Side by side
Psalm 96
Our plain-language guide next to the Bible text. Each row lines up one section with the verses it explains.
Section 1: A New SongVerses 1 to 3
"Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth" (96:1).
A new song is for something new God has done.
"Proclaim His salvation day after day" (96:2).
"Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all peoples" (96:3).
1Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim His salvation day after day. 3Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all peoples.
Section 2: Great Is the LORDVerses 4 to 6
"For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised" (96:4).
The gods of the nations are just idols. "But it is the LORD who made the heavens" (96:5).
"Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty fill His sanctuary" (96:6).
4For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. 5For all the gods of the nations are idols, but it is the LORD who made the heavens. 6Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty fill His sanctuary.
Section 3: All Families of the NationsVerses 7 to 10
"Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength" (96:7).
"Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth" (96:9).
Tell the nations: "The LORD reigns!" (96:10).
7Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 8Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and enter His courts. 9Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth. 10Declare among the nations: “The LORD reigns!” The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.
Section 4: Let the Trees SingVerses 11 to 13
"Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea resound, and all that fills it" (96:11).
The fields celebrate, and "all the trees of the forest will sing for joy" (96:12).
Why? "For He is coming" (96:13).
He will judge the world fairly and faithfully.
11Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea resound, and all that fills it. 12Let the fields exult, and all that is in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy 13before the LORD, for He is coming— He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.
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