Psalms 96:1

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Psalm 96:1 opens with a vibrant, imperative call to worship, setting the tone for a psalm that celebrates God's universal sovereignty and glory. It exhorts not just Israel, but all humanity, to participate in a fresh act of praise.

Context

Psalm 96 is one of the "enthronement psalms" (Psalms 93, 95-99) which celebrate the LORD's kingship over all the earth. These psalms often combine past acts of salvation with a future, eschatological hope for God's righteous rule to be fully established and acknowledged by all nations. This particular psalm also appears in 1 Chronicles 16:23-33, where it is part of the song of praise sung when the ark of the covenant was brought to Jerusalem, indicating its significance in Israel's worship life.

Key Themes

  • The Call to Worship: The verse begins with a direct command, "O sing unto the LORD," emphasizing that worship is not optional but a fundamental response to God's nature and deeds.
  • A New Song: The phrase "a new song" (Hebrew: shir chadash) suggests praise that is fresh, spontaneous, and born out of a renewed understanding or experience of God's greatness and His mighty acts. It's not merely a different melody, but a qualitatively new expression of devotion, perhaps in response to new revelations or deliverances. This concept anticipates the new song sung by the redeemed in Revelation, celebrating God's ultimate redemption.
  • Universal Praise: The command extends to "all the earth," signifying God's dominion over all creation and a prophetic vision that ultimately, all peoples and nations will acknowledge and praise Him. This universal scope highlights that God's glory is not confined to one people but is meant to be proclaimed globally, much like the prophetic call for all the ends of the earth to turn to Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "new song" is shir chadash (ืฉึดืื™ืจ ื—ึธื“ึธืฉื). The word chadash means "new" in the sense of fresh, renewed, or recent. It implies a song that is appropriate for a new occasion, a new act of God, or a new spiritual understanding. It encourages dynamic worship rather than rote recitation, inviting believers to find fresh reasons and ways to express their adoration.

Practical Application

Psalm 96:1 challenges believers today to ensure their worship is dynamic and heartfelt, not stagnant. It encourages us to find new reasons to praise God, acknowledging His ongoing work in our lives and in the world. Furthermore, it reminds us of the global mission of the church: to invite "all the earth" to join in this chorus of praise, proclaiming God's glory and salvation to every nation.

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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

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

  • Psalms 98:1

    ยถ 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.