Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Psalms 96
Metaphysically Interpreting Psalms 96:1-13
96:1Oh sing unto Jehovah a new song:
Sing unto Jehovah, all the earth.
96:2Sing unto Jehovah, bless his name;
Show forth his salvation from day to day.
96:3Declare his glory among the nations,
His marvellous works among all the peoples.
96:4For great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised:
He is to be feared above all gods.
96:5For all the gods of the peoples are idols;
But Jehovah made the heavens.
96:6Honor and majesty are before him:
Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.96:7Ascribe unto Jehovah, ye kindreds of the peoples,
Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength.
96:8Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name:
Bring an offering, and come into his courts.
96:9Oh worship Jehovah in holy array:
Tremble before him, all the earth.96:10Say among the nations, Jehovah reigneth:
The world also is established that it cannot be moved:
He will judge the peoples with equity.
96:11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof;
96:12Let the field exult, and all that is therein;
Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy
96:13Before Jehovah; for he cometh,
For he cometh to judge the earth:
He will judge the world with righteousness,
And the peoples with his truth.
September 8, 1940: Psalms 96:1-13
What is the “new song” that we are to sing unto Jehovah? It is the joy we express when we realize that our faith in God is meant to help us over the rough places in our daily path, or “show forth his [Jehovah's] salvation from day to day.”
Interpret the line “Sing unto Jehovah, all the earth.” The words “all the earth” refer to the various departments of man's being, such as his physical body, his mental or intellectual equipment, and his spiritual or highest life energies.
What are the “nations” among whom the glory of Jehovah is to be shown? These are the aggregations of thought in man, all of which are to be brought into harmony with Truth. Harmony is represented in this lesson by singing.
In the 96th Psalm how is exaltation aroused? By man's rendering praise and thanksgiving.
Explain the line “All the gods of the peoples are idols.” The ruling impulses of the various departments of man's being are the “gods,” and where these ruling impulses are of a low order, as in self-seeking, the “gods of the peoples are idols”; that is, they lack the essence of life.
What is the significance of the words “ascribe unto Jehovah” in the 7th verse of the extract selected for today's study? Both these repetitions imply that man's body, soul, and spirit are to be included in the regenerating process of uplift.
What is meant to be understood by the personification of the forces of nature in the latter part of the text? Omnipresence, the presence of life in all things, is intended to be understood by the “glad” heavens, the rejoicing earth, the exulting field, the roaring sea, the singing, joyful trees. All things have the power to express life and good.
Does righteous judgment reclaim the world? Jehovah or the Spirit of righteousness lifts up and reclaims all that it touches. This Spirit is latent in the world, and man's work is to make it active.
When are the people judged with “his truth”? When they live according to the standard of Truth, they are able to be judged by it.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 11-30-2013
