Psalms 96:1 - Exposition

O sing unto the Lord a new song (comp. Psalms 33:3 ; Psalms 98:1 ; Psalms 144:9 ; Psalms 149:1 ; Isaiah 42:10 ). This clause does not occur in 1 Chronicles 16:1-43 . It seems to belong to the second recension of the psalm, when it was recast to suit some "new" occasion. Sing unto the Lord, all the earth. So in Isaiah 42:10 , "Sing unto the Lord a new song, his praise from the end of the earth. " The psalmist at once makes known his "universalism" by calling on the whole earth to join in his song of praise (comp. Psalms 66:1 , Psalms 66:4 ). This psalm has been well called "a missionary hymn for all ages."