Psalms

Chapter 96

Sing to the LORD, All the Earth

This psalm is a global summons to worship the LORD as King and Creator. It calls all the earth to sing a new song, bless his name, and proclaim his salvation among the nations because his greatness surpasses every false god. The chapter then widens still further, summoning the families of the peoples and even the created order itself to rejoice, because the LORD is coming to judge the world in righteousness and truth.

Psalm 96 is a missionary enthronement psalm. It joins praise, proclamation, and hope for judgment, teaching that the LORD's reign is good news not only for Israel but for the nations and for creation itself.

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Psalms 96

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vv. 1-13

Sing to the LORD, All the Earth

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S¹ing to the LORD a new song; ²Sing to the LORD, bless His name; ³Declare His glory among the nations, ⁴For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; ⁵For all the gods of the nations are idols, ⁶Splendor and majesty are before Him;

⁷Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations, ⁸Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; ⁹Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness; ¹⁰Declare among the nations: “The LORD reigns!”

¹¹Let the heavens be glad ¹²Let the fields exult, ¹³will sing for joy before the LORD,

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01vv. 1-13Sing to the LORD, All the EarthThe psalm begins by summoning all the earth to sing a new song to the LORD, bless his name, and announce his salvation day after day. It commands God's glory and wonders to be declared among the nations, because he alone is great, worthy of fear, and the Maker of the heavens, unlike the idols of the peoples. The nations are then urged to ascribe glory to the LORD, bring offerings, and tremble before him as his reign is announced. Finally, heaven, earth, sea, field, and forest are called to rejoice because the LORD comes to judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.