ETB Psalm 96:1-13

Session 4: God’s Reign - p.33

Ask: Who is the most famous person you have ever met?

1989 Olympic Festival at the Sooner Stadium in Norman Oklahoma. Sitting on my row, my brother Frank, his wife Adrienne, my mom, me, my mom’s mom (Grandmother), Mickey Mantle, James Garner. Grandmother and Mr. Mantle chatted away, almost flirting until he had to go down on stage. He patted Grandmother forearm and said, “Sorry love, they want down front now.” The two stars walked away together and appeared on stage about 20 minutes later.

Ask: Who is the most famous person you would like to meet?

If I happen to meet any more celebrities in my life, it will not be from any effort of my own. Studying this Psalm this week kind of solidified that for me. Someday I will meet the Sovereign over the Cosmos, its Creator and Redeemer. No one else is more famous or awe-inspiring than that. I am, however, not in a hurry for that face-to-face encounter.

Transition: Today’s study in Psalm 96 calls us to praise and worship Him while we are still on earth because He reigns over heaven and earth now and always.

Understand the Context

Psalms 93–99 lead believers to rejoice over the Lord’s royal authority as King over His creation. For that reason, they fall into the category of enthronement psalms. Psalms 96–97 serve as excellent examples of this category because they urge God’s people to applaud His reign. They bear a striking resemblance to hymns that believers sing as they praise the Lord. Affirming His reign and declaring His sovereignty as King are the resounding themes of each psalm.

Psalm 96 played a unique role in the history of God’s people during the days of King David. According to 1 Chronicles 13–15, David directed the Levites to bring the ark of the covenant from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem. The Israelites considered the ark a tangible and significant symbol of God’s presence among His people. As they brought the ark into the city, David ordered Asaph, the music director, to lead the people in singing praises to the Lord. The song of praise they sang that day included Psalm 96 (1 Chron. 16:8-36). 

Taken together, Psalms 96–97 guide maturing believers to declare to the world that God is Ruler of everything and reigns as King in heaven.  [LifeWay Adults (2025). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Summer 2025]

I encourage you to read through all of these Psalms 93-99 on your own this week and pray or sing them back to the Lord as a personal worship. Hopefully our time together around 96 will help you worship more fully through the rest.

Explore the Text

Psalm 96:1–6 ESV

Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

a new song

I spent some time trying to grasp what is meant by “new song.” The word is sometimes translated “fresh” or “unseen”, so it seems to point to a song different than the one we are reading. But does that mean we are not to sing the same song again?

The Moody Bible Commentary A. The Obligation of Collective Praise (33:1–3)

There is a reiteration of the call to collective praise and thanks (the theme of

Encounters with God and worship of Him should be “fresh” or different each time because we are different because of Him. We be “new to Him” for we were changed the last time we interacted. But we can also still use and sing previous songs with a fresh spirit.

John in his first epistle uses the same word in describing a “new” commandment, but with an “old” origin.

1 John 2:7–8 “Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.”

What are some other ways we may have a “new” song for the Lord even though the tune and words may be familiar?

Sometimes it is difficult to think of God experiencing something “new” because it is eternal. I found a good example of this in my readings this week.

Exalting Jesus in Psalms 51-100 A Singing People (Psalm 96:1–3)

The great apologist G. K. Chesterton expressed this beautifully:

Because children have abounding vitality … they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, “Do it again”; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony.

It is possible that God says every morning, “Do it again” to the sun; and every evening, “Do it again” to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. (Orthodoxy, 61)

When the “newness” wears off for us, we can ask God for His insight and gain a fresh perspective from which to sing of His wonders.

The Lord

We do not just sing anything or to just anyone though, it is to be for and to the Lord. You will note that in the quarterly text and probably your Bibles, that word Lord is in small caps meaning it is that special personal name of God, sometimes written as Yahweh.

As the worshipers sang, the psalmist instructed them to direct their praise to the Lord alone. Instead of singing about Him, they were urged to sing to Him, honoring Him consistently with words that extolled His character and commended His work (1 Chron. 29:20; Ps. 72:17; Eph. 1:3).

A central theme in blessing Him involved His initiative to save. In the Hebrew language, salvation (yeshuah) meant being delivered from trouble or rescued from danger. The message of salvation disclosed God’s wisdom, power, and compassion (Isa. 40:9; 49:6; 52:7; Acts 13:26). [ETB:ALG Sum'25]

tell of his salvation

This is a clear directive of speaking the “new” truth of Christ, but from the Old Testament perspective. The Psalmist knew salvation would come. We know how it has already. We are under as much obligation to speak of His salvation from our perspective as the first Israelite readers were.

I think it is interesting that both this “tell” and the next verse’s “declare” do not negate the command repeated in the first phrases to “sing.” When we sing, especially if others can hear us, it needs to honor God, but the Psalm tells us it should also point others to His salvation and glory.

Exalting Jesus in Psalms 51-100 A Singing People (Psalm 96:1–3)

Make known his salvation! In other words, spreading the gospel is a means by which we praise God.

Think about this in marriage, for example. I can praise my wife in two ways: I can tell her she’s awesome, or I can tell you she’s awesome. Both praise her. The same is true with God. We sing to him, and this is praise. We proclaim his salvation to the nations, and this is praise. This idea of calling the nations/outsiders/Gentiles to worship comes up in verses 1, 2, 3, 7, and 10. There is a missionary heartbeat here.

Declare his glory among the nations

Going public with the message of God’s salvation had no boundaries. As a result, His people are challenged to declare His good news to anyone who will hear it. The Israelites responded to the message by devoting themselves to Him, but they were disobedient when they remained silent. [ETB:ALG Sum'25]

Not only are we to declare His glory, but where is the declaration to reach? To whom is it to be declared?

There is a local group on their way to Sao Paulo to do just this thing.

Does that mean we have to travel to foreign countries to accomplish this?

With the technologies today, sermons written or recorded at this hour can be heard and seen on the other side of the globe in a matter of minutes. Seeking out an avenue to activity participate in the global mission of Christ should be each believer’s desire. For some it will mean going in person, for others like my dad, it was by providing for any need that others may have to go on such trips.

How have you obeyed this directive from the Psalmist?

Like our songs, our outreach can also be “new every morning” if we allow the Spirit to guide us.

worthless idols, but the Lord

I like the immediate contrast between these idols without power and God’s all-encompassing creative authority.

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 96

The words gods (Hb. ’elohim) and worthless idols (Hb. ’elilim) sound alike, providing a play on words; in English this would be close to “these mighty beings are mighty useless!”

Comparing the Lord to the worthless idols of other peoples would lead Israel to worship Him with grateful reverence. Since false gods had no power, anyone who worshiped them would struggle with frustration and futility (1 Kings 18:27; Isa. 57:13; Jer. 10:3-5). [ETB:ALG Sum'25]

I think that is a good insight of where some of our own struggles and frustrations may be coming from. When our trust in or reliance upon things of this world instead of God, they will let us down. Only God’s ways are fruitful and satisfying enough to give us the contentment and fulfilment we are striving for.

Ask: How can we know that God is sovereign over all?

His sanctuary

The Hebrew word for sanctuary (miqdas) has also been translated “holy temple” (CEV). According to 1 Chronicles 28:6, the Lord directed Solomon to build the temple in Jerusalem. He referred to the temple as His dwelling place. The temple as sanctuary brought to mind where God’s people met Him. As they encountered Him there, they bowed before Him. Consequently, His sanctuary became a setting in which they admired His strength and beheld His beauty as they worshiped Him.  [ETB:ALG Sum'25]

Although originally directed to the people of Israel and an actual building, God has fulfilled this verse through His Son making is possible to worship at His Sanctuary, whereever His believers are.

1 Corinthians 3:9 “For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

Transition: Recognizing God as our sovereign Creator and King leads to overflowing worship and praise.

Psalm 96:7–9 ESV

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, 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 holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!

3 times we are commanded to sing, now three times we are commanded to “ascribe to the Lord” certain things.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary Ascribe

verb (ascribe something to) attribute something to (a cause, person, or period).

▶ regard a quality as belonging to.

What notes or personal definitions do you have for that word “ascribe?”

CSB Study Bible: Notes Psalm 96

To ascribe something to someone is to acknowledge they have that attribute.

In the context of worship, the Hebrew word hahab implied recognizing the attributes of the Lord that set Him apart. [ETB:ALG Sum'25]

What are some of God’s attributes that you seem to find yourself “ascribing” to Him on a regular basis?

As you read through the Psalms or the other portions of the Bible this week, as the Spirit to show you new traits and attributes to acknowledge that He has in infinite perfection for which you can praise Him for and declare to others.

bring an offering

When the Israelites worshiped God, they presented various offerings to Him. In the wilderness, He gave them specific instructions regarding the offerings that He expected (Lev. 1–7). Those expectations carried over to the promised land.

Centuries later, Jesus offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice once and for all (Heb. 10:11-14). [ETB:ALG Sum'25]

Today we often associate offerings with monetary gifts, but we can also offer anything else that God has blessed us with while on this earth. There was a radio personality in Oklahoma that often said, “with talent on loan from God.” Use whatever you can and bring it to the Lord that He may be honored by it.

Romans 12:1 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

the splendor of holiness

This could also be translated “holy attire.” What is not clear is whether it is the Lord’s attire or the worshippers. There is no one else who could be more holy than God, so He is the first choice.

Yet, we are commanded in the New Testament to worship in spirit and truth, but without the regenerative work of Christ in our lives we have no living spirit to worship with, so we must be made holy by Him, for Him, in order to praise Him. We accept His righteousness and holiness at the moment of salvation and that is how God the Father sees us, even when we do not. May His holiness upon us be an ever-present reminder of why we should praise Him.

Being holy (qodesh) meant being set apart. For God’s people at worship, recognizing His holiness would compel them to go from joyful praise to sincere humility (Ps. 95:1-7). In His presence, they worshiped Him as altogether perfect. They acknowledged that He was completely set apart from all other realities and clothed in the royal splendor of His perfect holiness.  [ETB:ALG Sum'25]

Ask: According to these verses, what makes God worthy of our worship?

Are there other attributes of God that you find yourself worshipping or praising God for often?

Psalm 96:10–13 ESV

Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.” Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.

The CSB and ESV divide the Psalm into sections differently. The division in the ESV between the 2nd and 3rd part is between verses 10 and 11. The CSB puts it between 9 and 10. When I read this Psalm without chapter or stanza divisions, I want to group it more like the ESV because I read it with verse 1-6 speaking to Israel. 7-10 speaking to Gentiles through Israel, and verse 11-13 speaking to all the rest of creation. This fulfills the first verses statement of “all the earth.” I found one resource that displayed the Hebrew structure to this Psalm, and it is broken into 5 parts: Sing to Yahweh (1-3), Yahweh made the Heavens (4-6) Ascribe to Yahweh glory (7-9), Yahweh is king and judge (10-12), Yahweh will judge the earth (13).

The entirety of all creation is called upon to rejoice in the Lord. Humanity alone is too small to give God the praise He deserves. [ETB:PSG Sum'25]

The Lord reigns!

The Moody Bible Commentary B. Let the Nations Praise the Lord, the King (96:7–10)

This point is further emphasized by the universal challenge to say (i.e., affirm) that the LORD reigns (as in

Heavens glad… earth rejoices… seas roar… fields exult... trees sing... everything

The Psalmist reminds us in verse 11-12 that the earth and everything else in it has their own song of praise for the Lord. We read about this truth in the other psalms we have studied so far (19, 119)

The MacArthur Bible Commentary Outline

This is what even inanimate creation awaits.

Romans 8:19–22 “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.”

He comes

The proclamation of God’s people and the accolades of His creation had been nourished by their anticipation of His coming. While God dwelt among His people for a season through the temple, angels announced His physical arrival to shepherds (Luke 2:8-14).

After Jesus arrived, He taught His disciples to look forward to His second coming (Mark 13:24-27). His apostles believed that He would return one day (1 Thess. 4:16-18; 2 Pet. 3:10-12). Over time, God’s people and His creation have awaited the coming of the Lord with eagerness and anticipation (Titus 2:13; 2 Pet. 3:12-14).  [ETB:ALG Sum'25]

We too wait for this second coming, but until then let us be about the commands given in this Psalm to sing, declare, ascribe, and rejoice in the Lord and share of His great work in our lives.

Apply the Text

I have copies of the lyrics for the hymn “All Creatures of Our God and King”. In the video link they sing the first and fourth from the hymnal and then add two more which I have printed on the back of the sheet.

We have just finished studying a Psalm that has commanded us to “sing” unto the Lord. Whether you do that in your heart or with your voice, I am going to play the video link, join with the men in the worship of our God and King.

https://youtu.be/oVaiVtKZLQU

Pray: Lord, contrary to what the world’s media would have a believe, we recognize You as sovereign over all creation and nations. Father, help us to praise You because You are holy and worthy of all praise, not because of Your blessings but because of all that You are. Spirit, guide to those whom we can tell about Your wonderous works be it next door, the next state, or the next country. Show us where we can share Your good news.