Psalm 96 3

Psalm 96:3 kjv

Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

Psalm 96:3 nkjv

Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.

Psalm 96:3 niv

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Psalm 96:3 esv

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!

Psalm 96:3 nlt

Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.

Psalm 96 verses

Psalm 96 3 Meaning

Psalm 96:3 is a divine imperative, a direct command to God's people to actively and broadly proclaim His supreme attributes to all humanity. It calls for the communication of two primary aspects of God: His intrinsic majesty, often associated with His being and character, and His astounding actions, which are tangible demonstrations of His power and intervention in the world. The target audience for this proclamation is explicitly universal—encompassing all ethnic groups and nations, challenging any perception of God as limited to one people.

Psalm 96 3 Context

Psalm 96 is a universal summons to worship the Lord, presented as the rightful sovereign over all creation and a stark contrast to the idols of other nations. The chapter begins with an exhortation to sing a "new song" (v. 1), indicative of a fresh revelation or renewed understanding of God's character and salvation. This call is extended to "all the earth," immediately establishing its global scope. Verses 1-2 lay the foundation by calling for daily proclamation of His salvation. Verse 3, therefore, builds upon this by specifying what is to be proclaimed – His "glory" and "wonders" – and reinforces the universal target audience: "the nations" and "all peoples."

Historically, Israel was often tempted to confine God's reach and blessing to themselves. This psalm challenges that narrow view, acting as a powerful prophetic vision of God's universal dominion and the global reach of His truth. It's set against a backdrop where surrounding cultures worshipped myriad local deities and national gods, each with their specific attributes and territories. Psalm 96:3 functions as a polemic against such limited views, asserting that the God of Israel is the one true God whose glory and acts extend over all peoples, requiring a global witness from His worshippers. It looks forward to a day when all creation acknowledges Him, setting the stage for the climactic judgment and righteous rule described later in the psalm.

Psalm 96 3 Word analysis

• Declare (סַפְּרוּ, sappᵉrû):

  • An imperative verb, meaning to tell, recount, narrate, number.
  • More than a simple announcement; it implies a detailed, perhaps even an enumerated, recounting.
  • It denotes a public, articulate, and complete testimony.
  • Signifies making something fully known, not merely mentioning it.
  • Requires active participation and verbal communication from the worshipper.

• his glory (כְּבוֹדֹו, kᵉb̠ōḏōw):

  • Kāvôd refers to weight, honor, majesty, splendor, or renown.
  • It encapsulates God's intrinsic excellence, His inherent greatness, His awesome presence, and His divine essence.
  • It is the manifest radiance and overwhelming power of God's being.
  • Presents God as supremely valuable and worthy of all adoration.

• among the nations (בַגֹּויִם, ḇaggōwīm):

  • Gôyîm plural, referring to Gentiles, peoples, or non-Israelite nations.
  • Specifically denotes those outside the covenant community of Israel.
  • Underscores the universal scope of the command, extending beyond ethnic boundaries.
  • This term directly contrasts with the often exclusive religious practices of the time.

• his wonders (נִפְלְאֹתָיו, nip̄lᵉʾōṯāyw):

  • From pālāʾ, meaning to be wonderful, extraordinary, or surpassing.
  • Refers to God's marvelous acts, miraculous deeds, or astounding interventions.
  • These are events that inspire awe, transcend natural explanations, and reveal God's omnipotence.
  • Often connected to specific acts of salvation or judgment in history, such as the Exodus.
  • Points to God's dynamic and active involvement in the world.

• among all peoples (כָּל־הָעַמִּים, kāl-hāʿammîm):

  • Kōl meaning "all," and ʿammîm meaning "peoples" or "ethnic groups."
  • Serves as a parallel parallelism to "among the nations," reinforcing the absolute universality of the proclamation.
  • Emphasizes the inclusive nature of God's plan and the comprehensive scope of His fame.
  • Reinforces that no group or tribe is to be excluded from hearing of God's majesty and acts.

Words-group analysis:

• "Declare his glory": A mandate to communicate God's essential being, character, and inherent splendor. It's about proclaiming who God is in His ultimate worth and magnificence. This involves evangelism but also a profound theology of God.
• "among the nations, his wonders among all peoples": This phrase highlights the comprehensive target audience (every distinct people group on earth) and the dual focus of the message. "His glory" is His character and presence; "his wonders" are His mighty deeds, a historical manifestation of His power. The pairing suggests a holistic proclamation: communicate God's majestic identity and His undeniable acts in the world. This is a clear foreshadowing of global missionary activity, implying that the Good News is for all.

Psalm 96 3 Bonus section

This verse is often referred to as an "Evangelistic Psalm," anticipating the universal mission found explicitly in the New Testament. It establishes a fundamental purpose for God's people: to be heralds of His truth to the ends of the earth. The repetition of the universal terms "nations" (goyim) and "peoples" (ammim) emphasizes God's sovereign claim over all humanity and His desire for all to know Him. The emphasis on both "glory" and "wonders" suggests that an effective witness involves communicating God's nature (who He is) and His acts (what He has done). His works provide tangible evidence of His character, making His glory evident and undeniable. The imperative mood ("Declare!") indicates this is not an optional suggestion but a divine command, foundational to the identity and calling of God's worshipping community across all ages.

Psalm 96 3 Commentary

Psalm 96:3 encapsulates a core biblical truth: the true God is not a tribal deity but the universal King whose majesty and mighty works are to be known by all humanity. This verse is a powerful call to worship, transitioning into an urgent commission. It's not enough to praise God within one's own community; His greatness demands global proclamation. The "glory" refers to His inherent worth and character, while "wonders" point to His miraculous, active demonstrations of power throughout history. The combination implies a holistic witness: communicating God's unparalleled identity and His awe-inspiring interventions.

This mandate shatters any ethno-centric religious perspective. The God of Israel is for "all peoples," challenging the idol-worship prevalent in contemporary pagan cultures whose gods were limited to specific territories or human imagination. It reveals that God's plan has always been redemptively global, not confined to one nation. For the New Covenant believer, this echoes the Great Commission (Matt 28:19), extending the witness of God's glory and saving acts (fulfilled in Christ) to the ends of the earth. This verse implies that an encounter with God's wonders should naturally lead to a declaration of His glory, inspiring worship among those who hear.

Practical usage:

• Encourages believers to share personal testimonies of God's "wonders" in their lives.
• Calls for the church to engage in cross-cultural missions to proclaim His "glory."
• Challenges individuals to speak openly of God's majesty in everyday conversations.