Psalm 96 is a beautiful and powerful chapter in the Book of Psalms, found in the Old Testament of the Bible. This psalm is a hymn of praise, celebrating the glory and majesty of God. It calls upon all creation to worship the Lord and proclaims His righteous reign over the world. Here is a breakdown and interpretation of Psalm 96: Sing a new song to the Lord! Sing it everywhere around the world! Sing out his praises! Bless his name. Each day tell someone that he saves. Publish his glorious acts throughout the earth. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. For the Lord is great beyond description and greatly to be praised. Worship only him among the gods! For the gods of other nations are merely idols, but our God made the heavens! Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty are in his Temple. O nations of the world, confess that God alone is glorious and strong. Give him the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come to worship him. Worship the Lord with the beauty of holy lives. Let the earth tremble before him. Tell the nations that Jehovah reigns! He rules the world. His power can never be overthrown. He will judge all nations fairly. Let the heavens be glad, the earth rejoice; let the vastness of the roaring seas demonstrate his glory. Praise him for the growing fields, for they display his greatness. Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise. For the Lord is coming to judge the earth; he will judge the nations fairly and with truth! Call to Worship (Verses 1-3): The psalm begins with a call to sing a new song to the Lord. This new song signifies a fresh expression of worship and praise. The call is extended to all the earth, indicating that worship of God is universal. The faithful are encouraged to proclaim God's salvation every day and declare His glory and marvelous deeds to all nations. The Greatness of God (Verses 4-6): These verses emphasize the supremacy and greatness of the Lord. He is described as being worthy of all praise and to be feared above all other gods. This is because the gods of the nations are mere idols, while the Lord is the Creator of the heavens. His presence is characterized by splendor, majesty, strength, and glory. Ascribing Glory to God (Verses 7-9): Here, families of nations are urged to ascribe glory and strength to the Lord and give Him the glory due to His name. They are invited to bring offerings and come into His courts, worshiping Him in the splendor of His holiness. The earth is called to tremble before Him, recognizing His holy and majestic nature. The Reign of God (Verse 10): The psalm proclaims that the Lord reigns over all. His reign brings stability to the world, which is firmly established and cannot be moved. This verse also speaks of God's righteous judgment, assuring that He will judge the peoples with equity. Joy of Creation (Verses 11-13): The closing verses of the psalm depict a joyous response from all of creation. The heavens, earth, sea, fields, and forests are all called to rejoice before the Lord. This joy is in anticipation of the Lord's coming to judge the earth. His judgment will be characterized by righteousness and faithfulness, bringing justice to the world. Psalm 96 remains relevant for believers today as it calls for continuous and universal praise of God. It reminds us of God's greatness, His role as Creator, and His righteous judgment. This psalm encourages believers to share the message of God's salvation with all nations and to live in a way that reflects His glory and holiness. It also offers hope and assurance that God's righteous reign will bring justice and joy to all of creation. In a world often filled with challenges and uncertainties, Psalm 96 provides a powerful reminder of God's enduring majesty and the joy that comes from worshiping Him. It encourages us to look beyond our immediate circumstances and join in the universal chorus of praise, celebrating our Creator. Living Bible Translation