Psalm 96:13
New International Version
Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.

New Living Translation
before the LORD, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
before the LORD, for He is coming—He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
     before the LORD. For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth.

New American Standard Bible
Before the LORD, for He is coming, For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, And the peoples in His faithfulness.

NASB 1995
Before the LORD, for He is coming, For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness And the peoples in His faithfulness.

NASB 1977
Before the LORD, for He is coming; For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, And the peoples in His faithfulness.

Legacy Standard Bible
Before Yahweh, for He is coming, For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness And the peoples in His faithfulness.

Amplified Bible
Before the LORD, for He is coming, For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness And the peoples in His faithfulness.

Christian Standard Bible
before the LORD, for he is coming — for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his faithfulness.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
before the LORD, for He is coming— for He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with His faithfulness.

American Standard Version
Before Jehovah; for he cometh, For he cometh to judge the earth: He will judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with his truth.

Contemporary English Version
to the LORD. He is coming to judge all people on earth with fairness and truth.

English Revised Version
Before the LORD, for he cometh; for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
in the LORD's presence because he is coming. He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and its people with his truth.

Good News Translation
when the LORD comes to rule the earth. He will rule the peoples of the world with justice and fairness.

International Standard Version
in the LORD's presence, because he is coming; indeed, he will come to judge the earth. He will judge the world fairly and its people reliably.

Majority Standard Bible
before the LORD, for He is coming—He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.

NET Bible
before the LORD, for he comes! For he comes to judge the earth! He judges the world fairly, and the nations in accordance with his justice.

New Heart English Bible
before the LORD; for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, the peoples with his truth.

Webster's Bible Translation
For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he will judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

World English Bible
before Yahweh; for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, the peoples with his truth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Before YHWH, for He has come, "" For He has come to judge the earth. He judges the world in righteousness, "" And the peoples in His faithfulness!

Young's Literal Translation
Before Jehovah, for He hath come, For He hath come to judge the earth. He judgeth the world in righteousness, And the peoples in His faithfulness!

Smith's Literal Translation
Before the face of Jehovah; for he came, for he came to judge the earth: he will judge the habitable globe in justice, and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
before the face of the Lord, because he cometh: because he cometh to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with justice, and the people with his truth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
before the face of the Lord: for he arrives. For he arrives to judge the earth. He will judge the whole world with fairness and the peoples with his truth.

New American Bible
before the LORD who comes, who comes to govern the earth, To govern the world with justice and the peoples with faithfulness.

New Revised Standard Version
before the LORD; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Before the LORD; for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth; he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In front of LORD JEHOVAH, for he comes to judge the Earth! He judges the world in righteousness and the peoples in faithfulness!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Before the LORD, for He is come; For He is come to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples in His faithfulness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth; he shall judge the world in righteousness, and the people with his truth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Sing to the LORD, All the Earth
12Let the fields exult, and all that is in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy 13before the LORD, for He is coming— He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.

Cross References
Revelation 19:11
Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war.

Acts 17:31
For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”

Romans 2:16
on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.

Matthew 25:31-32
When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. / All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

2 Timothy 4:1
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom:

John 5:22
Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son,

Revelation 20:12
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.

Hebrews 9:27
Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment,

Matthew 16:27
For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.

Isaiah 11:4
but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.

Isaiah 2:4
Then He will judge between the nations and arbitrate for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor train anymore for war.

Isaiah 42:1
“Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.

Isaiah 51:5
My righteousness draws near, My salvation is on the way, and My arms will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look for Me and wait in hope for My arm.

Isaiah 26:9
My soul longs for You in the night; indeed, my spirit seeks You at dawn. For when Your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.


Treasury of Scripture

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

he cometh

Psalm 98:9
Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

Isaiah 25:8,9
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it

Malachi 3:1,2
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts…

judge

Psalm 96:10
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.

Psalm 67:4
O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

Revelation 19:11
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

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Psalm 96
1. An exhortation to praise God
4. for his greatness
8. for his kingdom
11. for his general judgment














before the LORD
This phrase emphasizes the presence and authority of God. In Hebrew, the word for "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, often rendered as Yahweh. This name signifies God's eternal existence and His covenant relationship with His people. The phrase "before the LORD" suggests a posture of reverence and accountability, acknowledging that all actions and judgments occur under His divine oversight. Historically, this reflects the understanding that God is the ultimate judge and sovereign ruler, a theme consistent throughout the Old Testament.

for He comes
This phrase anticipates the arrival of the LORD, suggesting an imminent and active presence. The Hebrew verb used here, "bo," conveys movement and arrival, indicating that God is not distant or passive but is actively engaging with His creation. This expectation of God's coming is a recurring theme in the Psalms and prophetic literature, often associated with divine intervention and the establishment of justice. It reflects the hope and assurance that God will fulfill His promises and bring about His righteous purposes.

He comes to judge
The repetition of "He comes" underscores the certainty and importance of God's action. The word "judge" in Hebrew is "shaphat," which encompasses not only legal judgment but also governance and the establishment of order. This reflects the biblical understanding of God as the ultimate judge who discerns truth, administers justice, and restores righteousness. In the historical context, this would resonate with the Israelites' longing for divine justice amidst human corruption and oppression.

the earth
This phrase broadens the scope of God's judgment to include all of creation. The Hebrew word "erets" can mean land, earth, or world, indicating the comprehensive nature of God's dominion. This reflects the biblical worldview that God's authority extends over the entire universe, not just Israel. It underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and the universal application of His justice, affirming that all nations and peoples are accountable to Him.

He will judge the world
The repetition of the concept of judgment emphasizes its significance. The word "world" here is translated from the Hebrew "tebel," which refers to the inhabited world or the earth's population. This highlights the inclusivity of God's judgment, encompassing all humanity. It reflects the biblical teaching that God's justice is impartial and universal, transcending national and ethnic boundaries.

in righteousness
This phrase describes the nature of God's judgment. The Hebrew word "tsedeq" denotes righteousness, justice, and moral integrity. It signifies that God's judgments are based on His perfect and unchanging character. In the biblical context, righteousness is not merely legal correctness but encompasses faithfulness to God's covenant and ethical living. This assures believers that God's judgments are fair, just, and aligned with His holy nature.

and the peoples
This phrase specifies the objects of God's judgment, emphasizing the diversity and plurality of humanity. The Hebrew word "amim" refers to nations or peoples, highlighting the collective accountability of different groups before God. This reflects the biblical theme of God's concern for all nations and His desire for them to know and worship Him.

in His faithfulness
This concluding phrase underscores the reliability and trustworthiness of God's judgment. The Hebrew word "emunah" conveys faithfulness, steadfastness, and fidelity. It assures believers that God's actions are consistent with His promises and character. In the biblical narrative, God's faithfulness is a source of hope and confidence for His people, affirming that He will fulfill His covenant and bring about His redemptive purposes.

(13) For he cometh, for he cometh.--Notice the striking repetition, the natural expression of gladness.

Verse 13. - For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth (see above, ver. 10). This is given as the reason for the burst of joy. God's coming to judgment is the establishment of moral order in the place of moral disorder upon the earth, and the inauguration of a reign of love, peace, and happiness (comp. Isaiah 65:18-25). He shall judge the world with righteousness (see above, ver. 10, and comp. Psalm 9:8). The judgment which the psalmist has specially in view is, "not a retributive, but a gracious judging, by which controversies are adjusted and prevented, and the law of love introduced into the life of the people" (Hengstenberg). And the people with his truth; rather, the peoples; i.e. all the nations on the face of the earth.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
before
לִפְנֵ֤י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD,
יְהוָ֨ה ׀ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

for
כִּ֬י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

He is coming—
בָ֗א (ḇā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

He is coming
בָא֮ (ḇā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to judge
לִשְׁפֹּ֪ט (liš·pōṭ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

the earth.
הָ֫אָ֥רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

He will judge
יִשְׁפֹּֽט־ (yiš·pōṭ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

the world
תֵּבֵ֥ל (tê·ḇêl)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8398: The earth, the globe, its inhabitants, a particular land

in righteousness
בְּצֶ֑דֶק (bə·ṣe·ḏeq)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6664: The right, equity, prosperity

and the peoples
וְ֝עַמִּ֗ים (wə·‘am·mîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

in His faithfulness.
בֶּאֱמוּנָתֽוֹ׃ (be·’ĕ·mū·nā·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 530: Firmness, steadfastness, fidelity


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OT Poetry: Psalm 96:13 Before Yahweh (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 96:12
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