Psalms 96:7

Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

Give {H3051} unto the LORD {H3068}, O ye kindreds {H4940} of the people {H5971}, give {H3051} unto the LORD {H3068} glory {H3519} and strength {H5797}.

Give ADONAI his due, you families from the peoples; give ADONAI his due of glory and strength;

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe unto Jehovah, ye kindreds of the peoples, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength.

Commentary

Psalms 96:7 issues a powerful universal call to worship, urging all peoples and nations to acknowledge and ascribe fitting honor to the Lord. It commands a recognition of God's inherent worth and omnipotence, setting the stage for a global chorus of praise.

Context

Psalm 96 is a vibrant psalm of praise, part of a collection (Psalms 93-99) often referred to as "enthronement psalms," which celebrate the Lord's reign as King over all the earth. This particular psalm begins with a call to sing a "new song" (Psalms 96:1), emphasizing a fresh, enthusiastic recognition of God's majesty. Verse 7 specifically broadens the scope of this worship from Israel to all the "kindreds of the people," anticipating a future time when God's sovereignty will be universally acknowledged.

Key Themes

  • Universal Call to Worship: The phrase "O ye kindreds of the people" (Hebrew: mishpachot ammim, "families of peoples") is crucial. It underscores that the call to worship is not limited to a select group or nation but extends to every ethnic group and family on earth. This prophetic vision of global worship finds its ultimate fulfillment in passages like Revelation 7:9, where a multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language stands before the throne.
  • Ascribing Glory: To "give unto the LORD glory" means to acknowledge His inherent splendor, majesty, and honor. The Hebrew word for glory, kabod (ื›ึธึผื‘ื•ึนื“), conveys the idea of weight, significance, and intrinsic worth. It's about recognizing God for who He truly isโ€”the magnificent Creator and Sovereign Ruler. This is a recurring theme throughout scripture, as seen in the similar command in 1 Chronicles 16:29, which is nearly identical to this verse.
  • Ascribing Strength: To "give unto the LORD strength" is to recognize His omnipotence, power, and might. The Hebrew term for strength, oz (ืขึนื–), speaks to God's vigor, defense, and ability to execute His will without hindrance. It's an acknowledgment that all true power originates from Him and that He is mighty to save and to judge.

Linguistic Insights

The repetition of "give unto the LORD" emphasizes the deliberate and intentional act of ascribing these attributes. It's not a passive recognition but an active declaration of God's supreme nature. The Hebrew word for "give" (habu, ื”ึธื‘ื•ึผ) is an imperative, a direct command to bring or ascribe to God what is rightfully His.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 96:7 serves as a powerful reminder of our ongoing responsibility:

  1. Intentional Worship: We are called to consciously and actively give God the glory and strength due to His name, not just in formal worship services but in our daily lives.
  2. Global Perspective: This verse broadens our understanding of God's kingdom. It encourages us to pray for and participate in the spread of the Gospel, so that all "kindreds of the people" might come to know and worship the Lord.
  3. Living a Life of Testimony: Our lives should reflect the glory and strength of God. When we live righteously and depend on His power, we effectively "give unto the LORD glory and strength" by demonstrating His character to a watching world.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 19:1

    ยถ And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

  • Matthew 6:13

    And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

  • Revelation 5:9

    And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

  • Psalms 22:27

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

  • 1 Chronicles 29:11

    Thine, O LORD, [is] the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all [that is] in the heaven and in the earth [is thine]; thine [is] the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:13

    Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

  • Revelation 7:12

    Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
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