Psalm 68:32 kjv
Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:
Psalm 68:32 nkjv
Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; Oh, sing praises to the Lord, Selah
Psalm 68:32 niv
Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord,
Psalm 68:32 esv
O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Selah
Psalm 68:32 nlt
Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth.
Sing praises to the Lord. Interlude
Psalm 68 32 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 22:27-28 | All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD... and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. For the kingdom is the LORD’s... | Universal turning and worship of God |
| Ps 86:9 | All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name. | All nations will worship and glorify God |
| Isa 2:2-3 | ...all nations shall flow to it... and many peoples shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD..." | Nations flowing to God's presence |
| Isa 45:22-23 | Turn to Me and be saved, all you ends of the earth... I have sworn by Myself... That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath. | Universal confession and salvation by God |
| Zech 14:9 | And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be— "The LORD is one," And His name one. | God's future global kingship |
| Mal 1:11 | For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering... | God's name great and worshiped among all nations |
| Rom 15:9-12 | ...that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy... "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!" ...and again, "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!" | Gentile inclusion in God's worship |
| Phil 2:10-11 | ...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. | Universal submission to Christ as Lord |
| Rev 15:4 | Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested. | All nations coming to worship God |
| Rev 7:9-10 | After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne... | Multitude from all nations worshipping God |
| Dan 2:44 | And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed... it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. | God's eternal kingdom superseding earthly ones |
| Ps 47:7-9 | For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. | God's reign and king over all nations |
| 1 Chron 29:11-12 | Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory... Yours is the kingdom, O LORD... Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. | God's supreme kingship and reign over all |
| Ps 100:1-2 | Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. | Universal call to joyful worship |
| Ps 96:1-3 | Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! ...Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. | New song and glory declared globally |
| Ps 98:4 | Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in jubilant song and sing praises. | Earth-wide jubilant praise to the Lord |
| Col 3:16 | Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. | Instruction for worship through song |
| Eph 5:19 | speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord... | Communal singing and melody to the Lord |
| Ex 9:16 | But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth. | God's power and name declared through all the earth |
| Ps 57:5, 11 | Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth. | God's glory recognized universally |
| Hab 2:14 | For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. | Earth filled with knowledge of God's glory |
| Rev 11:15 | Then the seventh angel sounded: And great voices in heaven were heard, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" | Earthly kingdoms become Christ's |
Psalm 68 verses
Psalm 68 32 Meaning
This verse is an imperative, prophetic call for all the kingdoms, nations, and peoples across the entire earth to offer worship and musical praise to God. It highlights God’s supreme sovereignty over all earthly authorities and anticipates a future time when His universal dominion will be recognized and celebrated by all. It is a declaration that true sovereignty belongs only to the Lord.
Psalm 68 32 Context
Psalm 68 is a grand song of triumph, celebrating God’s victorious actions throughout Israel's history, from the Exodus and the giving of the Law at Sinai to the establishment of His dwelling place in Zion. It portrays God as a powerful warrior who leads His people to victory, scattering His enemies and providing for the needy. This specific verse, found near the Psalm's conclusion, broadens the scope of God’s majestic reign beyond Israel. After detailing His historical triumphs for His chosen people and describing the bringing of tribute by various rulers, the Psalm culminates in a prophetic invitation for all earthly kingdoms to acknowledge and worship Him, underscoring His universal authority and eventual worldwide recognition as sovereign Lord.
Psalm 68 32 Word analysis
- Sing (שִׁירוּ - Shīrū): An imperative command (plural), signifying a joyful, public act of praise and acclamation. It is a fundamental form of worship, expressing adoration and celebrating God's attributes. The root implies raising a sound in joy or triumph, emphasizing glad and unreserved vocalization.
- to God (לֵֽאלֹהִ֗ים - lēʼlōhîm): Refers to Elōhîm, the majestic, plural name for God that emphasizes His creative power, ultimate authority, and universal nature. The prefixed 'lē' signifies direction ("to" or "for") of the worship – it is directed exclusively towards the One true God, not false deities.
- you kingdoms (מַמְלְכ֣וֹת - mamləḵōwṯ): Plural for mamlaka, meaning "kingdoms," indicating all forms of earthly sovereignty, nations, and peoples, irrespective of their current recognition of God. This extends the command and prophecy beyond Israel to every nation on earth, implying their destined submission.
- of the earth (אָ֑רֶץ - ʼāreṣ): Signifies the entire globe, encompassing all landmasses and inhabitants. It reinforces the universal and unrestricted scope of the divine call, affirming God’s reign over all creation and all political entities.
- Oh, sing praises (זַמְּר֖וּ - zamməṛū): An imperative command (plural), parallel yet distinct from Shīrū, often calling for a more elaborate and formal act of worship, specifically associated with making music (sometimes with instruments) and delivering precise, lyrical praise. It speaks to a skillful, artistic, and devoted form of adoration.
- to the Lord (אֲדֹנָ֣י - ʼăḏōnāy): A sacred title for God, meaning "my Lord" or "my Sovereign Master," used reverently when referring to YHWH. It emphasizes His supreme mastership, sovereign authority, and personal dominion over all. This identifies the recipient of universal praise specifically as the covenant God of Israel who is the ultimate universal King.
- Selah (סֶֽלָה׃ - Selah): A musical or liturgical notation, found frequently in Psalms. Its precise meaning is debated but commonly understood as a call for a contemplative pause, a musical interlude, or an emphasis on the significance of the preceding declaration. Here, it urges the reader to ponder the gravity and profundity of God's universal dominion and the radical call for all nations to worship Him.
- "Sing to God" (שִׁירוּ לֵאלֹהִים - Shīrū lēʼlōhîm): This opening command establishes the directive, identifying the specific and exclusive object of worship. It's a clear instruction to engage in joyful, public acclamation, directing it specifically towards the universal God, the Creator.
- "you kingdoms of the earth" (מַמְלְכוֹת אָרֶץ - mamləḵōwṯ ʼāreṣ): This phrase precisely defines the commanded audience. It is a radical expansion of God’s sovereignty beyond a single chosen people, asserting His authority over all human governing structures and inhabitants across the entire globe, directly challenging the claims of lesser, national deities or human rulers.
- "Oh, sing praises to the Lord" (זַמְּרוּ אֲדֹנָי - zamməṛū ʼăḏōnāy): This phrase repeats and intensifies the initial call to worship. While the first "sing" (Shiru) is general, "sing praises" (Zammeru) implies a more specific, musical, and perhaps more fervent act of adoration, accompanied by instruments. The use of 'Adonai' specifically points to the divine Sovereign Master as the rightful and sole recipient of this exalted worship, solidifying His unparalleled position.
- "Selah" (סֶֽלָה׃): This final unique term serves as an emphatic pause, designed to allow the listener or reader to fully absorb the weight and significance of the preceding prophetic command for global recognition and praise of God's universal kingship. It encourages deep reflection on God's majestic truth.
Psalm 68 32 Bonus section
The Psalm's progression from God's particular historical activity on behalf of Israel to a universal prophetic declaration signifies a key biblical theme: God’s particular election of Israel always had a universal redemptive purpose. Psalm 68:32 powerfully reflects this missional heart of God, echoing prophecies throughout the Scriptures of the inclusion of Gentiles in worship and submission to God's reign. In a Christian understanding, this verse deeply anticipates the church’s global mission and the future reign of Christ, where indeed, every tongue and nation will acknowledge Him as Lord and Sovereign. The imagery points towards a divine conquest not merely by military force but by the overwhelming revelation of God's majesty and righteous judgment, compelling the nations to surrender in worship rather than simply defeat. This voluntary, joyous praise is a hallmark of the new creation.
Psalm 68 32 Commentary
Psalm 68:32 presents a profound vision of God’s ultimate triumph and universal reign. It’s not merely an invitation but an imperative command for all the ruling powers and peoples of the earth to recognize, honor, and joyfully praise the one true God, Yahweh. This verse directly challenges any earthly claims to ultimate sovereignty, asserting that only God is worthy of such universal acclaim. It foretells a future age, ultimately fulfilled through Christ's global reign, when every nation will bow in submission and adoration. The repetition of the command to "sing" underscores the joy, public nature, and wholeheartedness expected in this universal worship, encompassing both simple praise and elaborate musical devotion. The inclusion of "Selah" demands a moment of deep contemplation, urging the worshiper to internalize the staggering reality of God's destined supremacy over all things.