Psalm 96 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on Psalm 96 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

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King James Version

SAB comment

My comment


1 O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.

2 Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

How many gods are there?
Should we fear God?
In the next verse (verse 5) we see that the psalmist doesn't believe there is more than one god. These gods, so called by the heathen, are idols.
On fearing God, see 2 Tim. 1:7.

5 For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

6 Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7 Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

8 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

10 Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

"The world also shall be established that it shall not be moved."
The earth does not move. It doesn't revolve on its axis or orbit the sun.
Isn't it strange that between “Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth” and “he shall judge the people righteously” the psalmist gives a physics class? Further the psalmist doesn't say the earth is established, but that it shall, future tense.
We have to conclude it is strange and that it therefore is not the psalmist's intention to mention the globe, but that he here refers to the inhabitants of the earth. But even more particular to the church as they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5):

moreover, the church, in however fluctuating and unsettled a condition it may be now, sometimes in one place, and sometimes in another, yet ere long will be established on the top of the mountains, so that it shall not be moved; and the Gospel dispensation is what will remain unto the end of time, and the Gospel is an everlasting one; the ordinances of it will continue to the second coming of Christ

11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.

12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice

13 Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

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