Psalms 96:1

KJV

¶ O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

O sing {H7891} unto the LORD {H3068} a new {H2319} song {H7892}: sing {H7891} unto the LORD {H3068}, all the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sing to ADONAI a new song! Sing to ADONAI, all the earth!

Berean Standard Bible

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.

American Standard Version

Oh sing unto Jehovah a new song: Sing unto Jehovah, all the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 96:1 issues a vibrant and universal imperative to worship, establishing the foundational theme of the entire psalm: the celebration of God's unrivaled sovereignty and magnificent glory. It extends a compelling invitation not only to the people of Israel but to all humanity, urging them to engage in a fresh, dynamic, and spontaneous act of praise. This call acknowledges the Lord's unique kingship and His marvelous deeds across all creation, serving as an opening summons for the entire earth to recognize, declare, and joyfully participate in proclaiming the Lord's unparalleled majesty and redemptive power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 96 is strategically placed within a significant collection of "enthronement psalms" (Psalms 93, 95-99), which collectively proclaim and celebrate the LORD's kingship over all the earth. These psalms characteristically interweave remembrances of God's past acts of creation and salvation with an eschatological hope for the full establishment and universal acknowledgment of His righteous rule. The structure of Psalms 96 typically progresses from a global summons to worship, as seen in this opening verse, to a declaration of God's attributes, His righteous judgment, and the joyful response of all creation to His reign. Its inclusion in [1 Chronicles 16:23-33](/1_chronicles/16-23-33 "1 Chronicles 16:23-33 - David's Song of Praise for the Ark's Arrival") as part of David's song of praise when the ark of the covenant was brought to Jerusalem powerfully underscores its liturgical importance and its central role in proclaiming God's universal kingship within Israel's worship life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Psalms 96, particularly its appearance in [1 Chronicles 16](/1_chronicles/16 "1 Chronicles 16 - David's Song of Praise"), points to a period of profound national celebration and the formal establishment of a central place of worship in Jerusalem. The bringing of the ark of the covenant symbolized God's tangible presence among His people, solidifying Jerusalem's role as the spiritual and political capital. In ancient Israelite culture, worship was deeply communal and often linked to significant national events, festivals, or acts of divine deliverance. The psalm's revolutionary call for "all the earth" to sing stands in stark contrast to the prevailing polytheistic views of surrounding nations, who often confined their deities to specific territories or peoples. This psalm articulates Israel's unique monotheistic understanding of YHWH as the one true God, sovereign over all creation and all peoples, a concept that would have been both distinctive and profoundly challenging to the prevailing worldview of the ancient Near East.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 96:1 introduces several profound themes that resonate throughout the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. The foremost theme is **The Call to Worship**, an urgent, imperative summons emphasizing worship as the fundamental and non-negotiable response to God's inherent nature and His mighty deeds. The phrase "a new song" introduces the theme of **Dynamic and Renewed Praise**, suggesting that true worship is not rote or stagnant but fresh, spontaneous, and continually inspired by God's ongoing revelation and mighty acts. This concept prophetically anticipates the eschatological "new song" sung by the redeemed in [Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The New Song of the Redeemed"), celebrating God's ultimate redemption through Christ. Finally, the command to "sing unto the LORD, all the earth" establishes the pervasive theme of **Universal Praise and God's Global Sovereignty**. This highlights God's dominion over all creation and expresses a prophetic vision that, ultimately, all peoples and nations will acknowledge and praise Him, echoing the divine call for [all the ends of the earth to turn to Him](/isaiah/45-22 "Isaiah 45:22 - God's Call to All Nations") found in the prophetic books.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sing (Hebrew, _shîyr'_):** This verb (H7891) is a primitive root meaning "to sing," often associated with joyful, vocal expression of adoration and praise. In the Psalms, "singing" is frequently linked to recounting God's mighty deeds, His faithfulness, and His character. It denotes an active, participatory form of worship, not merely passive reception, inviting a full-throated response to the divine.
* **New (Hebrew, _châdâsh'_):** This adjective (H2319) signifies something fresh, renewed, or recent. When applied to a "song," it suggests praise that is not merely a repetition of old forms but is born out of a renewed understanding, a fresh experience of God's greatness, or in response to a new act of deliverance or revelation. It implies a dynamic, rather than static, relationship with God, encouraging believers to find fresh reasons and ways to express their adoration.
* **Earth (Hebrew, _ʼerets'_):** This noun (H776) refers to the earth at large, or partitively a land or country. In Psalms 96:1, its use in "all the earth" expands the scope of the command beyond Israel to encompass the entire globe and all its inhabitants. It underscores the universal dominion of the LORD and the ultimate prophetic vision of worldwide worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O sing unto the LORD a new song:"** This opening clause is a powerful imperative, a direct and urgent command to engage in worship. The initial "O" emphasizes the passionate and compelling nature of this summons. The explicit object of this singing is "the LORD" (YHWH), the covenant God of Israel, highlighting His unique and exclusive claim to worship. The instruction to sing "a new song" suggests that this praise is not merely traditional or ritualistic, but fresh, spontaneous, and perhaps in response to a new revelation of God's character, a recent act of salvation, or a renewed apprehension of His majesty. It calls for a heartfelt, dynamic, and ever-renewed expression of devotion.
* **"sing unto the LORD, all the earth."** This second clause reiterates the imperative to sing to the LORD, reinforcing the command with emphasis. Crucially, it dramatically expands the scope of the worshipers from an implied Israel to "all the earth." This is a profound theological statement, asserting God's universal sovereignty and the prophetic vision that His glory is not confined to one people or nation but is meant to be proclaimed globally. It anticipates a day when every corner of creation will acknowledge and praise the one true God, underscoring the universal reach of His dominion and the ultimate destiny of all humanity to worship Him.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 96:1 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its urgent and universal message. The most prominent is the **Imperative Mood**, indicated by the direct commands "O sing" and "sing." This forceful language underscores the non-negotiable nature of worship and the urgency of the divine call. The **Repetition** of the phrase "sing unto the LORD" serves to emphasize both the central action of praise and the divine recipient, creating a rhythmic and memorable opening that reinforces the core message. Furthermore, the phrase "all the earth" functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Synecdoche**, where a part (the earth) represents the whole (all its inhabitants, all nations, all creation). This device powerfully conveys the **Universalism** inherent in God's reign, extending the call to worship far beyond the boundaries of Israel to encompass every corner of the globe. The verse also implicitly uses **Call to Worship** as a genre element, immediately establishing the psalm's purpose and inviting the audience into an act of communal praise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 96:1 is a foundational declaration of God's universal kingship and the proper response of all creation to His sovereignty. Theologically, it asserts that the Lord is not merely a tribal deity but the supreme ruler over all nations and the entire cosmos. The call for a "new song" signifies that God's ongoing work in creation and redemption constantly provides fresh reasons for praise, moving beyond past experiences to embrace new revelations of His glory and grace. This dynamic worship anticipates a future where every knee will bow and every tongue confess His name. The verse thus lays the groundwork for a theology of global mission, where the knowledge of God's salvation is to be proclaimed to all peoples, inviting them into the grand chorus of praise.

* [Psalms 33:3](/psalms/33-3 "Psalms 33:3 - Sing a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.")
* [Psalms 98:1](/psalms/98-1 "Psalms 98:1 - O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things.")
* [Isaiah 42:10](/isaiah/42-10 "Isaiah 42:10 - Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the end of the earth.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 96:1 challenges believers today to ensure their worship is dynamic, heartfelt, and expansive. It is a powerful reminder that our praise should not be stagnant or formulaic, but continually renewed by a fresh apprehension of God's character and His ongoing work in our lives and in the world. What "new thing" has God done in your life or in the world that compels a fresh expression of gratitude and adoration? This verse also expands our vision beyond individual or congregational worship, reminding us of the global scope of God's kingdom. It compels us to consider our role in inviting "all the earth" to join in this chorus of praise, actively participating in the proclamation of God's glory and salvation to every nation, tribe, and tongue. Our worship, therefore, should be both deeply personal and profoundly missional, reflecting the universal reign of our King.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "a new song" mean for your personal worship life? How can your praise to God be fresh and dynamic?**
* **How does the command for "all the earth" to sing influence your understanding of God's sovereignty and the mission of the church?**
* **In what ways can you contribute to the global chorus of praise that Psalms 96:1 envisions?**

### FAQ
**Why is it important to sing a "new song" rather than just repeating old ones?**

Answer: The concept of a "new song" (Hebrew: _shîyr châdâsh_) in Psalms 96:1 doesn't necessarily mean a newly composed melody, though it can include that. More profoundly, it signifies praise that is fresh, spontaneous, and born out of a renewed understanding or experience of God's greatness and His mighty acts. It implies a qualitative newness in devotion. God is a living God who continually acts in history and in the lives of His people. Each new act of deliverance, each new revelation of His character, each new season of grace, calls for a fresh response of worship. This encourages dynamic worship rather than rote recitation, ensuring it remains a vibrant and heartfelt response to God's ongoing presence and power, echoing the new song sung by the redeemed in [Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The New Song of the Redeemed").

**Does "all the earth" literally mean everyone, or is it symbolic?**

Answer: While "all the earth" (Hebrew: _kol ha'arets_) in Psalms 96:1 is a sweeping phrase, it carries both literal and symbolic weight. Literally, it expresses God's universal dominion over all creation and all humanity, emphasizing that His sovereignty is not confined to Israel but extends to every nation and every corner of the globe. Symbolically, it functions as a prophetic vision and a theological declaration that ultimately, all peoples and nations are called to acknowledge and praise Him. This aligns with other prophetic passages that envision a future day when the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (e.g., [Isaiah 11:9](/isaiah/11-9 "Isaiah 11:9 - The Earth Filled with the Knowledge of the Lord")) and when every knee will bow to Him ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). It underscores the universal scope of God's redemptive plan and the ultimate destiny of all creation to worship its Creator.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 96:1, with its universal call to sing a "new song" to the Lord, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "new song" anticipated here is fully realized in the New Covenant established through Christ's sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. He is the one who performs the "marvelous deeds" ([Psalms 98:1](/psalms/98-1 "Psalms 98:1 - Marvelous Deeds of the LORD")) that warrant this fresh, unprecedented praise. The universal scope of the psalm—the command for "all the earth" to sing—is directly addressed by Christ's Great Commission, where His disciples are sent to make disciples of [all nations](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - Make Disciples of All Nations"), teaching them to observe all that He commanded. Through the Gospel, the praise of God is truly extended beyond Israel to every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, creating a global chorus of worshipers. Moreover, the "Lord" to whom all the earth is to sing is revealed in the New Testament as Jesus Christ Himself, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords"). Ultimately, the "new song" of the redeemed in [Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9-10 "Revelation 5:9-10 - The New Song to the Lamb") is sung to the Lamb, who was slain and by His blood ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, making them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. Thus, Psalms 96:1 is a prophetic overture to the universal reign of Christ and the global worship He rightfully receives.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 16:23

Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.

1 Chronicles 16:33

Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth.

Psalms 149:1

¶ Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, [and] his praise in the congregation of saints.

Psalms 98:1

¶ A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

Psalms 33:3

Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

Revelation 14:3

And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

Psalms 67:3

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.