Psalm 96 10

Psalm 96:10 kjv

Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

Psalm 96:10 nkjv

Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns; The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously."

Psalm 96:10 niv

Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.

Psalm 96:10 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."

Psalm 96:10 nlt

Tell all the nations, "The LORD reigns!"
The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
He will judge all peoples fairly.

Psalm 96 verses

Psalm 96 10 Meaning

Psalm 96:10 issues a powerful command to proclaim among all nations that the LORD (YHWH) is King, reigning sovereignly over all creation. This divine rule guarantees the steadfastness and stability of the entire inhabited world, assuring it will not be shaken from its foundations. Furthermore, it affirms God’s future act of justly judging all peoples with perfect equity and impartiality. This verse is a concise theological statement on God's universal sovereignty, the orderliness of His creation, and the righteousness of His impending judgment.

Psalm 96 10 Context

Psalm 96 is a universal hymn of praise, joy, and command to worship YHWH, declaring His glory and marvelous deeds to all nations. It is an enthronement psalm, part of a larger collection (Psalms 93-99) celebrating YHWH's kingship and often believed to have been used in public worship or during the dedication of the Second Temple. The psalm calls all creation—heavens, earth, sea, fields—to rejoice before the Lord, emphasizing His identity as the true God, Creator, and supreme Judge, in stark contrast to the impotent idols worshipped by other nations. Historically, this call for universal recognition of God's sovereignty would have provided comfort and hope to Israel, perhaps during exilic or post-exilic times, reminding them that despite present circumstances, God ultimately reigns over all human affairs and nations. This verse serves as a pivot, transitioning from the call to worship (verses 1-9) to the anticipation of His righteous coming for judgment.

Psalm 96 10 Word analysis

• Say: (ʼimru - אִמְרוּ). An imperative verb, a direct command. It denotes a proactive and intentional proclamation. This is not a passive waiting but an active declaration of truth.
• among the nations: (baggoyim - בַגּוֹיִם). Goyim refers to the Gentile nations or peoples beyond Israel. This specifies the universal scope of the command and the audience for the proclamation, challenging any insular view of God's domain.
• The LORD reigns!: (YHWH malakh! - יְהוָה מָלָךְ!). This is the core declaration. YHWH (the sacred, personal covenant name of God) indicates the true and living God. Malakh means "to be king, to reign, to exercise dominion." It describes an established, active, and ongoing kingship. This statement is a direct theological polemic against the numerous local and national gods of the ancient Near East, proclaiming YHWH as the sole sovereign over all creation and humanity.
• Indeed, the world: (ʼaf-tikon tevel - אַף-תִּכּוֹן תֵּבֵל). Tevel refers to the inhabited earth, the global landmass, indicating all places where humans dwell. ʼaf is an intensifier, meaning "indeed" or "surely," underscoring the certainty.
• is firmly established,: (tikon - תִכּוֹן). From the root kun, meaning "to be firm, stable, set up, prepared." It highlights the steadfastness and order of the created order, directly stemming from God’s rule, implying that stability is contingent upon His sovereignty.
• it will not be moved;: (bal timmot - בַל תִּמּוֹט). Bal is a strong negative particle, meaning "not at all" or "by no means." Timmot is from the root mūṭ, meaning "to waver, slip, totter, shake." This phrase strongly emphasizes the absolute and unwavering stability of God's creation under His reign, countering any notion of cosmic chaos or instability inherent in other ancient creation myths.
• He will judge: (yadin - יָדִין). From the root dīn, meaning "to judge, rule, govern, vindicate, defend." This encompasses not merely passing verdict but also exercising just rule, setting things right, and bringing order. It points to a future, decisive action.
• the peoples: (ʼamim - עַמִּים). The plural of ʼam, again stressing all the various human populations and nationalities, reinforcing the universal scope of God's judicial authority.
• with equity.: (bᵉmeyšarim - בְּמֵישָׁרִים). From yāshār, meaning "straight, upright, just, righteous." This assures that God's judgment is impartial, fair, and morally perfect, applying the same divine standard to all, unlike human courts that can be biased or corrupt.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Say among the nations, 'The LORD reigns!'": This phrase functions as a divine commission, instructing God’s people to proclaim His supreme authority globally. It represents an ancient form of evangelism, advocating for monotheism and universal recognition of YHWH's sovereignty. This contrasts with narrow, nationalistic religious views and establishes YHWH as King of kings, transcending all geographical and ethnic boundaries.
• "Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved;": This statement links the stability of the created order directly to YHWH's reign. It refutes chaos theology often found in pagan myths where cosmic order is fragile or maintained by lesser deities. God's unwavering rule guarantees cosmic integrity and security, providing reassurance and demonstrating His complete control.
• "He will judge the peoples with equity.": This asserts the righteousness and universality of God’s impending judgment. It underscores His moral governance over all humanity. This brings comfort to the oppressed, knowing their wrongs will be addressed, and serves as a warning to the wicked, confirming their accountability to a perfectly just God who shows no partiality.

Psalm 96 10 Bonus section

• Messianic Kingship: While speaking of YHWH, this verse has strong Messianic undertones, pointing forward to the ultimate reign of Jesus Christ. As God incarnate, Jesus embodies this kingship, exercising sovereign control (Col 1:16-17) and ultimately acting as the righteous Judge of all (Jn 5:22, Act 17:31).
• Polemics against Idolatry and False Gods: The declaration "The LORD reigns!" stands in stark contrast to the polytheistic beliefs of the surrounding nations. Their "gods" were viewed as impotent creations, incapable of ensuring cosmic stability or rendering true justice. This psalm explicitly rejects their claims and proclaims YHWH's exclusive and comprehensive sovereignty.
• Connection to Divine Order: The emphasis on the "world is firmly established, it will not be moved" directly challenges the prevalent ancient Near Eastern chaos myths, where the cosmic order was often fragile or the result of warring deities. The Psalm presents YHWH as the singular, all-powerful Creator and Sustainer who maintains perfect order by His very presence as King.

Psalm 96 10 Commentary

Psalm 96:10 is a foundational declaration of God’s supreme kingship and its implications for both the cosmos and humanity. The initial command, "Say among the nations," unveils the missionary heart of God within the Old Testament, calling His people to actively proclaim His sovereign rule beyond the confines of Israel. The core message, "The LORD reigns!", is not merely a statement of fact but a joyous, triumphant announcement of YHWH’s active and present governance. This reign brings order out of chaos, ensuring the stability and resilience of the created "world." The certainty that the earth "will not be moved" underscores the unwavering nature of God's dominion and providence. Finally, the verse culminates in the assurance of God’s ultimate, righteous judgment, applied universally "to the peoples with equity." This promises justice for the downtrodden and accountability for all, reinforcing God’s character as the just and impartial ruler of the entire cosmos. Practically, it encourages unwavering faith in God's ultimate control amidst worldly chaos and fuels the global mission to declare His truth. For instance, in times of societal upheaval, believers find comfort that the "world will not be moved" outside God's sovereign control. In the face of injustice, there is assurance that God "will judge... with equity."