Singing has always brought me so much joy. I sang in the children’s choir at church, in choral groups in middle and high school, and in various adult choirs. Whether I sing with a choir or quietly on my own, a song of praise turns my heart toward the Lord.
Today’s Bible passage calls everyone to praise the Lord. It is a hymn calling us to worship the One True God, the Creator of the Universe. His reign is glorious and eternal. Let’s worship Him for His beauty and majesty, and for His righteous judgment.
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day.
Psalm 96:1-2 (NIV)
Sing to the Lord
The psalmist repeats the same words three times: Sing to the Lord. The invitation is for everyone, “all the earth.” Some of us sing in a choir, and some of us sing only when no one else is listening. Either way, the Lord delights in the praise of His people.
What is a new song? The Lord’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Each day brings fresh reasons to praise Him. A new song is a heart that responds with gratitude to what God is doing today.
This psalm also appears in 1 Chronicles 16:23-33. David gave this song of thanks to Asaph and his fellow musicians on the day the ark of the covenant was brought to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16:7). It was a day of great celebration. Yet the psalmist reminds us that praise is not only for special occasions. We are to proclaim His salvation “day after day.”
Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods.
Psalm 96:3-4 (NIV)
Declare His Glory
Our song of praise reaches beyond the walls of the church. The psalmist calls us to declare the Lord’s glory among the nations and to tell everyone about His marvelous deeds.
Why? “For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise.” The next verse explains that the gods of the nations are only idols, “but the Lord made the heavens” (Psalm 96:5 NIV). The One we worship is the Creator of all things.
Each of us has a story of the Lord’s marvelous deeds: an answered prayer, a healing, provision at just the right time, or a hard season He carried us through.
During our years in seminary, the Lord provided for our family in amazing ways — jobs, a rental house, and unexpected financial support. One time, our rent was due in three days, and we did not have enough money to pay it. Walt went to the mailbox and found an anonymous gift that covered the entire rent. With humble hearts and tears of gratitude, we thanked the Lord for meeting our need.
That day, we learned once again that the Lord hears our prayers, our cries for help, and our pleas for strength and watchful care. It is good to recall His faithfulness in every season of our lives. When we share stories like this one, we declare His glory.
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
Psalm 96:10-12 (NIV)
The Lord Reigns
These three words have steadied God’s people for thousands of years: The Lord reigns. Kings and kingdoms rise and fall. Leaders change. Headlines come and go. Yet the Lord’s throne remains unshaken.
The psalmist tells us that the world “is firmly established, it cannot be moved.” When our lives feel unsettled, we can rest in the One who holds the whole world in His hands.
Then the psalmist calls all creation to join the song. The heavens rejoice, the earth is glad, and the sea resounds. Even “all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” I love that image. This fall, as the leaves turn red and gold, I’m reminded that creation is already singing His praise.
Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for He comes; He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.
Psalm 96:13 (NIV)
He Will Judge
The psalm closes with a promise: the Lord is coming. “He comes; He comes to judge the earth.”
For many of us, the word judge feels heavy. Yet here, all creation rejoices at the news. Why? Because the Judge is good. He will set everything right that has gone wrong in our world.
In Righteousness
The Lord’s judgment is always right. He sees clearly and judges fairly. He shows no favoritism and makes no mistakes. Every injustice we have witnessed or experienced will one day be made right.
In His Faithfulness
He also judges “in His faithfulness.” The Lord keeps His promises. For those who belong to Jesus, His coming is a day of joy. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 NIV). We can look forward to that day with hope.
Head to Heart
Psalm 96 invites us to sing, to declare, to trust, and to hope. Take some time this week and prayerfully consider these questions:
Sing to the Lord – What song of praise is on your heart this week? Sing it aloud, even if you are the only one listening.
Declare His Glory – What marvelous deed has the Lord done in your life? Who could you tell about it this week?
The Lord Reigns – What feels unsettled in your life right now? Bring it to the Lord, who reigns over all.
He Will Judge – Where do you long to see the Lord make things right? Ask Him to fill you with hope as you wait for His coming.
Breath Prayer:
Inhale: The Lord reigns
Exhale: I will sing to You
Friends, whether you sing in a choir, in your car, or quietly in your heart, let’s join all creation in a new song of praise. Sing to the Lord!