Psalm 96 explained: A New Song for Every Nation

Sing a new song (vv. 1-3)

Readers take "new song" in different ways, such as fresh praise for new acts of rescue or a song for a new moment in God's dealings with the world, and it is meant to be sung daily rather than only at festivals. What stands out is that the invitation goes to all the earth, not only to Israel.

Greater than all gods (vv. 4-6)

In Hebrew the word for the nations' "idols" sounds like the word for "gods" but means "nothings" or "worthless things," a deliberate play on words. The point is the contrast: their gods were made by people, while the LORD made the sky itself.

The nations invited in (vv. 7-9)

"Ascribe" means to openly credit or acknowledge, and the call is aimed at all the peoples of the world. Bringing a gift into the temple courtyards was Israel's way of worshiping, so the psalm pictures people from every nation coming to worship there too.

The LORD reigns (v. 10)

This announcement is the heart of the psalm: the LORD, not any other god or ruler, is king. A steady world and fair judgment for every people are what his rule looks like.

All creation celebrates (vv. 11-13)

Sky, sea, fields and forests are pictured cheering because the LORD is coming as a fair and faithful judge to set the world right. Christians have often read this coming as pointing ahead to Jesus returning.

Key verse: Psalm 96:10

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether the coming judge at the end mainly points to a future return of Christ or more broadly describes God's rule over the world at any time.

Something to think about

This psalm treats the arrival of a fair judge as something worth celebrating; what in the world would you most want to see set right?