By J.G. Bellet
Psalm 96
They continue their joy here, which shows that the Lord had not by His exhortation (Ps. 95: 7- 11) designed to check it; and here they summon the whole earth to join it. A "new song" is called for. And the Jews themselves interpret "the new songs" of Scripture to belong to the days of Messiah; that is to "the world to come," as the Apostle speaks--the power of the Son of Man. And besides, as there was a song at creation (Job 38: 7), so another and a richer song, "a new song," will usher in the kingdom or the times of refreshing and restitution, when the earth itself shall be in the liberty of glory. (Rom. 8: 21)
This Psalm is recited in 1 Chr. 16, and forms part of that beautiful composition, that sweet compound of songs and joys, which David and Israel prepared for the ark taking its rest, which was the type of the kingdom by anticipation celebrated here.
All shall be included in the closing joy. As in Rev. 5 the redeemed, the angelic companies, and all creatures in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the seas, join in it, so here, all are summoned to the millennial song, that there may be a full chorus of praise.
Psalm 97
This Psalm is another exercise of the heart of the Remnant anticipating the kingdom. It is as though they were even now bringing the First-begotten into the world the second time, or in His glory; not in His sufferings as at His first coming; and joyously they rehearse, in spirit, His discomfiture of all His foes.
But here again, as in Ps. 95: 7-11, the Lord by His Prophet breaks in on all this joy with words of admonition (vv. 10-12). He tells them that for the righteous all this light and glory is prepared; and warns them therefore to hate evil, and to cultivate tempers worthy of the coming kingdom.
Fire is to be the instrument of the divine judgments in this expected day of the Lord. The battle of the Lord is to be with burning and fuel of fire. (Isa. 9) The throne of the Ancient of days is like the fiery flame, and a fiery stream comes forth before Him in the day of this judgment. (Dan. 7) So in the vision of John, the Temple was filled with smoke, as the God of glory and power was preparing the vials of wrath. (Rev. 15)
But Zion rejoices (v. 8). There will be tabrets and harps for the righteous then. (Isa. 30: 32) For though light and gladness are only then sown for them, and not as yet reaped by them, still they can sing, as we observed already--anticipations are so sure; for "faith is the substance of things hoped for."
Psalm 98
Upon this the true Israel sing again. As it were, they use the tabret and harp, which we know, as observed above, are to be theirs, even in the day of God's judgments. His judicial righteousness is the theme of their gladness here; and again they summon all to join with them. They also chant their own salvation in the day of this judgment. For we know that they will be drawn out of many waters: like Noah they will be preserved in the very place of judgment--like Lot, drawn forth in safety from it. (See Ps. 18: 16) They will then be spared, the same day illuminating them, and consuming the enemy. (Mal. 3, 4) They will only be refined by these fires (Zech. 13)
All Scripture shows, like this Psalm, that the joy of the whole earth will follow the restoration of Zion. And the praises of the Lord will then be as "a loud noise:" for all will join in them; and there will be no rebuking of them, or silencing of them, through the unbelief of the world. There will be nothing to check, but all to swell the full concert of praise then.
Psalm 99
The same Israel of God are still occupied here, as is very evident, with the same thoughts and joys. They largely anticipate the kingdom, the forgiveness of the nation's sin according to the pattern of the divine mercy to their fathers, and then the people rendering in the temple the services of praise, in the spirit of reverend fear, from the sense of the holiness of God's house and government.
But it is not the precursory judgments that raise the joy, as we saw before, but the actual reign in Zion. For the Lord is now seated between the cherubim, at home in the midst of His people. He is "great in Zion." And His people shout His praise again, exalting the Lord at His holy hill, or place of righteous government; all the review of the past, whether they were the days of Moses and Aaron, or of Samuel, all aiding the praise. And so it will be. For every thing that will not do that shall be restrained, as we saw under Psalm 76.
Psalm 100
This Psalm calls on all the Gentile people to follow Israel into the holy house of God with praise. The sureness of His testimonies, His truth, and His mercy, are declared. And thus the mountain of the Lord's house is established, and nations are flocking to it. Many people and strong nations, according to the prophet, seek the Lord of hosts at Jerusalem. His house there is a house of prayer for all nations; and while its walls are salvation, its gates will be praise.
And here, at the close of these songs of Israel, we may again observe that Scripture teaches us that Israel will, in the day of their discipline, know these joys (See Ps. 99) It is true they will mourn like doves; they will confess the nation's sin, like Daniel or Nehemiah; they will say "my leanness, my leanness;" but they will have their joys and anticipated songs also. The Apocalypse shows us the same in principle (See Ps. 11: 16-18) For there the joy in heaven is anticipatory in the day of divine wrath and earth's destruction. And I may say, as Isaiah 60 appears to be the Spirit of Truth teaching the Remnant what the results of the Redeemer coming to Zion (see Ps. 59: 20) are to be, surely when they learn that lesson they will have abundant occasion to sing songs in prospect of the kingdom. For the same Spirit is leading their hearts, the same Spirit is weaving sorrows and joys together, the thought of their own iniquity with the thought of the Lord's salvation and kingdom, that their souls may be led into various and profitable affections.
