Before Hashem, for He will have arrived to judge the earth.
Earlier (96:13), the verse concludes with a dual Ki Va, “He will have arrived”. This is because (Ibn Yachya) Hashem’s arrival would serve a dual purpose: the redemption of His people who have lived in exile for thousands of years; and Hashem would also punish those nations who took advantage of our weakened state. The Malbim explains that Hashem will first manifest Himself in nature to demonstrate that what the world thinks is the law of nature is really Hashem’s manipulation of the world to serve His purpose. Second, Hashem will judge the world and the people will have to answer for their deeds. We must remember that the nations of the world do not represent the “standard” of ethics and morality. Even those nations who do not openly persecute the Jews fail dismally in the areas of ethics and morality. While they do not have a Torah to guide them, there are still basic levels of human decency and integrity that they must uphold. Hashem will judge them for those as well.
