Overview

Psalm 96 is a beautiful and profound hymn of praise, calling on all of creation to give glory to God and proclaim His greatness. The psalmist exhorts the people of Israel, and indeed all the earth, to sing a new song to the Lord, declaring His marvelous works. It emphasizes God’s kingship, His righteous judgment, and His worthiness to receive worship. The psalm reflects the universal scope of God’s glory, calling on all nations to recognize His supremacy and respond with reverence. It also points to the joy and hope that come with the knowledge of God’s justice and reign. This chapter highlights God’s sovereignty as the Creator and Judge of the earth and challenges the worship of false gods. It serves as a powerful reminder of God’s holiness and the global mission of spreading His glory.

The theological significance of Psalm 96 is profound, as it connects God’s sovereignty in creation and salvation with the universal call to worship. The psalm serves as a call to the church to be involved in global missions, declaring the glory of God to the nations. It emphasizes the importance of worshiping God in spirit and truth, ascribing to Him glory and honor. The psalm also points forward to the coming of Christ, where God’s ultimate judgment will be revealed, and righteousness will reign. Psalm 96 is a beautiful picture of God’s eternal plan for redemption and His desire to be glorified in all the earth.

Historical and Literary Context

Psalm 96 is part of a collection of hymns and songs of praise, often attributed to King David. It was likely written during a time when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:12-15). This event marked a moment of national celebration, as the presence of God was returned to the city of David. The psalm is meant to be sung with joy, praising God for His mighty works in creation, His covenant faithfulness, and His acts of salvation. It’s a public declaration of God’s majesty, urging both Israel and the surrounding nations to recognize and worship the one true God.

The literary structure of Psalm 96 is that of a hymn of praise. It opens with a call to sing a new song and declare God’s greatness, progresses to a description of God’s attributes, and ends with a call for the earth to rejoice in the hope of God’s coming judgment. The psalmist emphasizes God’s unique sovereignty over all creation and His role as the righteous judge. This psalm is rich in imagery, and it includes references to God’s power and majesty, both in creation and His future reign.

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points

1. God’s Sovereignty and Kingship: Psalm 96 is a proclamation of God’s universal reign. It calls on all creation, not just Israel, to recognize the Lord’s authority. The psalmist emphasizes that God is not just Israel’s king but the King of the entire world. This affirms the biblical teaching that God is sovereign over all nations and the entire cosmos.
2. The Glory of God: The psalm is an invitation to worship God for His greatness. Worship is not just a private experience; it is to be a public declaration of God’s glory. The psalmist calls all the earth to declare His glory and to recognize that He is worthy of honor and praise above all things.
3. God as the Righteous Judge: In the final verses, Psalm 96 points to the future coming of the Lord as the righteous judge who will bring justice to the world. This echoes the biblical truth that God is just and will one day bring His judgment to the earth, making all things right. This promise of God’s coming judgment offers hope for the oppressed and a warning to the wicked.
4. Worship and Evangelism: The psalm connects the act of worship with the global mission of proclaiming God’s greatness to the nations. It underscores the responsibility of God’s people to spread His fame and glory to all the earth. This connection between worship and evangelism is an essential doctrinal point for the church today, emphasizing the importance of worship in fulfilling the Great Commission.
5. Creation’s Role in Worship: Psalm 96 declares that all of creation is called to praise God, demonstrating that the natural world reflects God’s glory. This connects to the doctrine of creation, where all things are made by God and for His glory. The heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them are called to worship Him, showing that God’s creative power is to be acknowledged and praised by all of creation.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis

Verses 1-3

“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” (Psalm 96:1-3)

Explanation:
These opening verses are a call to worship. The psalmist invites all of creation, not just Israel, to sing a “new song” to the Lord, highlighting the fresh expression of joy and gratitude that arises from the revelation of God’s greatness and salvation. The use of “new song” is symbolic of a renewed sense of wonder at God’s acts of salvation, calling for renewed praise and worship from all people.

• The phrase “sing to the Lord” appears three times, emphasizing the centrality of God in the worship. Worship here is not just a ritual but a heartfelt response to God’s greatness.
• “Proclaim his salvation day after day” reminds the worshipers that God’s acts of deliverance are ongoing and ever-present. His salvation is something to be continually proclaimed, not just in times of crisis but as a constant witness to His goodness.
• The phrase “declare his glory among the nations” signifies God’s universal kingship. This is not just a call for Israel, but for all nations to hear and acknowledge God’s greatness.

Cross-references:

• Isaiah 42:10-12: The prophet calls for a new song to be sung to the Lord for His salvation and acts of deliverance.
• Matthew 28:19: Jesus commands His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, linking the call to declare God’s glory to the global mission of the Church.

Doctrinal Insight:
The call to sing a new song and proclaim God’s salvation underscores the theme of God’s ongoing redemptive work. Theologically, this points to the continuous nature of God’s grace and salvation, which the believer is called to testify to continually. The “new song” suggests a living, active relationship with God, where the believer’s worship is always fresh and responsive to the ongoing work of God in their lives and in the world.

Application:

• As Christians, we are invited to offer God a new song daily, which can mean a fresh expression of our praise based on the new mercies God gives us each day (Lamentations 3:23).
• The call to declare God’s salvation is a reminder of our responsibility to evangelize and share the gospel with those around us, making His marvelous deeds known in both our words and actions.

Verses 4-6

“For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.” (Psalm 96:4-6)

Explanation:
These verses focus on the reason for God’s worthiness of worship: His greatness. The psalmist contrasts the true God with the false gods of the nations, asserting that the Lord is far superior to any idol or pagan deity.

• “Great is the Lord”: The greatness of God is a fundamental aspect of the psalm, underscoring His transcendence and supreme authority over all.
• “Most worthy of praise”: This phrase emphasizes God’s exclusivity. He alone is worthy of the highest form of worship, and there is no other deity who deserves the glory.
• “The gods of the nations are idols”: This is a direct refutation of the belief in foreign gods. The psalmist reminds the people that idols are empty and powerless, and the true God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth.
• “Splendor and majesty”: These attributes describe the visible manifestations of God’s glory, particularly in His holiness and divine presence.
• “Strength and glory”: These describe the unmatchable power of God, further underscoring the greatness of God’s being and His reign.

Cross-references:

• 1 Chronicles 16:25-27: A parallel passage where the greatness of the Lord is exalted, affirming that He is worthy to be praised above all gods.
• Isaiah 44:6-8: God asserts His sovereignty over all other gods and declares that He alone is the Creator, contrasting Himself with idols.
• Revelation 4:11: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things.”

Doctrinal Insight:
The comparison of God to idols reflects the biblical doctrine of God’s sovereignty. While idols are mere creations of human hands, God is the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe. Theologically, this highlights the Lord’s unique position as the one true God who commands both the heavens and the earth.

Application:

• As believers, we are called to recognize and worship God alone as the sovereign Creator, rejecting the idols of our modern world, whether they be material possessions, status, or other distractions that take our focus away from the Lord.
• This section encourages us to live with a sense of awe and reverence toward God, allowing the recognition of His greatness to shape our worship and daily lives.

Verses 7-9

“Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.” (Psalm 96:7-9)

Explanation:
These verses continue the call to worship, now urging the nations to recognize God’s glory and offer Him their worship. The psalmist calls for the people to give God the honor that is due to Him.

• “Ascribe to the Lord”: This repeated phrase means to give credit or attribute to God the glory, strength, and honor He deserves.
• “Bring an offering and come into his courts”: The psalmist emphasizes the importance of not just verbal worship but also tangible offerings as an expression of reverence and gratitude.
• “Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness”: Worship is to be done with a recognition of God’s holiness, reflecting His purity and perfection. His splendor speaks of His visible, awe-inspiring glory.
• “Tremble before him”: This calls for a deep reverence and fear of the Lord, recognizing His majesty and holiness.

Cross-references:

• 1 Chronicles 16:28-30: This passage also invites the nations to recognize and ascribe glory to God, focusing on His holiness.
• Hebrews 12:28-29: Worshiping with reverence and awe due to God’s holiness is emphasized in the New Testament as well.

Doctrinal Insight:
These verses point to the biblical doctrine of holiness. The Lord’s holiness is central to worship and should shape the way believers approach God in praise. The call to tremble before God reflects the proper response to His holiness—reverent fear and awe. Worshiping God is not just an act of song but involves our entire being and expressions of devotion.

Application:

• Worship is not a casual act; it demands reverence, holiness, and sincerity. This calls us to consider the attitudes and postures with which we come before God, whether in personal devotion or corporate worship.
• Bringing an offering to God is not limited to material offerings but includes our lives—our time, talents, and resources are to be dedicated to His service and glory.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ

Psalm 96, with its call for universal worship and recognition of God’s greatness, directs us to the redemptive story of Christ. The chapter underscores the universal scope of God’s reign and the global call to worship. While the psalm points to God’s creation and majesty, its fulfillment is seen in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. In the New Testament, Christ’s life, death, and resurrection bring the message of salvation to all nations, making the invitation to worship in Psalm 96 not only relevant but urgent.

Jesus, as the incarnate Son of God, is the perfect revelation of God’s greatness and majesty. He embodies the fulfillment of the psalm’s declaration that “the Lord reigns” (Psalm 96:10), for in His ministry, death, and resurrection, Jesus established God’s kingdom on earth and in heaven. Moreover, Christ is the one who brought salvation to all nations, fulfilling the psalmist’s call to declare God’s glory among the nations (Psalm 96:3). This is seen in Jesus’ Great Commission to His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20, where He commands them to go to all nations, teaching them to obey everything He has commanded.

Theologically, this psalm aligns with the doctrine of Christ’s redemptive work. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for the glory of God to be revealed to the nations, inviting them into the light of His salvation. In Christ, we find the ultimate expression of the glory, strength, and holiness of God that the psalm celebrates. He is the “new song” that we are invited to sing, a song of salvation and eternal praise.

Show How the Chapter Connects to the Father

Psalm 96 continually emphasizes God’s greatness, sovereignty, and holiness, all of which point to the Father. The psalmist’s declaration that “the Lord reigns” reflects the Father’s supreme rule over creation. This acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty points directly to the Father, who is the Creator of all things, as described in Genesis 1:1. The call to worship God, acknowledging His strength and glory, is a response to recognizing His divine authority as our Creator and King. The psalmist’s call for the nations to “ascribe” glory and strength to God is an invitation to acknowledge the Father as the source of all goodness, power, and majesty.

In the New Testament, we see this connection clearly in the ministry of Jesus, who consistently pointed to the Father as the source of His authority and mission. Jesus’ prayer in John 17:4-5, where He asks the Father to glorify Him so He can glorify the Father, highlights the ongoing relationship between the Father and the Son. Just as the psalm calls for worship of the Father, so Jesus taught His disciples to worship and honor the Father (Matthew 6:9). The Father’s sovereign rule, demonstrated in creation and salvation, is the foundation for the worship that Psalm 96 calls for.

Show How the Chapter Connects to the Holy Spirit

Psalm 96 does not explicitly mention the Holy Spirit, but the themes of worship and divine presence point to the Spirit’s work in the life of the believer and the church. The call for all people to worship God “in the splendor of his holiness” reflects the Spirit’s work in sanctifying and empowering believers to live holy lives (1 Peter 1:15-16). The Holy Spirit plays a critical role in helping Christians worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24).

The Spirit’s role is also seen in His work of convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, making the proclamation of God’s greatness and salvation effective in drawing people to worship the true God. In this way, the Spirit enables the global worship of God that the psalm anticipates. The universal call to declare God’s glory and strength can only be fully realized through the Spirit’s work in the hearts of individuals from every nation. The Spirit empowers the church to fulfill the Great Commission, making disciples of all nations, as we see in Acts 1:8 where the Holy Spirit empowers believers to be witnesses to the ends of the earth.

Connection to God’s Love

Psalm 96 reveals God’s love in several profound ways. The very act of God inviting all people to worship Him through His glory and salvation demonstrates His desire to have a relationship with all creation. God’s love is not confined to Israel; He is the Creator and Sustainer of all people, and His love extends to every nation and every tongue. The psalmist calls all the earth to recognize the marvelous deeds of God, which include His acts of redemption and mercy. The love of God is the very reason that His salvation is proclaimed day after day, and why we are called to declare His glory.

In the New Testament, God’s love reaches its fullest expression in Jesus Christ, who came to redeem humanity through His life, death, and resurrection. God’s love is seen most clearly in the giving of His Son for the salvation of the world (John 3:16). The call to worship in Psalm 96 is a call to recognize the love of God made manifest in Christ. In Christ, the love of God draws all people to Himself, offering salvation to those who are far off (Ephesians 2:13).

God’s love in this psalm is also a love that demands a response. We are called to ascribe to the Lord glory, strength, and holiness because of His great love. Just as God has demonstrated His love by creating and sustaining us, He also calls us to respond with love and worship. The psalm teaches that worship is the natural response to God’s love, and it invites believers to experience the fullness of that love through a lifestyle of praise and thanksgiving.

Sermon Outline and Flow

Title: The Call to Worship the Lord in His Glory and Strength

Introduction:

• Open with the idea of worship as a universal calling: Everyone, from every nation, is invited to worship the Creator. Just as Psalm 96 calls for worship, our lives as Christians are centered around worship—both individually and collectively as the body of Christ.
• Briefly introduce the key theme of the psalm: worship God for His greatness and salvation, and declare His glory to the nations.

I. The Call to Declare God’s Glory (Psalm 96:1-3)

• Main Point: The psalmist begins by declaring that all the earth should sing to the Lord and proclaim His glory. The world is called to respond to God’s greatness by declaring His wonderful deeds.
• Application: As Christians, we are also called to declare God’s glory to others—whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities. Our lives should bear witness to His greatness, and we should take every opportunity to share the gospel.
• Example: Share a personal story or modern-day illustration of how someone witnessed God’s glory to others, such as a testimony from a missionary or a local evangelistic effort.
• Transition: The psalmist doesn’t just invite worship in a general sense; he specifically focuses on the “nations” and the “peoples” (vs. 3), showing that this call to worship is universal.

II. The Lord’s Majesty and Holiness (Psalm 96:4-6)

• Main Point: The psalmist goes on to describe the Lord’s majesty and holiness, highlighting the reasons why God is worthy of our praise. The glory of the Lord surpasses all gods and is evident in His creation.
• Application: When we acknowledge the majesty and holiness of God, our worship takes on a deeper, more reverent tone. It moves from a mere act of singing to a deep response of awe. Christians today must continually deepen their reverence for God and ensure their worship is not superficial.
• Example: An illustration of how encountering something beautiful or awe-inspiring (a sunset, creation, a new life) leads us to pause and worship the Creator. Similarly, reflecting on God’s holiness leads to a deeper and more meaningful worship.
• Transition: As the psalmist calls us to reflect on God’s holiness, it moves us to understand that His greatness is not just in His creation but also in His actions toward us.

III. The Lord’s Judgment and Justice (Psalm 96:10-13)

• Main Point: God is not just Creator and King but also Judge. The psalmist calls on the earth to rejoice in God’s righteous judgment, which will bring justice to the world.
• Application: For Christians, God’s justice brings comfort, knowing that all wrongs will be made right. In a world full of injustice, we are assured that God’s judgment is perfect, and one day, He will judge the living and the dead.
• Example: Use a modern illustration of a situation where justice was delayed but eventually served (e.g., a court case, a social justice issue) to show the anticipation of ultimate justice in God’s Kingdom.
• Transition: The psalmist’s call to rejoice because of God’s justice leads us to live in hope, eagerly awaiting the full revelation of God’s justice and righteousness on the earth.

IV. The Global Call to Worship and Proclaim (Psalm 96:7-9)

• Main Point: The psalmist calls on the nations to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, recognizing that God’s reign is universal. The worship of God is not just an individual or localized act but a global invitation.
• Application: As Christians, we must participate in global worship, whether through prayer, supporting missions, or directly engaging with global outreach efforts. Worshiping God is not limited to our local churches or cultural expressions—it should include all peoples.
• Example: Illustrate with an example of Christians in other parts of the world, such as persecuted Christians, or the growth of the gospel in previously unreached areas.
• Transition: As we respond to God’s global call to worship, we realize that our worship is part of a much larger, redemptive plan that includes the nations.

V. Conclusion: A Call to Action—Worship the Lord in Spirit and Truth

• Main Point: The call to worship is not just about lifting our voices in song, but living lives that declare the greatness of God. Worship should be an active response, seen in our actions, lives, and witness to others.
• Application: Challenge the congregation to actively engage in worship, not just on Sundays, but every day of their lives. Worship is a lifestyle of acknowledging God’s greatness, His work of salvation, and proclaiming His glory.
• Call to Action: Encourage everyone to take practical steps to deepen their worship, such as committing to more regular devotion time, reaching out to share the gospel, or being more mindful of God’s presence in daily life.
• Illustration: Conclude with a powerful illustration of someone who dedicated their life to global or local worship—whether through music, mission work, or evangelism. Use someone who responded to God’s call and was faithful in proclaiming His glory.

Conclusion:

Psalm 96 serves as both a reminder and an invitation: God is worthy of all worship, and His reign extends to the ends of the earth. As believers, we are called not just to experience worship but to declare God’s glory to all people. Through Christ, we can join with the global church in worshiping the Lord in the beauty of holiness, and we live with hope in His justice and salvation. Let us respond with joyful worship in all we do, actively proclaiming God’s greatness and love to the nations.

Illustrations and Examples:

1. Personal Worship Experience: A testimony of how encountering God through creation (like a beautiful sunset or a quiet moment of reflection) leads one into deeper worship.
2. Global Worship: A story of a missionary or a church’s efforts to reach people in a foreign land, explaining how God’s glory is being declared through the Great Commission.
3. Justice in the Kingdom of God: A real-world example of justice being served after a long wait, showing the anticipation of God’s perfect judgment.

Application for Today’s Christian:

• Discipleship: Encourage Christians to deepen their relationship with God through regular personal worship (both public and private).
• Stewardship: Challenge Christians to be good stewards of their lives, ensuring their actions reflect the worship of a sovereign, just, and loving God.
• Living Out Faith: Worship must be more than songs on Sunday—it should affect the way we live every day, seeking justice, showing mercy, and loving others as an outflow of our worship to God.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Psalm 96 challenge the way I worship God, both in church and in my everyday life?
2. What does it mean to “ascribe” glory and strength to the Lord in my daily decisions?
3. How can I personally engage with the call to proclaim God’s glory to the nations? What practical steps can I take to support the global mission of the church?
4. How does God’s justice bring comfort and hope in the face of the world’s injustices? What does this teach me about trusting in God’s sovereignty?