When special events are scheduled to happen, often those planning these events will have music written for the celebrations. We see this frequently at political rallies and conventions. One real famous song used for a politician and campaign was Happy Days Are Here Again which Franklin Roosevelt used during his campaign during the Depression. We have music for graduations, weddings, and other big events. Our psalm for this week was a song written to celebrate a special event. Let’s look at this celebratory psalm.
Psalm 96 was written to celebrate the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant by King David into the City of Jerusalem, and was possibly written by him, as well. This was a momentous event, and worthy of a great celebration. For many years, the Ark of the Covenant had been in the hands of the Philistines, Israel’s pagan and idol worshiping enemies. Then when it was returned into the Israelites possession, it stayed in the house of a Hebrew named Abinadab for about twenty years (I Samuel 7:1-2). Finally David decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem, his capital city. This was not going to the great Temple in Jerusalem, as that was not built yet. David would be making plans for this later, and his son Solomon would actually be the one to build that. At this time, the Ark was housed in the Tabernacle, which was a tent-like structure. Yet this was a great time of celebration, especially for King David, as he loved the Lord, and wanted to ensure that the Ark of the Covenant was safe and in a place of honor.
On this day of celebration, King David wanted all of the people of Israel to bring praise to God. He wanted them to sing forth, as the Ark was back in their land, and was now coming to the capital. It was not being held by their pagan enemies, and since it was now coming to Jerusalem, it would hopefully never be in threat of that again. Not only should Israel praise the Lord, but David proclaims that the whole earth should, as well, along with all nature.
Genuine praise includes a testimony to others of God’s plan of salvation (vs. 2). Because God is so great we cannot help but tell others about Him. We should tell of His marvelous deeds to all people. David certainly spent his whole life telling others about the marvelous works of Yahweh, and how He had saved him from his sins. Certainly on a day like this, when the Ark was returning to His people, and to the great city of Jerusalem, David wanted to proclaim the might and power of the Lord.
It was important to David that everyone knew that Yahweh was greater than any of the false gods of the Philistines and other surrounding nations. Of course, none of their false gods really existed. There was actually no true deity of Baal, Astarte, Dagon, or any of the other myriads of pagan gods and goddesses they worshiped. However, since these pagans believed in them, David wanted them to know that beyond any doubt, Yahweh was above and totally superior to their idols. He, alone, was God, and their gods were nothing (vs. 4-5).
Today there are still some religions where people bow down to false, pagan gods, which are in reality demonic spirits. Most of the world is deep into false religions, whether they have actual idols they bow down to or not. They follow after ungodly philosophies and beliefs that reject Jesus, salvation in His Name alone, and belief in His Word, the Bible. However, one day, when the Lord Jesus returns, they will all finally know and acknowledge His Glory.
David continued on in this psalm by describing the beauty, honor, and majesty of the sanctuary where the Ark of the Covenant would rest in the Tabernacle (vs. 6). A sanctuary is a holy place, where God’s people can find refuge and safety. This world has many “sanctuaries”, places where they go when searching for a place of safety. However, they will find them all ineffective and useless. There is only one place that is a true sanctuary, a true place of refuge and safety, and that is with the Lord Jesus Christ. Every place else is futile.
As our Scripture closes, let us follow the words of King David, and worship the Lord God (vs. 7-9). Be humble before Him, and bring an offering of praise. Give the Lord Jesus the glory that is due His Name!
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