Psalm 96
"Sing to the LORD a new song"
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Psalm 96 calls all the earth to sing a new song to the LORD and tell the nations about his glory. The gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. All families of the nations are called to worship him and say, "The LORD reigns!" The heavens, the sea, the fields, and the trees of the forest sing for joy, because he is coming to judge the world in righteousness.
Where it is in the Bible: Psalm 96
Before You Read
What it is. A song of praise calling the whole world, and even the trees and the sea, to sing to God.
Who wrote it. It doesn't say. A version of it was sung when David brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16:23-33).
When the church sings it. On Christmas Eve. The world sings because the King has come.
How to read it. Notice how the circle of praise keeps getting bigger: from God's people, to the nations, to all creation.
Map of the Psalm
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A New Song | 96:1-3 | Sing and tell the nations |
| 2. Great Is the LORD | 96:4-6 | Other gods are idols |
| 3. All Families of the Nations | 96:7-10 | Come and worship |
| 4. Let the Trees Sing | 96:11-13 | All creation rejoices, for he is coming |
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4A New Song
"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).
Section 2 of 4Great Is the LORD
"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).
Section 3 of 4All Families of the Nations
"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).
Section 4 of 4Let the Trees Sing
"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.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "A new song" (96:1) | Fresh praise for what God has done. |
| "All the earth" (96:1) | Praise isn't only for one nation. |
| "Proclaim His salvation day after day" (96:2) | Keep telling the good news. |
| "The LORD reigns!" (96:10) | God is King, now and always. |
| "All the trees of the forest will sing" (96:12) | All creation celebrates God's coming. |
| "For He is coming" (96:13) | God is on his way to set the world right. |
Back Then
Israel's neighbors worshiped many gods. This psalm says they are idols, and only the LORD made the heavens.
Judging in the Bible is often good news. It means setting wrongs right and protecting the weak.
Literal Reader Alert
Do trees really sing? It's poetry. All of creation is pictured celebrating its King.
Why is God's coming to "judge" a reason to sing? Because he judges "in righteousness" and "in His faithfulness" (96:13). He comes to make everything right.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| God's people | Joyful | They sing a new song (96:1) |
| All creation | Glad | The LORD is coming (96:11-13) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
How will you sing this week? Tap one.
I want to praise
Sing a new song. Tell what God has done.
I know someone far from God
Declare his glory among the nations.
The world feels unfair
He is coming to judge in righteousness.
I'm outdoors
Listen. The trees are singing.
You Might Have Heard
"Faith is a private thing."
What's true: Faith is personal.
What the passage is mainly about: "Declare His glory among the nations" (96:3). God's good news is meant to be sung out loud, to the whole world.
Where Jesus is: He is the King who came at Christmas and is coming again.
Good News
The King is coming, and the whole world will sing.
"Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice" (96:11).
He comes to set the world right, in righteousness and faithfulness.
Sing to the LORD a new song, all the earth! The LORD reigns, and he is coming to judge the world in righteousness.
Big Idea
Sing to the LORD a new song, all the earth! Tell the nations, "The LORD reigns!" Let all creation rejoice, for he is coming.
If this passage brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther loved singing. He wrote that next to theology, he gave music the highest place and honor, because it drives away the devil and makes people glad.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It sings Psalm 96 on Christmas Eve in all three years, and on several other Sundays.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Christmas: The Nativity of Our Lord Year A · Year B · Year CPsalm, Psalm 96
- Ninth Sunday after the Epiphany Year CPsalm, Psalm 96:1-9
- Lectionary 9 Year CPsalm, Psalm 96:1-9
- Lectionary 9 Year CPsalm, Psalm 96
- Lectionary 29 Year APsalm, Psalm 96:1-9 [10-13]
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Psalm 96, explained in plain words. The whole earth, and even the trees, sing because the King is coming. About 6 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/psalm-96/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church