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)
The repetition of "for he comes, for he comes" isn't just for emphasis; it points to a dual arrival. This isn't solely about a future judgment day, but also the continuous, unfolding presence of God's reign establishing righteousness and faithfulness in the world now.
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 psalm is a grand call for all creation to sing a "new song" to the Lord as King, celebrating His coming reign over all nations. The repeated phrase "for he comes" emphasizes the certainty and immense significance of God's arrival, not just as a king but as a righteous judge who will bring order and truth to the entire earth. This climactic declaration serves as the ultimate reason for the universal rejoicing and worship described throughout the psalm, looking forward to both His present reign and His future final judgment.
God is coming! But not just to rule, but to judge. This might sound scary, but for the psalmist, it's a cause for immense joy. What's going on here?
The psalm builds to a powerful climax in verse 13. Notice the repetition: 'for he comes, for he comes.' This isn't a threat, but an eager proclamation! The ancient Israelites, and later Christians, saw this 'coming' as both a historical event and a future hope.
A Reign Established
This 'coming' refers to God establishing His reign and authority over all creation. It's the moment when His rightful rule, often ignored or challenged, is finally and visibly asserted.
Righteous and Faithful Judgment
The reason for the joy is how God judges: 'in righteousness, and his peoples in his faithfulness.' This isn't arbitrary power, but a judgment rooted in His perfect character. He judges with perfect justice and according to His unwavering promises to His people.
God's judgment is described as 'righteousness' and 'faithfulness.' These aren't just abstract ideas; they are the very bedrock of His character and His kingdom.
Righteousness: The Standard of His Reign
'He will judge the world in righteousness.' This means God's judgment is perfectly aligned with His holy nature. It's not swayed by popular opinion, personal bias, or external pressure. His standard is absolute perfection. This righteousness is also the foundation of His kingdom – a place where everything is as it should be.
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Faithfulness: The Promise of His Presence
'And the peoples in his faithfulness.' This points to God's commitment to His covenant people. Even as He judges the world, His faithfulness means He upholds His promises to those who belong to Him. His judgment is carried out with His people's ultimate good and redemption in view.
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)
Firmness, reliability, and stability. It refers to God’s unwavering loyalty to His covenant promises, truthfulness, and dependability in all His dealings with humanity.
This psalm, likely reflecting on the return from exile and the rebuilding of the Temple, anticipates God's ultimate kingship and judgment, a theme that resonated deeply with a people rediscovering their identity and God’s faithfulness after national catastrophe.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus the Great issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Judeans, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This marks the beginning of the return from Babylonian exile.
c. 516 BC— this verse
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
The returned Judeans complete the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. This event is a significant moment of restoration and a renewed focus on God's presence and covenant.
c. 444 BC
Ezra and Nehemiah's Reforms
Ezra and Nehemiah lead spiritual and social reforms in Jerusalem, re-establishing covenant faithfulness and community order among the returned exiles.
c. 2nd Century BC
Hellenistic Influence Grows
Increasing cultural and political influence of Hellenistic empires (Seleucid and Ptolemaic) on Judea, leading to tensions between adherence to tradition and assimilation.
c. 167 BC
Maccabean Revolt Begins
The Maccabean Revolt erupts against Seleucid oppression and forced Hellenization, a significant struggle for religious and national identity.
This passage directly reiterates the theme of God's righteous and faithful judgment over the world, reinforcing the core message of Psalm 96:13.
Isaiah 11:3-5This prophecy describes the Messiah's reign characterized by righteousness and faithfulness, directly paralleling the attributes of the coming judge mentioned in Psalm 96:13.
Acts 17:31This New Testament passage explicitly states that God has appointed a day to judge the world in righteousness through Jesus Christ, echoing the prophetic pronouncement of Psalm 96:13.
Romans 8:19-22This passage speaks of creation groaning and awaiting its future redemption and liberation, a concept that resonates with the universal scope of God's judgment and the establishment of righteousness described in 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 "for he comes, for he comes" isn't just for emphasis; it points to a dual arrival. This isn't solely about a future judgment day, but also the continuous, unfolding presence of God's reign establishing righteousness and faithfulness in the world now.
This psalm is a grand call for all creation to sing a "new song" to the Lord as King, celebrating His coming reign over all nations. The repeated phrase "for he comes" emphasizes the certainty and immense significance of God's arrival, not just as a king but as a righteous judge who will bring order and truth to the entire earth. This climactic declaration serves as the ultimate reason for the universal rejoicing and worship described throughout the psalm, looking forward to both His present reign and His future final judgment.
This psalm is a grand call for all creation to sing a "new song" to the Lord as King, celebrating His coming reign over all nations. The repeated phrase "for he comes" emphasizes the certainty and immense significance of God's arrival, not just as a king but as a righteous judge who will bring order and truth to the entire earth. This climactic declaration serves as the ultimate reason for the universal rejoicing and worship described throughout the psalm, looking forward to both His present reign and His future final judgment.
"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 "for he comes, for he comes" isn't just for emphasis; it points to a dual arrival. This isn't solely about a future judgment day, but also the continuous, unfolding presence of God'…
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Last reviewed October 2026