Psalm 96:7-9: Given His Due:
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth!
In previous blogs on Psalm 96 we saw that God’s works and underserved grace is cause for singing (verses 1-3), and He is infinitely greater than any manmade religion (verses 4-6). Now Psalm 96:7-9 teaches the proper response to the Triune God is total and lifelong devotion to Him. We understand the need for this full hearted service from the word “ascribe.” “Ascribe” in “the passage . . . would demand everyone to acknowledge the Lord Yahweh as the great king and offer such ascription of glory and greatness as is [equal] with his majesty.” [1] Accordingly, all people are expected to acknowledge God as their superior and give Him the praise He deserves.
But if God is so incredible, as verses 4-6 teach, how can we His creation give Him His due? Sadly, we cannot. [2] Is there any hope? If God is so great He justly deserves His due, and if He is not glorified He will rightly judge us. Yet, for those who believe in Jesus Christ judgment is already settled. [3] Christ perfectly ascribed to God His glory for us. [4] When we believe in Jesus His righteous works are placed on us and God sees His perfect attribution, not our poor praise. [5] Christians can be encouraged that the Holy Spirit helps us improve our ascribing to God. [6] Non-Christians can know that if they call on Jesus’ name God will see Christ’s work, and they are saved from the coming judgment.
This blog was written by Seth Dunn
[1] Gilchrist, P.R. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament Eds. R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer Jr., & B. K. Waltke, Chicago: Moody Press. 1999), Logos Bible Software 6, 368.
[2] Isaiah 64:6.
[3] Luke 23:34, Romans 4:25, 5:8.
[4] Matthew 5:17-20, Luke 24:36-49, John 10:15.
[5] Titus 3:3-8.
[6] 1 Peter 1:2, Romans 8:13.