Psalms 96:13
before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The repetition of "he comes, for he comes" isn't just emphasis; it hints at two comings. This isn't only about God's future judgment, but also about His past and present engagement with humanity, bringing order and faithfulness.
This psalm has been calling all of creation to praise the Lord as King, emphasizing His universal reign and perfect character. The final verses build on this, calling for all the earth to rejoice because the Lord is coming to establish His righteous rule, a promise that echoes through Scripture, pointing to both His present reign through the gospel and His future, final coming.
The Bible says God 'comes, for he comes.' Why the repetition? What does this enthusiastic declaration tell us about God's arrival?
The repeated phrase "he comes, for he comes" isn't just emphasis; it's a celebration! It signals immense joy and anticipation for God's arrival to judge. This isn't a fearful announcement of doom for believers, but a thrilling proclamation that God is stepping in to set things right. It echoes the excitement of a coronation or a long-awaited reunion. This coming is the ultimate act of establishing His righteous rule.
Think of it like this:
When we hear 'judgment,' we might think of condemnation. But this psalm links it to something else entirely. What are these key qualities?
The psalm doesn't just say God will judge; it tells us how: "He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness." This is crucial. God's judgment isn't arbitrary or based on whim. It's rooted in His perfect, unchanging character.
Let's break that down:
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of the Creator God of Israel, YHWH. It is the proper name of the self-existent God who reveals Himself to His people, keeps His promises, and acts in human history.
shaphat · Hebrew Verb
The judicial act of settling a matter, vindicating the righteous, and condemning wickedness. Biblically, God’s judgment is the manifestation of His holy rule, intended to set the world right and bring justice to the oppressed.
tsedeq · Hebrew Noun (masculine)
The standard of God's holy character and law. It represents moral integrity, fairness, and rightness, describing the nature of God's actions and the way He demands His people to live.
emunah · Hebrew Noun (feminine)
Psalm 96, with its powerful declaration of God's coming judgment and faithfulness, resonates deeply within the context of the Jewish people's return from exile and rebuilding their nation. It speaks of a God who not only restores but also establishes justice universally, offering hope for a future where His righteousness reigns supreme over all.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon
The conquest of Babylon by Cyrus the Great marked a pivotal moment, leading to the eventual decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus allows return to Judah
Cyrus's decree permitted the Jewish people to return from Babylonian exile to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.
c. 516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple completed
After years of work and opposition, the Second Temple was completed, symbolizing the restoration of Jewish worship and national identity.
c. 458 BC - 432 BC
Ezra and Nehemiah's reforms
Ezra and Nehemiah led further reforms and rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem, strengthening the community and its adherence to the Law.
This passage echoes Psalm 96:13 by describing Jesus Christ returning to earth to judge with righteousness and wage war, fulfilling the prophecy of God's righteous judgment.
Isaiah 11:3-5This prophetic passage describes the Messiah's reign, emphasizing that He will judge with righteousness and faithfulness, directly aligning with the core message of Psalm 96:13.
Acts 17:31Paul directly references the coming judgment when he speaks to the Athenians, highlighting God's appointment of Jesus as the judge of the world, who will judge with righteousness.
Psalm 98:9This psalm shares the theme of God coming to judge, stating He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity, mirroring the language and sentiment of Psalm 96:13.
ellicottPsalms 96:13: "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."
(13) For he cometh, for he cometh. —Notice the striking repetition, the natural expression of gladness.
expositorsPsalms 96:1-13: "O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth."
Psalm 96:1-13 THE praise of Jehovah as King has, in the preceding psalms, chiefly celebrated His reign over Israel. But this grand coronation anthem takes a wider sweep, and hymns that kingdom as extending to all nations, and as reaching beyond men, for the joy and blessing of a renovated earth. It fails into four strophes, of which the first three contain three verses each, while the last extends to four. The…
The repetition of "he comes, for he comes" isn't just emphasis; it hints at two comings. This isn't only about God's future judgment, but also about His past and present engagement with humanity, bringing order and faithfulness.
This psalm has been calling all of creation to praise the Lord as King, emphasizing His universal reign and perfect character. The final verses build on this, calling for all the earth to rejoice because the Lord is coming to establish His righteous rule, a promise that echoes through Scripture, pointing to both His present reign through the gospel and His future, final coming.
This psalm has been calling all of creation to praise the Lord as King, emphasizing His universal reign and perfect character. The final verses build on this, calling for all the earth to rejoice because the Lord is coming to establish His righteous rule, a promise that echoes through Scripture, pointing to both His present reign through the gospel and His future, final coming.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Psalms 96:13 is available in the Sola app.
Firmness, reliability, and stability. It refers to God’s unwavering loyalty to His covenant promises, truthfulness, and dependability in all His dealings with humanity.
c. 2nd Century BC— this verse
Psalm 96 composed
This psalm, likely composed during or after the Babylonian exile, reflects a renewed hope and a broadened understanding of God's kingship over all nations.
c. 167 BC - 164 BC
Maccabean Revolt
This revolt against Seleucid rule and forced Hellenization led to a period of renewed religious fervor and a reassertion of Jewish independence.
"before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness." — The repetition of "he comes, for he comes" isn't just emphasis; it hints at two comings. This isn't only about God's future judgment, but also about His past and present engagement with humanity, b…
