Bible Strands
Psalms 96:13
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses all creation to exult in anticipation of the LORD’s imminent arrival. This declaration immediately follows the command for fields and forests to sing for joy at the prospect of divine intervention.
The words — The Hebrew verb בָא (Va') translates literally as "[he is] coming," while לִ/שְׁפֹּ֪ט (li/sh.Pot) means "to judge." These terms anchor the verse’s declaration of impending divine action.
The thread — The motif of divine judgment and righteousness appears in Revelation 19:11 and 2 Timothy 4:8, where righteous evaluation and award converge. Isaiah 25:8 also intersects this theme by describing the Lord’s definitive intervention.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that all human and natural systems will be evaluated under established moral standards. It requires a reader to align present conduct with the certainty of that future reckoning.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
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.
- 2 Timothy 4:8 From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
- Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face and remove the disgrace of His people from the whole earth. For the LORD has spoken.
- Psalms 67:4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You judge the peoples justly and lead the nations of the earth. Selah
- Psalms 96:10 Declare among the nations: “The LORD reigns!” The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.
- Psalms 98:9 before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise.
- Titus 2:13 as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
- Malachi 3:1 “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:10 on the day He comes to be glorified in His saints and regarded with wonder by all who have believed, including you who have believed our testimony.