Psalms

PSALM 96*

God of the Universe

I

1Sing to the LORD a new song;a

sing to the LORD, all the earth.

2Sing to the LORD, bless his name;

proclaim his salvation day after day.

3Tell his glory among the nations;

among all peoples, his marvelous deeds.b

II

4*For great is the LORD and highly to be praised,

to be feared above all gods.c

5For the gods of the nations are idols,

but the LORD made the heavens.d

6Splendor and power go before him;

power and grandeur are in his holy place.

III

7Give to the LORD, you families of nations,

give to the LORD glory and might;

8give to the LORD the glory due his name!e

Bring gifts and enter his courts;

9bow down to the LORD, splendid in holiness.

Tremble before him, all the earth;

10fdeclare among the nations: The LORD is king.

The world will surely stand fast, never to be shaken.

He rules the peoples with fairness.

IV

11Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;

let the sea and what fills it resound;g

12let the plains be joyful and all that is in them.

Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice

13before the LORD who comes,

who comes to govern the earth,h

To govern the world with justice

and the peoples with faithfulness.

* [Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Ps 96:13), who is the sole God (Ps 96:46). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Ps 96:710); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Ps 96:1113). This Psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Is 4055, as does Ps 98. Another version of the Psalm is 1 Chr 16:2333.

* [96:4] For references to other gods, see comments on Ps 58 and 82.

a. [96:1] Ps 98:1; Is 42:10.

b. [96:3] Ps 98:4; 105:1.

c. [96:4] Ps 48:2; 95:3; 145:3.

d. [96:5] Ps 97:7; 115:48; Is 40:17; 1 Cor 8:4.

e. [96:8] Ps 29:2.

f. [96:10] Ps 75:4; 93:1.

g. [96:11] Ps 98:7.

h. [96:13] Ps 98:9.

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