Psalms 96

This psalm calls the whole earth to sing to the LORD and to tell every nation about His glory. It contrasts the empty idols of the nations with the Creator who made the heavens. It ends with all creation rejoicing because the LORD is coming to judge the world in righteousness and faithfulness.

Psalms 96:1

The psalm opens with a call to sing a fresh song to the LORD. The invitation reaches beyond Israel to all the earth. God’s saving work is always worth new praise, and no one is left out of the invitation.

BSA: new (“fresh, recently created”): The song is not worn-out routine but praise that rises fresh from what God is doing. all (“everything, the whole”): The call to sing is meant for the entire earth, not one nation.

See also: Psalm 98:1; Revelation 5:9.

Psalms 96:2

Praise here is not private. To bless His name is to honor all that He is, and to proclaim His salvation is to tell good news. This is to go on every day, not only on special occasions.

BSA: proclaim (“bear tidings, announce the good news of”): Singing turns into announcing; God’s rescue is news to be told. salvation (“deliverance, victory, and prosperity”): God’s salvation is rescue and wholeness, not only a future hope.

Hebrew: בַּשְּׂרוּ (basseru, H1319) — “announce good news.” This Hebrew verb is the root behind the idea of ‘gospel.’ The psalm already speaks of salvation as good news to be carried.

Psalms 96:3

The singers are sent outward. God’s glory and His wonderful deeds are to be told among the nations, to people who do not yet know Him. His works are the evidence that He is worth knowing.

BSA: wonderful (“marvellous, amazing”): God’s deeds go beyond the ordinary and call for amazement.

See also: Matthew 28:19; Psalm 67:2.

Psalms 96:4

The reason for praise is who God is. He is great and deserves the highest praise. Reverent awe is due to Him above every power that people worship, because none can compare with Him.

BSA: feared (“revered, awed”): This is not terror but deep respect before One who is above all.

Psalms 96:5

The gods of the nations are idols, empty and unable to do anything. Over against them stands the LORD, who made the heavens. The Maker of everything stands in stark contrast to things made by human hands.

BSA: idols (“worthless, vain”): Idols are nothing; they have no real power or life.

Hebrew: אֱלִילִים (elilim, H457) — “nothings, worthless things.” The word sounds like the Hebrew for ’not’ or ’little,’ so it is a pointed word-play: the gods are ’nothings.’.

See also: Isaiah 40:18-20; Jeremiah 10:10-12.

Psalms 96:6

Before the LORD stand splendor and majesty, as if they were attendants at His throne. His sanctuary is filled with strength and beauty. Worship is meeting the One whose presence is glorious beyond measure.

BSA: sanctuary (“holy place, temple”): The place of worship is where God’s glory is met. beauty (“loveliness, glorious appearance”): God’s presence is not only powerful but lovely.

Psalms 96:7

Now the nations themselves are addressed. They are told to give the LORD what is His: glory and strength. We do not add anything to God; we simply acknowledge and declare what He already is.

BSA: Ascribe (“give, acknowledge”): Worship is giving God the credit that is rightly His. families (“clans, tribes”): Every family of humanity is invited, not just one people.

See also: Psalm 29:1-2.

Psalms 96:8

The glory due His name means the honor that matches who He is. People are to come with an offering into His courts. Worship involves the whole person: the voice, the gift, and the coming near.

BSA: due (“His identity, character”): The honor owed to God is measured by His own character, so it can never be too much. offering (“a gift, sacrifice”): Worship includes bringing something of ourselves, not only words.

Psalms 96:9

To worship in the splendor of holiness is to come before God in His own pure beauty, set apart from everything common. The right response is to bow low and tremble, a deep reverence that fills the whole earth.

BSA: Worship (“bow down, prostrate”): The word pictures bowing to the ground before a king. tremble (“twist, whirl, fear”): It describes a shaking before His presence, showing reverence that is felt in the body.

Hebrew: חִילוּ (khilu, H2342) — “writhe, tremble.” The verb can describe the pains of childbirth or the shaking of the earth, so it pictures a deep, bodily awe.

Psalms 96:10

The message for the nations is simple: the LORD reigns. His rule gives the world stability, and He will judge fairly. For the oppressed, God’s coming rule is good news, because His justice is straight and without favoritism.

BSA: reigns (“rules, is King, has dominion”): God is King now and His rule is real, even where it is not yet acknowledged. equity (“uprightness, fairness, righteousness”): His judgments are level and fair to all.

See also: Psalm 93:1; Revelation 11:15.

Psalms 96:11

Creation is invited to join the praise. Sky, earth, and sea are called to be glad, with the sea’s roar becoming a shout of joy. All creation seems to wait for its Maker to put things right.

BSA: resound (“roar, thunder”): Even the sea’s noise becomes praise. glad (“rejoice, have joy”): The heavens are called to share in a joy that is more than quiet approval.

See also: Romans 8:19-21.

Psalms 96:12

The joy spreads over the fields and everything in them, and then the trees of the forest sing. Nothing in creation is left out. The picture is of a world finally glad that its rightful King is near.

BSA: exult (“jump for joy, rejoice triumphantly”): The joy is bursting and triumphant, not hushed. sing for joy (“shout, overcome with joy”): The trees are pictured as so full of joy that they cry out.

See also: Isaiah 55:12.

Psalms 96:13

The reason for all the joy is that the LORD is coming. His judgment is a cause for gladness, because He will set the world right in righteousness and truth. Christians read this as pointing to the return of Christ.

BSA: coming (“approaching, drawing near”): The LORD is on His way, so the hope is certain and not distant. faithfulness (“trustworthiness, loyalty”): He judges by being true to His word and His people.

See also: Psalm 98:9; Acts 17:31.