Psalms 96:12

KJV

Let the field be joyful, and all that [is] therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice

KJV (with Strong's)

Let the field {H7704} be joyful {H5937}, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees {H6086} of the wood {H3293} rejoice {H7442}

Complete Jewish Bible

let the fields exult and all that is in them. Then all the trees in the forest will sing

Berean Standard Bible

Let the fields exult, and all that is in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy

American Standard Version

Let the field exult, and all that is therein; Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 96:12 is a vibrant poetic declaration that extends the call for worship and exultation to the entirety of the natural world. It vividly portrays the field and all its contents, along with the trees of the wood, bursting forth in unbridled joy and celebration. This cosmic rejoicing is presented as a direct, anticipatory response to the Lord's impending arrival to judge the earth with righteousness and truth, signifying a universal acknowledgment of His sovereign reign and the establishment of divine order.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 96 is situated within a collection of enthronement psalms (Psalms 93-99) that celebrate the Lord's kingship and His coming reign. The psalm commences with a universal call to "sing unto the Lord a new song," urging all the earth to declare His salvation and glory among the nations, as seen in [Psalm 96:1-3](/psalms/96-1-3 "Psalm 96:1-3 - A New Song to the Lord"). It sharply contrasts the true God, the Creator, with the impotent idols of the heathen, asserting His unique power and majesty. Verses 11-13 specifically depict creation's effusive response to God's anticipated advent. [Psalm 96:11](/psalms/96-11 "Psalm 96:11 - Let the Heavens Rejoice") calls for the sea and its fullness, the world and its inhabitants, to rejoice, setting the stage for the terrestrial elements in verse 12. The joy of the field and trees in verse 12 directly precedes and serves as a climactic response to the declaration in [Psalm 96:13](/psalms/96-13 "Psalm 96:13 - The Lord Comes to Judge"), which states that "He cometh to judge the earth." Thus, this verse functions as a crescendo of universal praise, culminating in the revelation of God's righteous judgment and the establishment of His just rule.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the natural world was frequently perceived as intrinsically linked to the divine, reflecting the power and character of various deities. For Israel, however, Yahweh was uniquely the sole Creator and Sustainer of all things, and His sovereignty extended over every facet of creation. The imagery of nature responding to God's presence and actions is a common motif in Hebrew poetry, reflecting a worldview where the cosmos is not a silent, indifferent backdrop but an active, responsive participant in the divine drama. The "field" (Hebrew: _sâdeh_), representing cultivated, ordered land, and the "trees of the wood" (Hebrew: _ʻêts yaʻar_), representing wild, untamed nature, together form a merism. This rhetorical device signifies the totality of the earth's terrestrial environment, emphasizing God's comprehensive dominion over both human-managed and wild domains, and the universal scope of His coming reign and redemptive work.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 96 and broader biblical theology. It underscores the **universal sovereignty of God**, asserting His dominion not only over humanity but over all creation, from the heavens to the deepest parts of the earth. It highlights the theme of **cosmic praise**, where the natural world, in its very existence and flourishing, testifies to God's glory and joins in the chorus of worship, echoing the declaration in [Psalm 19:1](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory"). Furthermore, it emphasizes the **anticipation of divine justice**, portraying creation's joyous response to the Lord's coming to establish righteousness and truth on earth. This "judgment" is not primarily punitive but redemptive, bringing order and peace to a world groaning under the effects of sin, as profoundly articulated in [Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groans"). The psalm also develops the theme of a "new song," suggesting a fresh, invigorated form of worship that acknowledges God's unique role as Creator and coming King, distinguishing Him from the false gods of the nations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **field (Hebrew, _sâdeh'_):** From an unused root meaning "to spread out," this term refers to a flat, open expanse of land, typically cultivated or arable. It can denote the country, ground, land, or soil. In this context, it represents the ordered, productive, and life-sustaining aspects of the earth, often associated with human habitation and agricultural endeavors.
* **joyful (Hebrew, _ʻâlaz'_):** A primitive root meaning "to jump for joy," "to exult," or "to triumph." It denotes an active, demonstrative, and often outward expression of happiness, implying a vibrant and unreserved display of delight. It's not a passive feeling but an energetic, almost physical manifestation of gladness, suggesting a lively, almost dancing, response from the field.
* **rejoice (Hebrew, _rânan'_):** A primitive root, properly meaning "to creak (or emit a stridulous sound)," but commonly used to mean "to shout (usually for joy)," "to sing aloud," or "to give a ringing cry." When applied to trees, it suggests a rustling, a swaying, or a sound that echoes a joyful song, contributing to a resounding, audible chorus from the earth itself, as if the very leaves and branches are singing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let the field be joyful, and all that [is] therein":** This clause personifies the cultivated land, the very source of human sustenance, as bursting with joy. "All that is therein" encompasses its crops, its animals, and all the life it supports. It evokes a picture of flourishing, abundance, and vitality, where the land itself, in its fruitfulness, expresses an exuberant delight in its Creator and His impending righteous rule. This is a call for the ordered, productive aspects of creation to participate in the universal celebration, reflecting a state of blessedness under God's just reign.
* **"then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice":** This second clause extends the scope of the cosmic celebration to the wild, untamed forests and woodlands. The "trees of the wood" (or "forest trees") represent the natural world beyond human cultivation, symbolizing the vast, unmanaged expanses of creation. Their "rejoicing" suggests a vibrant, perhaps even audible, expression of praise – perhaps through the rustling of leaves, the swaying of branches, or a metaphorical "clapping of hands" as seen elsewhere in prophetic literature (e.g., [Isaiah 55:12](/isaiah/55-12 "Isaiah 55:12 - Trees Clap Their Hands")). Together with the field, this creates a comprehensive picture of the entire terrestrial environment participating in the grand symphony of praise, acknowledging God's dominion over both the cultivated and the wild.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 96:12 is rich in **personification**, attributing human emotions and actions—joy and rejoicing—to inanimate objects and natural elements like the "field" and "trees of the wood." This device vividly conveys the idea that creation is not a passive backdrop but an active, sentient participant in the divine drama, instinctively responding to God's presence and coming reign. The verse also employs **merism**, a rhetorical device where two contrasting parts represent the whole; "the field" (cultivated land) and "the trees of the wood" (wild forests) together encompass the totality of the earth's landmass, signifying a universal scope of praise. Furthermore, the use of the **imperative mood** (translated "Let...") functions as a poetic declaration or an invitation, not merely a command, emphasizing the inevitability and appropriateness of creation's joyous response to the Lord. The imagery itself borders on **hyperbole**, an exaggeration for poetic effect, underscoring the immense and overwhelming nature of the anticipated cosmic celebration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the biblical truth that creation is not merely a passive stage for human history but an active, responsive entity within God's grand narrative. It highlights God's comprehensive sovereignty, asserting that His dominion extends not only over humanity but over every aspect of the natural world. The cosmic joy depicted here anticipates the ultimate restoration of creation, which, though currently groaning under the weight of sin, eagerly awaits its liberation and the full manifestation of God's righteous reign. This perspective challenges believers to see the natural world as a testament to God's glory and to join in its inherent song of praise, recognizing that all things, both animate and inanimate, are designed to reflect and respond to their Creator.

* [Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groans and Waits")
* [Psalm 19:1](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory")
* [Isaiah 55:12](/isaiah/55-12 "Isaiah 55:12 - Trees Clap Their Hands")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 96:12 invites us to broaden our understanding of worship beyond human voices alone, recognizing that our praise is part of a grand, cosmic symphony where all creation is called to participate. This perspective can deepen our personal worship, moving us from an anthropocentric view to a more holistic, creation-centered appreciation of God's majesty. It challenges us to be more attentive to the natural world, seeing it not merely as a resource but as a living testament to God's power, creativity, and goodness, fostering a profound sense of wonder and gratitude. Furthermore, the verse instills profound hope in the ultimate triumph of God's justice and peace. Knowing that creation itself yearns for and rejoices in God's righteous reign should encourage us to live in anticipation of that day, striving to align our lives with His kingdom values of justice, truth, and peace, and to care for the creation that so eagerly awaits its full liberation. This cosmic vision should inspire us to participate actively in God's redemptive work, both in our personal lives and in our engagement with the world around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing creation's joy in God deepen your own worship and sense of awe?**
* **In what practical ways can you better observe and appreciate God's glory in the natural world around you, joining its silent (or not-so-silent) praise?**
* **What does the anticipation of God's righteous reign and the universal restoration mean for how you live and interact with the world today?**

### FAQ
**Why is creation depicted as "joyful" and "rejoicing" in this psalm?**

Answer: This depiction is a powerful poetic expression of creation's inherent response to its Creator and its eager anticipation of God's righteous rule. It signifies a universal, unbridled celebration of God's sovereignty and the coming establishment of divine order, justice, and peace on earth. The psalm portrays creation as having an innate awareness of God's glory and a longing for His full manifestation, which will bring about ultimate flourishing and liberation. It speaks to a deep, inherent connection between the Creator and His creation, where the latter instinctively responds to the former's presence and redemptive activity.

**Does this mean trees literally clap their hands or fields literally sing?**

Answer: No, this is **personification**, a common and powerful literary device in Hebrew poetry. It attributes human qualities, emotions, and actions to inanimate objects or abstract concepts to vividly convey a spiritual truth. While fields do not literally become joyful or trees literally shout for joy, the imagery emphasizes the profound and universal impact of God's presence and coming judgment. It implies that even the non-human creation instinctively acknowledges and celebrates Him, and that His reign will bring about such a profound transformation that all of creation will respond with exuberant delight. This device helps us grasp the magnitude of God's glory and the comprehensive scope of His redemptive work, as seen in other prophetic passages like [Isaiah 55:12](/isaiah/55-12 "Isaiah 55:12 - Trees Clap Their Hands").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The cosmic joy envisioned in Psalms 96:12 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is not only the Creator through whom all things were made and hold together, as affirmed in [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer"), but also the one through whom all things, visible and invisible, are reconciled to God, as declared in [Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ"). The "new song" of praise in Psalm 96 foreshadows the new covenant established through Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection, which inaugurates a new era of redemption for humanity and creation alike. His first coming, though marked by humility, brought the kingdom of God near, and His second coming will fully establish His righteous reign, ushering in a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells, as promised in [2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth"). The "field" and "trees of the wood" rejoicing anticipate the day when creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God, a profound hope articulated in [Romans 8:21](/romans/8-21 "Romans 8:21 - Creation's Hope for Freedom"). Ultimately, the universal praise of Psalms 96:12 culminates in the revelation of Christ as the Lamb on the throne, to whom every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, will declare praise, honor, glory, and power forever and ever, as beautifully depicted in [Revelation 5:13](/revelation/5-13 "Revelation 5:13 - All Creation Worships the Lamb").

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

Isaiah 55:12

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap [their] hands.

Isaiah 55:13

Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign [that] shall not be cut off.

Isaiah 35:1

¶ The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

Isaiah 44:23

Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done [it]: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.

Isaiah 42:10

Sing unto the LORD a new song, [and] his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.

Isaiah 42:11

Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up [their voice], the villages [that] Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.

Psalms 65:12

They drop [upon] the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.