“Sing to the Lord a new song;
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.”

“Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.”

“For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him,
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.”

Call to All Creation to Worship

“Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples,
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of His name;
Bring an offering and come into His courtyards.”

“Worship the Lord in holy attire;
Tremble before Him, all the earth.
Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved;
He will judge the peoples fairly.’”

Creation Joins in Praise

“May the heavens be joyful, and the earth rejoice;
May the sea roar, and all it contains;
May the field be jubilant, and all that is in it.
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy”

“Before the Lord, for He is coming,
For He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
And the peoples in His faithfulness.”

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Context and Meaning

Psalm 96 is a joyful call to global worship and a declaration of God’s sovereignty over all creation. It reminds Israel—and by extension, all people—that God is not a local deity but the universal King, worthy of praise from every nation and all of nature.

This psalm is also part of the group used when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16), signifying a fresh encounter with God’s presence.

Key Themes:

1. Universal Worship: All the earth is invited to sing a new song to the Lord (v. 1–3).
2. God’s Glory and Supremacy: He is great and worthy, unlike false gods (v. 4–6).
3. Mission and Proclamation: God’s greatness is to be declared among the nations (v. 2–3, 10).
4. Creation Celebrates His Coming Judgment: Even the natural world rejoices at God’s just rule (v. 11–13).

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 96 stirs us to a vision of vibrant, global, joyful worship:

• Worship Is Global and Missional: It’s not just personal—it’s a call to proclaim God’s glory everywhere (Matthew 28:19).
• God’s Greatness Demands Praise: His splendor, majesty, strength, and beauty inspire awe and honor.
• Judgment Is Good News: God’s return to judge is righteous and faithful—the world longs for His justice.
• All Creation Reflects His Glory: Worship includes not just voices but the entire cosmos rejoicing in God.

Application

• Worship With New Passion: Sing to the Lord a new song—fresh expressions of love and reverence.
• Proclaim Salvation Daily: Let your life declare His saving grace—every day, every way.
• Celebrate God’s Reign: Amid injustice or chaos, remember: the Lord reigns!
• See Worship as Missional: Invite others into the joy of worship—His glory is for all nations.

Closing Thought

Psalm 96 paints a picture of global joy, justice, and worship—a world alive with praise to the true King.
“Sing to the Lord, bless His name… Tell of His glory among the nations.”