Christianity

Psalms 96Sing a New Song

Summary

Psalm 96 calls all the earth to sing a new song to the LORD and declare his glory among the nations. It contrasts the gods of the peoples, which it calls idols, with the LORD who made the heavens, and invites the families of the nations to bring an offering and worship in the beauty of holiness. In the end heavens, sea, fields and trees rejoice, for he comes to judge the world with righteousness. Most of it also appears in 1 Chronicles 16.

Key verse

“O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.”

Psalms 96:1

Themes

A New Song
Worship Among the Nations
God Above Idols
Creation Rejoices
Righteous Judgment

O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.

Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.

Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice

Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

Christianity
1 Chronicles 16: David's Song for the Ark
1 Chronicles 16:23 to 33 places nearly all of Psalm 96 in the song sung when the ark was brought to Jerusalem, combined there with parts of Psalms 105 and 106.
Christianity
Revelation 5: A New Song Before the Lamb
Revelation 5:9 describes a new song sung by those redeemed out of every kindred, tongue, people and nation, echoing the worldwide new song of Psalm 96.
Judaism
Psalm 96 in the JPS 1917 Tanakh
Psalm 96 is the second of the six psalms recited in the Kabbalat Shabbat service on Friday evening.

Questions about Psalms 96

What is the 'beauty of holiness' in Psalm 96?

Psalm 96:9 calls people to worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Some translations render it holy attire or holy splendor, referring either to the worshippers' festive dress or to the splendor of God's own holiness.

Why do the trees rejoice in Psalm 96?

Verses 11 to 13 picture the heavens, sea, fields and trees of the wood rejoicing because the LORD comes to judge the earth. In the psalm, God's righteous judgment is good news for all creation, not only for people.