Psalms 96:8

KJV

Give unto the LORD the glory [due unto] his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

KJV (with Strong's)

Give {H3051} unto the LORD {H3068} the glory {H3519} due unto his name {H8034}: bring {H5375} an offering {H4503}, and come {H935} into his courts {H2691}.

Complete Jewish Bible

give ADONAI the glory due to his name; bring an offering, and enter his courtyards.

Berean Standard Bible

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and enter His courts.

American Standard Version

Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name: Bring an offering, and come into his courts.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 96:8 is an emphatic summons to all people to render to Yahweh the honor and adoration that inherently belongs to His divine character and majestic being. It is a clarion call to active, intentional worship, urging believers to approach God with tangible expressions of devotion—symbolized by offerings—and to enter His sacred presence within the designated spaces of worship, acknowledging His supreme sovereignty and worthiness of all praise.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 96 stands as a vibrant, universal hymn of praise, forming part of a significant block of psalms (Psalms 93-99) often referred to as "Yahweh Malak" psalms, meaning "The LORD reigns." This collection celebrates God's kingship, His righteous governance, and His coming judgment upon the earth. Psalm 96 itself begins with a global invitation to "Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!" [Psalms 96:1](/psalms/96-1 "Psalms 96:1 - A Call to Universal Praise"), setting a tone of expansive, inclusive worship. Verse 8, therefore, functions as a specific instruction within this broader celebratory context, detailing *how* this universal praise is to be expressed. It transitions from the general call to sing and declare God's salvation (verses 1-3) and His incomparable greatness (verses 4-6) to the practical acts of worship that acknowledge His glory and presence (verses 7-9).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed likely for public worship, possibly connected to a major festival or the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem, Psalms 96 reflects the liturgical practices of ancient Israel. The mention of "offering" (מִנְחָה, _minchah_) points to the established sacrificial system, which was central to Israelite worship, signifying devotion, thanksgiving, and atonement. The "courts" (חֲצֵרוֹת, _hatzerot_) refer to the physical outer areas of the Tabernacle or, more likely by this period, the Temple, where worshippers gathered to present their sacrifices and engage in communal praise. This physical space was understood as the locus of God's manifest presence, and entering it was an act of drawing near to the divine. The psalm's universal scope, calling "all the earth" and "all the families of the peoples" [Psalms 96:7](/psalms/96-7 "Psalms 96:7 - A Universal Summons to Worship") to worship, suggests a prophetic anticipation of a time when Gentile nations would also acknowledge Yahweh, a theme echoed in later prophetic literature.
* **Key Themes:** The verse encapsulates several pivotal theological and narrative themes prevalent throughout the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **God's Inherent Glory and Sovereignty**, emphasizing that His glory is not something we *give* Him as if He lacks it, but rather something we *acknowledge* and *attribute* to Him because it is eternally and supremely His. This theme resonates with passages like [Isaiah 42:8](/isaiah/42-8 "Isaiah 42:8 - God's Jealousy for His Glory"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Active and Intentional Worship**, portraying worship not as a passive sentiment but as a dynamic, physical, and spiritual engagement involving tangible acts of devotion. This aligns with the biblical emphasis on whole-person worship, as seen in the call to love God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength ([Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - The Great Commandment")). Lastly, the verse points to the **Privilege of Access to God's Presence**, emphasizing the importance of drawing near to God in His designated place of worship, a concept central to the covenant relationship between God and His people, foreshadowing the ultimate access granted through Christ as described in [Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Bold Access to God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Glory (Hebrew, _kavod'_):** The Hebrew term כָּבוֹד (_kavod_) literally means "weight," "heaviness," or "substance." In a theological context, it conveys the idea of God's inherent importance, honor, splendor, majesty, and reputation. To "give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name" is not to add to God's glory, for He is already infinitely glorious, but rather to recognize, acknowledge, and attribute to Him the immense weight, significance, and splendor that are intrinsically His. It is an act of acknowledging His true nature and worth.
* **Offering (Hebrew, _minchah'_):** The word מִנְחָה (_minchah_) typically refers to a "grain offering" or "tribute," often presented voluntarily as an act of devotion, thanksgiving, or homage, rather than a sin offering. While it could involve material gifts, in the context of worship, it signifies a presentation of oneself or one's labors as an act of heartfelt devotion and submission. It emphasizes worship as a joyful, intentional presentation, not merely a ritualistic duty.
* **Courts (Hebrew, _hatzerot'_):** The term חֲצֵרוֹת (_hatzerot_) refers to the outer courtyards of the Tabernacle or, more commonly, the Temple in Jerusalem. These were the designated physical spaces where the people gathered to worship, offer sacrifices, and experience communal fellowship with God. "Come into his courts" therefore signifies a physical and spiritual act of drawing near to God's manifest presence, entering the sacred space where He had chosen to dwell among His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Give unto the LORD the glory [due unto] his name":** This is an imperative command, urging worshippers to acknowledge and attribute to God the honor, majesty, and intrinsic worth that is rightfully His. God's "name" here represents His entire revealed character, His attributes, and His very being. The phrase "due unto" (implied in the KJV translation, but inherent in the Hebrew) emphasizes that this glory is not something we bestow arbitrarily but something that is owed to Him because of who He is.
* **"bring an offering":** This second imperative calls for a tangible act of worship. The "offering" (_minchah_) signifies a dedicated presentation, an act of homage and devotion that involves giving of oneself or one's resources. It moves beyond mere verbal praise to a physical expression of commitment and gratitude, demonstrating the worshipper's active participation and submission to God.
* **"and come into his courts":** The final imperative directs worshippers to draw near to God's presence in the designated sacred space. This implies both a physical approach to the Temple courtyards and a spiritual posture of seeking intimacy and communion with God. It highlights the privilege and importance of corporate worship and the communal experience of God's presence.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 96:8 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The predominant device is **Imperative Mood**, seen in the repeated commands "Give," "bring," and "come." This direct, authoritative tone underscores the non-negotiable nature of worship and the urgency of responding to God's worthiness. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, particularly a form of synonymous or progressive parallelism, where the second and third clauses ("bring an offering, and come into his courts") elaborate on and reinforce the initial command to "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name." The act of bringing an offering and entering His courts are concrete ways to give Him glory. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Metonymy** where "his name" stands for God's entire character and being, and "his courts" represent the very presence of God. The psalm also functions as a **Call to Worship**, a literary genre common in the Psalms, designed to invite and direct congregational participation in adoration of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 96:8 serves as a foundational statement on the nature of true worship, echoing profound theological truths found throughout Scripture. It asserts God's absolute sovereignty and inherent worthiness of all praise, demanding a response from humanity that is both internal (acknowledging His glory) and external (bringing offerings, entering His presence). This holistic understanding of worship—involving both heart and action—is a consistent biblical theme, emphasizing that our devotion is not merely emotional but also involves tangible expressions of obedience and dedication. The call to "give glory" to His name underscores that worship is fundamentally about rightly orienting ourselves to God's supreme majesty, recognizing that all honor and praise belong to Him alone.

* [Psalms 29:2](/psalms/29-2 "Psalms 29:2 - Worship in the Beauty of Holiness")
* [1 Chronicles 16:29](/1_chronicles/16-29 "1 Chronicles 16:29 - Give Glory and Bring Offerings")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 96:8 is a timeless invitation to a life of profound worship. It challenges us to move beyond superficial acknowledgment of God to a deep, heartfelt recognition of His intrinsic glory and worth. "Giving glory to the LORD" means living a life that reflects His character, honoring Him in our thoughts, words, and deeds, and attributing all success and goodness to His benevolent hand. "Bringing an offering" transcends mere financial giving; it calls us to present our entire lives—our time, talents, resources, and even our struggles—as a living sacrifice of praise and devotion. "Coming into His courts" signifies the intentional pursuit of God's presence, whether in corporate worship, private prayer, or diligent study of His Word. In an age of distraction, this verse reminds us that true worship requires intentionality, dedication, and a conscious effort to draw near to the One who is supremely worthy of all our adoration. Our worship should be active, heartfelt, and continually reflect the glory that is due to His magnificent name.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways can I "give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name" in my daily life, beyond formal worship settings?**
* **What "offerings" (beyond material possessions) might God be calling me to bring to Him as an act of devotion and thanksgiving?**
* **How can I more intentionally "come into His courts" and experience His presence, both individually and in community?**
* **Does my worship truly reflect the inherent worth and majesty of God, or is it often self-focused?**

### FAQ

**What does "the glory due unto his name" mean, and how do we give it to God?**

Answer: "The glory due unto his name" refers to the inherent, infinite splendor, majesty, and worth that belongs to God by virtue of His being. It's not something we bestow upon Him as if He lacks it, but rather something we acknowledge, recognize, and attribute to Him because it is His by right. We "give" it to Him by living lives that honor Him, by declaring His greatness, by obeying His commands, by offering Him praise and thanksgiving, and by surrendering our will to His. It means recognizing His supreme authority and beauty in all things, as seen in [1 Corinthians 10:31](/1_corinthians/10-31 "1 Corinthians 10:31 - Do All to the Glory of God").

**What kind of "offering" is being referred to in this verse, and how does it apply to believers today?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "offering" here is _minchah_, which typically refers to a grain offering or a tribute, often given voluntarily as an act of devotion or thanksgiving. It was not primarily a sin offering. For believers today, while the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, the principle of bringing an offering remains. This translates to offering ourselves as "living sacrifices" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as Living Sacrifices")), offering "the sacrifice of praise" ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - The Sacrifice of Praise")), and offering our time, talents, resources, and obedience as acts of worship and dedication to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 96:8 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The call to "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name" is perfectly embodied in Christ, who is "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory")). In His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus perfectly glorified the Father, demonstrating the full weight and splendor of God's character, power, and love. Furthermore, the command to "bring an offering" is fulfilled in Christ's singular, perfect sacrifice on the cross, where He offered Himself as the spotless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), taking away the sin of the world. This ultimate offering provides the basis for all true worship. Finally, "come into his courts" is transformed from a physical entry into a temple courtyard to spiritual access into God's very presence through Christ. Because of His atoning work, believers now have "boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus" ([Hebrews 10:19](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19 - Boldness to Enter the Most Holy Place")), making every place a "court" where we can draw near to God. Thus, in Christ, the ancient call to worship is not merely echoed but fully realized, enabling a worship that is truly in "spirit and truth" ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")).

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

Psalms 100:4

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name.

Romans 12:1

¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.

Exodus 34:5

¶ And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.

Exodus 34:9

And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it [is] a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.

Psalms 72:10

The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

Psalms 108:3

I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

Psalms 108:5

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;