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Psalm 96:13

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.

11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. Let the sea roar, and its fullness!
12Let the field and all that is in it exult! Then all the trees of the woods shall sing for joy
13before the LORD; for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, the peoples with his truth.
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Notice

The repeated words “for he comes” give urgency to creation’s joy: the Judge approaching the whole earth will judge with righteousness and truth.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What do you make of the trees singing for joy before the coming Judge?

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Where do you long to see judgment shaped by righteousness and truth?

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What changes when you include yourself among the peoples God will judge?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Revelation 19:11I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war.Both passages describe judgment in righteousness, and Revelation names the rider who judges as Faithful and True.
Matthew 25:32Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.Psalm 96 extends judgment to the world’s peoples; Matthew describes all nations gathered before the one who separates them.
Hebrews 10:30For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me. I will repay,” says the Lord. Again, “The Lord will judge his people.”Both name the Lord as judge, with Hebrews making explicit that his own people are subject to his judgment.
Psalm 7:8The LORD administers judgment to the peoples. Judge me, LORD, according to my righteousness, and to my integrity that is in me.Both name the LORD as judge of the peoples; Psalm 7 adds a personal plea to be judged.
Psalm 98:9Let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.Both connect singing before the LORD with his coming to judge the earth, repeating the promise of judgment with righteousness.
Isaiah 42:3He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a dimly burning wick. He will faithfully bring justice.Both describe justice carried out with integrity, while Isaiah adds care for the bruised reed and dimly burning wick.
1 Samuel 2:10Those who strive with the LORD shall be broken to pieces. He will thunder against them in the sky. “The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. He will give …Both declare that the LORD’s judgment reaches across the earth; Samuel also describes the breaking of those who oppose him.
Ecclesiastes 12:14For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.Both announce God’s coming judgment; Ecclesiastes specifies that every work, including every hidden thing, falls within its scope.
John 5:22For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son,Both speak of divine judgment; John identifies the Son as the one to whom the Father has given all judgment.
Psalm 9:8He will judge the world in righteousness. He will administer judgment to the peoples in uprightness.Both promise that God will judge the world in righteousness and administer judgment to the peoples.
Psalm 58:11so that men shall say, “Most certainly there is a reward for the righteous. Most certainly there is a God who judges the earth.”Both identify God as judge of the earth; Psalm 58 also declares a reward for the righteous.
2 Timothy 4:8From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to …Both connect the Lord’s coming with righteous judgment; Timothy also speaks of a crown for those who have loved his appearing.
Where this verse fits

Injustice and anger. praise and worship. fear for the future.

What the Bible says about anger →What the Bible says about worship →What the Bible says about fear →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Read Psalm 96:11–13 aloud beside a tree this week

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Encouragement

The earth’s joy has a reason: the character of its coming Judge. Whatever human judgments get wrong, YHWH will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his truth.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 96:13. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 96 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).