Psalm 96:1 kjv
O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
Psalm 96:1 nkjv
Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Psalm 96:1 niv
Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Psalm 96:1 esv
Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!
Psalm 96:1 nlt
Sing a new song to the LORD!
Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!
Psalm 96 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text (Shortened) | Reference (Short Note) |
|---|---|---|
| Rev 5:9 | "...they sang a new song..." | New song of redemption by Christ's sacrifice in heaven. |
| Rev 14:3 | "...sang a new song before the throne..." | Only the redeemed can learn and sing this new song of praise. |
| Pss 33:3 | "Sing to him a new song..." | For God's creative word, righteous acts, and faithfulness. |
| Pss 40:3 | "He put a new song in my mouth..." | A new song of praise for God's personal deliverance and help. |
| Pss 144:9 | "I will sing a new song to you..." | Praise for rescue from enemies and divine provision. |
| Pss 149:1 | "Sing to the LORD a new song..." | Call for praise as God prepares to execute judgment among nations. |
| Isa 42:10 | "Sing to the LORD a new song..." | Prophetic praise for God's new act of salvation for Gentiles. |
| Pss 22:27 | "All the ends of the earth will remember..." | Universal remembrance of God leading to worship Him. |
| Pss 66:1 | "Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!" | General call for all the earth to praise God. |
| Pss 67:7 | "...all the ends of the earth will fear Him." | Universal reverence leading to global worship. |
| Pss 86:9 | "All nations whom You have made..." | All nations will worship before God because of His creative power. |
| Isa 45:22 | "Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth..." | God's call for universal salvation and acknowledgment. |
| Zec 14:9 | "The LORD will be king over all the earth..." | Prophetic vision of God's future universal reign. |
| Hab 2:14 | "the earth will be filled with the knowledge..." | Universal knowledge of God's glory spreading across the earth. |
| Phil 2:10-11 | "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." | Universal submission and confession to Jesus Christ. |
| Col 1:23 | "...gospel... proclaimed in all creation..." | The gospel's reach extended to the entire world. |
| Matt 28:19 | "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." | The Great Commission for discipleship to all peoples. |
| Acts 1:8 | "...witnesses... to the ends of the earth." | The Spirit-empowered spread of the gospel universally. |
| Rom 1:5 | "...to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles..." | God's purpose for universal obedience to faith through the gospel. |
| Pss 47:7 | "For God is King of all the earth..." | Declaration of God's universal royal authority. |
| Pss 93:1 | "The LORD reigns; He is clothed with majesty..." | Affirmation of God's eternal and majestic universal reign. |
| Pss 97:1 | "The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice..." | Command for the earth to rejoice in God's just and sovereign rule. |
| 1 Chr 16:23 | "Sing to the LORD, all the earth..." | David's parallel call to universal praise in his song. |
Psalm 96 verses
Psalm 96 1 Meaning
Psalm 96:1 issues an urgent, universal command to acknowledge and worship the one true God, YHWH. The call to "sing to the Lord a new song" implies a fresh, profound, and spontaneous expression of praise, often born from a new experience of God's redemptive acts, His revealed character, or in anticipation of His full and glorious reign. This renewed worship is not confined to Israel but is directed to "all the earth," encompassing all nations and creation, reflecting God's ultimate sovereignty and His global design for worship.
Psalm 96 1 Context
Psalm 96 opens a sequence of "Enthronement Psalms" (Pss 93, 95-99), which celebrate YHWH's kingship and sovereignty, often looking forward to His coming rule over all the earth. These psalms were likely used in ancient Israelite worship, possibly during festivals such as the Feast of Tabernacles, which highlighted God's providential care and the ingathering of the nations. Historically, this psalm challenges the prevalent polytheism and idolatry of surrounding cultures, asserting that YHWH is the only true God worthy of worship, unlike the "worthless idols" of other nations (Pss 96:5). The psalm invites or rather commands all creation to recognize this singular truth and join in praise.
Psalm 96 1 Word analysis
- Sing (שִׁירוּ - shiru): This is an imperative verb, functioning as a direct command or urgent exhortation. It signifies an act of heartfelt worship, joy, and praise. It implies engaging the whole being in adoration, not merely producing sound.
- to the Lord (לַיהוָה - la-YHWH): The Hebrew preposition la means "to" or "for." YHWH is the covenant name of God, revealed to Moses (Ex 3:14-15). It speaks to His self-existence, eternal nature, faithfulness, and unique redemptive relationship with His people. Worship is directed exclusively to Him.
- a new song (שִׁיר חָדָשׁ - shir chadash):
- Shir (שִׁיר): Simply means "song" or "poem."
- Chadash (חָדָשׁ): Means "new" or "fresh." This is not merely about a novel melody but primarily a song that is new in its content, inspiration, and spirit. It arises from a fresh experience of God's character, a new revelation, a specific recent act of salvation or deliverance, or in profound anticipation of God's future, redemptive work and coming kingdom (e.g., Isa 42:9-10). It signifies renewed spiritual insight and fervor.
- sing (שִׁירוּ - shiru): The repetition of the imperative "sing" emphasizes the urgency, universal scope, and central nature of this command. It reinforces the primary activity desired.
- to the Lord (לַיהוָה - la-YHWH): Reiteration of the singular focus of this universal praise, emphasizing that YHWH alone deserves this worldwide acclaim.
- all the earth (כָּל־הָאָרֶץ - kol-ha'arets):
- Kol (כָּל): Meaning "all," "every," or "the whole." It expresses totality and universality.
- Ha'arets (הָאָרֶץ): Means "the earth" or "the land." In this context, it unequivocally refers to the entire planet and all its inhabitants, beyond the specific confines of Israel. It declares the global and cosmic scope of God's dominion and the corresponding call for universal worship. This is a powerful declaration of YHWH's supreme authority over all nations and creation, contrasting sharply with local deities.
Words-group analysis
- "O sing to the Lord a new song": This phrase serves as a divine summons for a fresh, spirit-infused outpouring of praise. The "new song" signifies a qualitative rather than merely quantitative difference—a praise that is dynamically responsive to God's unfolding purposes and marvelous deeds. It invites a worship that isn't stagnant or rote, but vibrant and contemporary with God's ongoing activity in salvation history and His revelation to humanity. It's often connected with themes of deliverance or eschatological hope.
- "sing to the Lord, all the earth!": This declaration extends the worship command far beyond the confines of Israel, giving it a cosmic and universal dimension. It reveals God's ultimate plan for all creation to recognize and acclaim His sovereign authority. This is a prophetic vision of future Gentile inclusion and a strong polemic against all false gods and idolatries. It speaks to God's dominion over all peoples, requiring that every nation, tribe, and tongue ultimately turn to and worship the true YHWH. This phrase transforms a local exhortation into a global commission for praise.
Psalm 96 1 Bonus section
- This verse can be understood as an early hint of the missional heart of God, long before the New Testament’s Great Commission. The command for "all the earth" to sing signifies God's intention that His glory and salvation be known and celebrated universally.
- The concept of a "new song" frequently arises when God does something unprecedented, delivers a monumental salvation, or reveals a deeper aspect of His character. It suggests a departure from mere rote performance of praise, calling instead for a vibrant, Spirit-led expression that is a direct response to a fresh understanding of God.
- Psalm 96, along with Psalms 93 and 95-100, is part of a special grouping known as the "Yahweh Malak" (The Lord reigns) psalms, all emphasizing God's divine kingship and reign over all creation, making the command to "all the earth" highly thematic and central to their message.
- The Psalm's universal scope underscores that true worship transcends cultural or national boundaries, aiming for a unified, global chorus of praise to the one true Creator and King.
Psalm 96 1 Commentary
Psalm 96:1 is a majestic clarion call to worship the Lord, brimming with both an immediate command and profound prophetic anticipation. The instruction to "sing a new song" implies a worship that is not simply ritualistic but fresh, spontaneous, and born of a deeper understanding or new experience of God's nature and deeds. This new song celebrates new acts of salvation, a renewed spiritual encounter, or looks forward to the eschatological reality of God's ultimate reign. It signifies a praise that transcends former experiences, embodying a vibrant, heartfelt response to YHWH’s unique character and redemptive work.
The repetition of "sing to the Lord" and the concluding directive "all the earth" underscore the exclusive and universal nature of this worship. YHWH is the singular object of adoration, utterly supreme over any other claimant to deity. This global mandate challenges the prevalent polytheism and idolatry of the ancient world, asserting YHWH's uncontested sovereignty over every nation and every created being. It serves as a prophetic utterance, looking forward to the fulfillment in Christ when the gospel would be preached to all the earth and every knee would bow, confessing Jesus as Lord. The verse thus sets forth God’s comprehensive vision for worship, encompassing all of creation in a joyful, fresh acknowledgment of His matchless kingship.