Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
Psalm 96 is an enthronement psalm. This type of psalm was employed in worship to celebrate the unique presence of God with Israel in the temple and also to celebrate God's kingship over all creation. The presence of God was most likely symbolized by means of the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was carried into the temple in a processional and placed in the holy of holies. Bringing the Ark into the worship place was the signal to celebrate the reality of God's presence in the world. That recognition was heralded with the words "the Lord reigns" (v. 10).