Psalm 96
Psalm 96 is a call to all nations and all creation to worship the Lord. It celebrates God’s sovereignty, His righteousness, and His coming judgment. This psalm invites the entire earth to sing a new song to the Lord, emphasizing His glory and greatness, and proclaiming His reign over the world. The psalm highlights themes of joy, praise, and the anticipation of God’s future reign of justice.
Psalm 96:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
3 Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.
The psalmist invites not only Israel but all the earth to worship the Lord with a new song. It emphasizes continual praise and the proclamation of God's salvation daily. God’s people are encouraged to share His glory and wonderful acts with all nations, reflecting the inclusiveness of God’s love and His desire for all peoples to know Him.
Psalm 96:4-6 (NKJV)
4 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens.
6 Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
The psalm declares the Lord’s greatness and supremacy over false gods, identifying them as mere idols. God’s creative power in making the heavens sets Him apart from all other so-called gods. His presence radiates honor, strength, and beauty, which believers encounter in His sanctuary, making Him worthy of reverence and worship.
Psalm 96:7-9 (NKJV)
7 Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Give to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts.
9 Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.
The nations are invited to acknowledge the Lord’s glory and offer Him the honor due to His name. Worshippers are encouraged to bring offerings as they enter His presence, symbolizing devotion and gratitude. The beauty of holiness reflects both God’s perfection and the purity He seeks in worshippers. The psalm calls for reverence and awe in God’s presence, reminding everyone of His majesty.
Psalm 96:10-13 (NKJV)
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns; The world also is firmly established, it shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously.”
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;
12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice
13 before the Lord. For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth.
These verses proclaim God’s sovereignty, declaring that He reigns over the entire world, which He has established with stability. The psalm anticipates God’s righteous judgment, promising fairness and truth. Creation itself is depicted as rejoicing at God’s coming, reflecting how all aspects of the world—nature and humanity—will celebrate His reign. This joyful anticipation points to a future time when God will set all things right through His righteous rule.