies, and to fulfil his largest promises to his people. What then are we? Would that day be welcome to us? If this be not our case, let us now begin to prepare to meet our God, by seeking the pardon of our sins, and the renewal of our souls to holiness.