Psalms 96:3 — Word Study
WLCסַפְּר֣וּ בַגּוֹיִ֣ם כְּבוֹד֑וֹ בְּכָל־ הָֽ֝עַמִּ֗ים נִפְלְאוֹתָֽיו׃
BSADeclareçâphar [make known, proclaim] His glorykâbôwd [great honor, splendor] among the nationsgôwy [in the midst of, Gentile peoples, heathen] His wonderspâlâʼ among allkôl [to, every, the whole of] peoplesʻam [nations, people groups]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| סַפְּר֣וּ | recount | Verb, Piel, imperative second person masculine plural |
| בַגּוֹיִ֣ם | among the nations | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| כְּבוֹד֑וֹ | glory his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| בְּכָל־ | among all | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| הָֽ֝עַמִּ֗ים | the peoples | Particle, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| נִפְלְאוֹתָֽיו׃ | wonders his | Verb niphal participle (active) feminine plural common, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all peoples. |
| KJV | Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. |
| ASV | Declare his glory among the nations, His marvellous works among all the peoples. |
| YLT | Declare among nations His honour, Among all the peoples His wonders. |
| WEB | Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. |
| BBE | Make clear his glory to the nations, and his wonders to all the peoples. |
Where they part company is סַפְּר֣וּ — see How Translations Differ.
The main verb leads the sentence, with two phrases elaborating on what and where to declare, creating a clear directive structure.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbסָפַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 96:3
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Call to Worshipgenerated
Psalm 96:3 is part of a song that encourages the people to sing praises to the LORD. The psalmist emphasizes declaring God's glory and wonderful deeds to all nations, highlighting the universal nature of God's majesty and the call for all peoples to recognize His greatness. This psalm reflects a theme found throughout the Scriptures, where God's people are called to share His works and character with the world, as seen in other passages like Psalm 22:27 and Isaiah 49:6.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 22:27 | All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him. |
| 2 | Psalm 72:18–19 | Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. |
| 3 | Psalm 117:1–2 | Praise the LORD, all you nations! Extol Him, all you peoples! |
| 4 | Isaiah 19:23–25 | In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt, and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. |
| 5 | Isaiah 49:6 | He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — סַפְּר֣וּ, sa.pe.Rugenerated
The verb סָפַר (safar) means to recount or declare, often used in the context of recording or proclaiming information. It is a Piel imperative, indicating a command to the audience to actively engage in this act of proclamation.
This word carries the connotation of making known something significant, emphasizing the importance of sharing God's glory and deeds with others. The use of the imperative form underscores the urgency and necessity of this declaration.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the phrase Declare His glory.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb סַפְּר֣וּ governs the entire verse, directing the action of declaring. The structure of the sentence emphasizes the call to action, with prepositional phrases elaborating on the scope of the declaration.
The phrase בַגּוֹיִ֣ם specifies where this declaration should take place, indicating that it is to be made among the nations. The sentence is structured to highlight the importance of both the subject (God's glory) and the audience (the nations).
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, סַפְּר֣וּ is translated as ἀναγγείλατε (anaggeilate), which means to announce or proclaim. This choice reflects a similar emphasis on making known God's glory, aligning with the Hebrew intent while using a Greek term that conveys the act of proclamation.
This translation choice indicates a continuity in the call to share God's deeds, as both the Hebrew and Greek texts emphasize the importance of public declaration.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 96:3 calls on the people to declare God's glory and wonderful deeds to all nations. This psalm emphasizes the importance of sharing God's greatness with everyone, highlighting that His works are worthy of recognition by all peoples.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Declaring God's glory involves making known His greatness, majesty, and the wonderful things He has done, inviting others to recognize and honor Him.
Proclaiming God's deeds among the nations is essential because it spreads awareness of His power and love, encouraging others to worship Him.
We can share God's glory by living in a way that reflects His character, speaking about His works, and encouraging others to recognize His presence in their lives.
Examples of God's wonderful deeds include His creation, miracles, acts of salvation, and His faithfulness throughout history.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I actively declare God's glory in my community?
- How have I experienced God's wonderful deeds in my life that I can share with others?
- What are some creative ways to proclaim God's greatness to those around me?
- Why do you think it is important for all nations to hear about God's glory?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 96:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleDeclare his glory among the Heathen,.... What a glorious Person the Messiah is; the brightness of his Father's glory; having all the perfections of deity in him; how the glory of God appears in him,
Read John Gill on Psalms 96 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryDeclare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people - Hebrew, peoples (Isaiah 2:3).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 96 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleYou who shall be called out of all the heathen nations to the knowledge of God and Christ, publish this glorious and wonderful work amongst all the heathen nations to whom you belong or may come.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 96 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 96:3 Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.Ver. 3. Declare his glory] Heb. Cipher it up in the particulars, that God be no loser by you. His wonders among all people] There is a world of wonders in the work of man’ s redemption by Christ; and all other mercies meet in this, as the lines in the centre, streams in the fountain.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 96 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 3. Declare his glory among the heathen.] The heathen do not know the true God: as his being and attributes are at the foundation of all religion, these are the first subjects of instruction for the Gentile world. Declare, ספרו sapperu, detail, number out his glory, כבודו kebodo, his splendour and excellence. His wonders among all people.] Declare also to the Jews his wonders, נפלאותיו niphleothaiv, his miracles. Dwell on the works which he shall perform in Judea. The miracles which Christ wrought among the Jews were full proof that he was not only the Messiah, but the mighty power of God.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 96 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges3. Tell of his glory among the nations, His marvellous works among all the peoples. Cp. Isaiah 66:18; and see note on Psalms 9:1.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 96 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleDeclare his glory among the heathen - Among the nations; the people who are not Hebrews. The meaning is, Let it be proclaimed in all lands, among all people.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 96 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all peoples.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.
Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.
Tell the nations about his splendor! Tell all the nations about his amazing deeds!
Tyndale line
Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
Declare his glory among the nations, His marvellous works among all the peoples.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.
Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
Declare his glory among all nations, and his wonders among all people.
Strictly literal
Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all the peoples.
Declare among nations His honour, Among all the peoples His wonders.
Declare His glory among nations, || His wonders among all the peoples.
Relate among the nations his honor, among all the people his wonders.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all the nations.
From the Latin
A fire shall go before him, and shall burn his enemies round about.
Simplified
Declare his glorious acts among the nations, the amazing things he does among all peoples.
Make clear his glory to the nations, and his wonders to all the peoples.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in this verse, with all six words matched between the two texts. This alignment suggests a strong consistency in the transmission of this psalm across different traditions.
סַפְּר֣וּ בַגּוֹיִ֣ם כְּבוֹד֑וֹ בְּכָל־ הָֽ֝עַמִּ֗ים נִפְלְאוֹתָֽיו׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 96:3
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
סָפַר (safar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to count or recount, with various forms indicating actions like declaring or rehearsing. The noun form סֹפֵר (sofer) refers to a scribe or secretary. The entries highlight its use in contexts of enumeration and record-keeping, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.
סָפַר 107 vb. count, Pi. recount, relate
Qal 27
count things, to learn their number
number = take account of, carefully observe and consider, reckon
Niph. be counted, numbered
Pi. 67 recount, rehearse, declare
Pu. be recounted, related, rehearsed
base
סֹפֵר, סוֹפֵר n.m. enumerator, muster-officer, secretary, scribe
base
H5608a סָפַר count, Pi. recount, relate .. count things, to learn their number
. number = take account of, carefully observe and consider, reckon
. be counted, numbered
. recount, rehearse, declare
. be recounted, related, rehearsed
H5608b סֹפֵר, סוֹפֵר enumerator, muster-officer, secretary, scribe
5608 caphar saw-far'
a primitive root; properly, to score with a mark as a tally
or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to
enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate:--commune,
(ac-)count; declare, number, + penknife, reckon, scribe, shew
forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer.
סָפַר (sa.phar) — to recount.
v
1) to count, recount, relate
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to count (things)
1a2) to number, take account of, reckon
1b) (Niphal) to be counted, be numbered
1c) (Piel) to recount, rehearse, declare
1c1) to recount (something), rehearse
1c2) to talk
1c3) to count exactly or accurately
1d) (Pual) to be recounted, be rehearsed, be related
סֹפֵר (so.pher) — secretary.
1) enumerator, muster-officer, secretary, scribe
1a) enumerator, muster-officer, secretary
1b) learned man, scribe
Aramaic equivalent: sa.pher (סָפִר "scribe" H5613)
V-Piel-Impv-2mp — Verb · Piel · imperative second person masculine pluralHVpv2mp
גּוֹי (goy) refers to a nation or people, often indicating non-Hebrew groups, but can also encompass descendants of Abraham and Israel. It may figuratively describe a swarm of locusts or animals. The plural form, גּוֹיִם (goyim), is noted as a proper noun referring to the people of Goim, specifically mentioned in Genesis 14:1.
גּוֹי 661 n.m. nation, people
base
גּוֹיִם n.pr.gent. Tid‛al king of Goim
base
H1471a גּוֹי nation, people H1471b גּוֹיִם n. pr. gent. Tid‛al king of Goim
1471 gowy go'-ee
rarely (shortened) goy {go'-ee}; apparently from the same
root as 1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation;
hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a
flight of locusts:--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
see HEBREW for 01465
גּוֹי (goy) — nation.
1) nation, people
1a) nation, people
1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people
1a2) of descendants of Abraham
1a3) of Israel
1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)
גּוֹיִם (go.yim) — Goiim.
People descended from Goy(?), first mentioned at Gen.14.1
§ Goyim (Tidgal, king of)
גּוֹי (goy) — Gentile.
1) nation, people
1a) nation, people
1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people
1a2) of descendants of Abraham
1a3) of Israel
1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.)
1c) Goyim? = "nations"
Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)
גּוֹי (goy) — (Harosheth)-hagoyim.
Goyim (Tidgal, king of)
Combined with cha.ro.shet (חֲרֹ֫שֶׁת "Harosheth" H2800)
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHRd/Ncmpa
na'-shunz.
See GENTILES; GOIIM; HEATHEN; TABLE OF NATIONS.
כָּבוֹד (kabowd) refers to concepts of abundance, honour, and glory. It encompasses external splendor, dignity of position, and reputation, as well as the inner nobility of a person. The term can denote both the weightiness of glory and the reverence due to someone. The entries consistently emphasize its positive connotations.
כָּבוֹד n.m. and f. abundance, honour, glory
abundance, riches
honour, splendor, glory, of external condition and circumstances
honour, dignity of position
honour, reputation, of character
my honour, poet. of the seat of honour in the inner man, the noblest part of man
honour, reverence, glory, as due to one or ascribed to one
glory as the object, of honour, reverence and glorifying
base
H3519 כָּבוֹד abundance, honour, glory . abundance, riches
. honour, splendor, glory, of external condition and circumstances
. honour, dignity of position
. honour, reputation, of character
. my honour, poet. of the seat of honour in the inner man, the noblest part of man
. honour, reverence, glory, as due to one or ascribed to one
. glory as the object, of honour, reverence and glorifying
3519 kabowd kaw-bode'
rarely kabod {kaw-bode'}; from 3513; properly, weight, but
only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or
copiousness:--glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able).
see HEBREW for 03513
כָּבוֹד (ka.vod) — glory.
1) glory, honour, glorious, abundance
1a) abundance, riches
1b) honour, splendour, glory
1c) honour, dignity
1d) honour, reputation
1e) honour, reverence, glory
1f) glory
N-cs | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.
(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.
(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).
עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.
עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people
a people, nation
= smaller units
= common people
people in gen., persons
phrases
base
[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)
base
H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)
5971 `am am
from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a
tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or
attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,
people.
see HEBREW for 06004
עַם (am) — people.
: people/nation
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — kinsman.
kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Ammi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — People's (Gate).
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.
Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Amaw.
This name means nation, people
עַם (am) — people: soldiers.
: soldiers/army
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — people: creatures.
: creatures
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
Art | N-mp — Particle · noun common masculine plural absoluteHTd/Ncmpa
The Hebrew word פָּלָא (pala') is a verb that conveys the idea of being extraordinary or wonderful. It can describe actions that are difficult to perform or understand, as well as marvelous acts of God, particularly in judgment and redemption. The word can also refer to making special offerings or showing oneself in a marvelous way.
[פָּלָא] 71 vb. denom. Niph. etc., be surpassing, extraordinary
Niph.
be beyond one's power, difficult to do
be difficult to understand
be extraordinary, wonderful
as subst., marvellous things
= wonderful acts of י׳ in judgement and redemption
Pi. make a special votive offering
Hiph.
do a hard or difficult thing
make wonderful, do wondrously
of God working wonders in doing
Hithp. thou dost shew thyself marvellous (act inexplicably) against me
base
H6381 פָּלָא vb. denom. Niph. etc., be surpassing, extraordinary . . be beyond one's power, difficult to do
. be difficult to understand
. . be extraordinary, wonderful
. as subst., marvellous things
. = wonderful acts of י׳ in judgement and redemption
. make a special votive offering
. . do a hard or difficult thing
. make wonderful, do wondrously
. of God working wonders in doing
. thou dost shew thyself marvellous (act inexplicably) against me
6381 pala' paw-law'
a primitive root; properly, perhaps to separate, i.e.
distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be
(causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful:--accomplish,
(arise...too, be too) hard, hidden, things too high, (be, do,
do a, shew) marvelous(-ly, -els, things, work), miracles,
perform, separate, make singular, (be, great, make)
wonderful(-ers, -ly, things, works), wondrous (things,
works, -ly).
פָּלָא (pa.la) — to wonder.
1) to be marvellous, be wonderful, be surpassing, be extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be beyond one's power, be difficult to do
1a2) to be difficult to understand
1a3) to be wonderful, be extraordinary
1a3a) marvellous (participle)
1b) (Piel) to separate (an offering)
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to do extraordinary or hard or difficult thing
1c2) to make wonderful, do wondrously
1d) (Hithpael) to show oneself wonderful or marvellous
V-Niphal | Suff — Verb niphal participle (active) feminine plural common · suffixHVNrfpc/Sp3ms