Psalms 96:3

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

Declare {H5608} his glory {H3519} among the heathen {H1471}, his wonders {H6381} among all people {H5971}.

Declare his glory among the nations, his wonders among all peoples!

Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all peoples.

Declare his glory among the nations, His marvellous works among all the peoples.

Commentary

Psalms 96:3 (KJV) is a powerful call to global evangelism and worship, urging God's people to spread the knowledge of His majesty and miraculous deeds to all corners of the earth.

Context

Psalm 96 is one of the "enthronement psalms" (Psalms 93-100), which celebrate the Lord's universal reign and coming kingdom. The psalm begins with a command for a "new song" to the Lord, acknowledging His salvation and blessing His name (Psalm 96:1-2). Verse 3 expands this call to worship beyond Israel, making it a universal mandate. The entire psalm anticipates a time when all creation and all nations will acknowledge and praise God's righteous rule and awesome power, culminating in His coming to judge the earth with equity (Psalm 96:13).

Key Themes

  • Universal Declaration of God's Glory: The verse explicitly commands the declaration of God's attributes not only among Israel but also "among the heathen" (the nations or Gentiles) and "among all people." This highlights God's desire for all humanity to know Him.
  • God's Glory: This refers to God's inherent splendor, majesty, honor, and perfect character. It encompasses His holiness, power, wisdom, and love. Declaring His glory means proclaiming who He is in His essence.
  • God's Wonders: These are His miraculous acts, extraordinary deeds, and mighty works, particularly those demonstrating His power in creation and salvation history. These "wonders" serve as undeniable evidence of His divine nature and active involvement in the world.
  • Missions and Evangelism: At its core, this verse is a foundational call to missions. It predates the New Testament's Great Commission but echoes the same divine heart for all people to hear about God's saving acts and magnificent character.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "declare" is sappĕrū (סַפְּרוּ), which means to recount, to tell in detail, or to make known. It implies a purposeful and comprehensive proclamation, not just a casual mention. The term "glory" (kāḇôḏ - כְּבוֹדוֹ) signifies the weight, honor, and visible manifestation of God's presence and character. "Heathen" (goyim - גּוֹיִם) specifically refers to the non-Israelite nations, emphasizing the global scope of this command. "Wonders" (niplĕʾōṯ - נִפְלְאוֹתָיו) points to His marvelous, extraordinary, and often supernatural deeds that inspire awe.

Practical Application

Psalms 96:3 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. It serves as a timeless reminder of the mission to spread the knowledge of God to every person:

  • Personal Evangelism: Every believer is called to share the good news of God's character and His redemptive acts with those around them, whether through direct testimony or by living a life that reflects His glory.
  • Global Missions: The verse underscores the imperative for the church to support and engage in cross-cultural missions, ensuring that the Gospel reaches every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, just as commanded in Matthew 28:19.
  • Worship and Awe: Recognizing God's "glory" and "wonders" should naturally lead to a deep sense of worship and awe. As we meditate on His character and His mighty deeds, our praise is amplified, and we are compelled to share His greatness.
  • Living as a Witness: Our lives themselves can be a declaration of God's glory and wonders. By embodying Christian virtues and demonstrating the transforming power of God, we become living testimonies that draw others to Him, much like how creation itself declares God's glory (Psalm 19:1).

Ultimately, Psalms 96:3 is a divine imperative to make God known, celebrating His majesty and miracles so that all people might come to worship the Lord.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Daniel 4:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

  • Daniel 4:3 (6 votes)

    How great [are] his signs! and how mighty [are] his wonders! his kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion [is] from generation to generation.

  • Psalms 22:27 (6 votes)

    All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

  • Isaiah 19:23 (5 votes)

    In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.

  • Isaiah 19:25 (5 votes)

    Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed [be] Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

  • Luke 24:47 (5 votes)

    And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

  • Isaiah 49:6 (3 votes)

    And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.