Table of Contents
Background and Context
Psalm 96 is a vibrant and joyous royal psalm that celebrates the kingship of the LORD. It is an anonymous hymn, but a large portion of it appears in 1 Chronicles 16:23-33, where it forms the core of the song that David commanded Asaph and his fellow Levites to sing when the Ark of the Covenant was first brought into the tabernacle in Jerusalem. This historical setting provides a powerful context for the psalm.
The arrival of the ark, the symbol of God’s presence and rule, in the capital city was a momentous event. It was the inauguration of a new era of worship and the establishment of God’s throne in the midst of His people. This new and mighty act of God required a “new song.” The psalm is a powerful call to worship that is breathtaking in its scope. It moves from a call to Israel, to an invitation for all the nations, and finally to a summons for all of creation itself to join in a great chorus of praise for the one true King who reigns and is coming to judge the earth.
Theological Themes
This psalm is a majestic expression of God’s universal glory and His missionary heart.
The “New Song” of Salvation: The psalm opens with the summons to “Sing to the LORD a new song.” This is more than just a call for new music. A “new song” in the Bible is a response to a new, mighty act of God’s salvation. The bringing of the ark to Zion was such an act. The song it inspired is one that looks forward to the ultimate new act of salvation in the coming of the Messiah, which would require the newest song of all (see Revelation 5:9).
Worship as a Missionary Declaration: The purpose of Israel’s worship is explicitly missional. They are to sing so that they can “proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples” (verses 2-3). Worship is not a private, inward-looking activity. It is a bold, public testimony to a watching world about the greatness and uniqueness of the one true God.
The Uniqueness and Greatness of the LORD: The reason all nations should worship the LORD is that He alone is God. The psalm draws a sharp contrast between Him and all other objects of worship: “For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens” (verse 5). He is not just one god among many; He is the great Creator, worthy of all praise, honor, and glory.
Creation’s Joyful Anticipation of Judgment: The psalm culminates in a magnificent call for all of creation—heavens, earth, sea, fields, and trees—to erupt in joyful song. The reason for this cosmic celebration is the announcement that the King is coming: “for he comes, he comes to judge the earth” (verse 13). In this psalm, the final judgment is not a cause for terror, but for universal joy. It is the long-awaited moment when the righteous King will finally put the entire world to rights, judging with perfect righteousness and faithfulness.
Literary Structure and Genre
Psalm 96 is a royal enthronement psalm and a hymn of praise. Its literary structure is a series of three escalating calls to worship, each one expanding the circle of worshipers.
- Verses 1-6: A call to “all the earth” to sing a new song and proclaim God’s salvation.
- Verses 7-9: A direct call to the “families of nations” to come and ascribe glory to the LORD.
- Verses 10-13: A call for all of creation itself to rejoice because the LORD is coming to judge.
Verse by Verse Commentary on Psalm 96
Verses 1-6: Sing a New Song of God’s Greatness
“Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.”
The psalm opens with a threefold, energetic command to sing. This is not just any song, but a new song, a fresh response to a fresh revelation of God’s saving power. The invitation is global, extended to “all the earth.” The content of the song is to be a continuous proclamation of His salvation and a declaration of His glory and marvelous deeds to all nations.
The reason for this universal praise is God’s supreme greatness and uniqueness. He is to be feared above all the so-called “gods” of the nations, which are exposed as worthless idols. In contrast, the LORD is the all-powerful Creator who “made the heavens.” Splendor, majesty, strength, and glory are the attendants in His sanctuary.
Verses 7-9: Ascribe Glory and Worship in Holiness
“Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.”
The call to worship now becomes a direct invitation to the “families of nations.” The word “ascribe” is a call to acknowledge and give back to God the glory and strength that already belong to Him. This is not just a verbal acknowledgment. It is to be accompanied by action: bringing an offering and physically coming into His presence. The proper posture for this worship is in the “splendor of his holiness.” To come before a holy God requires reverence, which is expressed by the command for all the earth to “tremble before him.“
Verses 10-13: Let All Creation Rejoice
“Say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns.’ The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilan1t, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.”
This final section contains the great message that is to be proclaimed to the world: “The LORD reigns!” His reign is the basis for the world’s stability. Because He is King, He will bring His perfect justice to all peoples.
This news is so good that all of creation is summoned to join the celebration. The psalmist personifies the heavens, the earth, the sea, the fields, and the trees, calling them all to break out in jubilant song.
The reason for this cosmic party is the imminent arrival of the King. The repetition “for he comes, he comes” conveys excitement and certainty. He is coming to judge the earth. This judgment is the great hope of creation, the moment when all that is wrong will be made right, all corruption will be cleansed, and perfect order will be restored under His rule of righteousness and faithfulness.
Practical Lessons for Today
Keep Your Worship Fresh: The call to sing a “new song” reminds us that our worship should not become a stale or tired routine. We should always be looking for the new things that God is doing in our lives and in the world, and allow these fresh acts of grace to inspire fresh expressions of praise.
See Worship as a Witness: Our corporate worship is not just for our own benefit; it is a declaration to a watching world. The joy, passion, and reverence with which we worship can be a powerful testimony to the greatness of our God, making others curious about the King we serve.
Reject All Idols: The psalm draws a sharp line between the Creator and all would-be competitors. We are called to examine our own hearts and ask what “idols” we may be tempted to worship—whether it be money, success, power, or pleasure—and to turn from them to worship the one true God who made the heavens.
Look Forward to God’s Righteous Judgment: In a world filled with injustice, corruption, and pain, the promise of God’s final judgment is our greatest hope. We can long for the day when King Jesus will return to judge the earth, knowing that He will finally and perfectly put all things right. This hope should fill us not with fear, but with joyful anticipation.
Cross References
1 Chronicles 16:23-33: “Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations…” This passage records the original context for much of Psalm 96, when David instituted this song of praise as the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem.
Isaiah 42:10-12: “Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth… Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices; let the settlements of Kedar rejoice. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them shout from the mountaintops. Let them give glory to the LORD.” The prophet Isaiah issues a very similar call for a “new song” to be sung by all nations in response to the coming of the LORD’s servant.
Psalm 98:1, 7-9: “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things… Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it… for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.” Psalm 98 is a close parallel to Psalm 96, beginning with the same call for a “new song” and ending with the same vision of creation rejoicing at the coming of the righteous Judge.
Revelation 5:9: “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.'” The “new song” of heaven is the ultimate fulfillment of the hope in Psalm 96. It is a song that celebrates the finished work of Christ, the Lamb who was slain, which has created a new, international people of God.