Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse calls us not just to know God's works, but to declare them; it's a command for active witness that extends beyond our immediate circles to encompass "all the peoples." This isn't about casual sharing, but a bold proclamation of God's glory and the astounding nature of what He does.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm begins with a call for a "new song" from all the earth, celebrating God's reign as King over all nations. The verses following this call urge believers to proclaim God's glory and wonderful works beyond Israel, reaching out to all peoples. This sets the stage for the psalm's expansion to include not just humanity, but all of creation in its worship of the Lord who is coming to judge and reign.
Have you ever felt that God's goodness is too big to keep to yourself? This psalm isn't just for a select few; it's a global invitation.
Psalm 96 calls for a "new song" to be sung by "all the earth." This isn't limited to the people of Israel but extends to all nations.
A New Song for All
This "new song" signifies a fresh understanding and experience of God's saving power, particularly in light of His kingly reign being revealed to everyone. It's about recognizing God's supremacy not just in one place, but everywhere.
Beyond Borders
The verse explicitly commands us to "declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!" This highlights that God's works and glory are not meant to be hidden but proclaimed universally. It's a mandate for worship that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries.
What makes God's glory so special that it needs to be declared to every single person on earth?
The psalm urges us to "declare his glory" and "his marvelous works." This isn't just about listing accomplishments; it's about revealing the very character and nature of God.
The Essence of Glory
God's glory encompasses His majesty, His power, His holiness, and His beauty – all the perfections that make Him uniquely God. It's the radiant manifestation of His presence and His being.
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Marvels Beyond Comprehension
His "marvelous works" are the extraordinary acts that demonstrate this glory. These are deeds so vast, wise, and benevolent that they inspire awe and astonishment, far beyond anything human power can achieve. Declaring these works is how we invite others to recognize His supreme worth.
Understand the original words
kabod · Hebrew Noun
The manifest presence, weight, majesty, and splendor of God that demands recognition and awe from all creation.
goyim · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the non-Israelite peoples or ethnic groups, emphasizing God's universal lordship and the scope of His redemptive mission.
niphle'owth · Hebrew Noun
Extraordinary, wondrous, or miraculous acts performed by God that display His power and intervene in human history.
yare · Hebrew Verb
A reverential, deep awe and trembling respect for God's holiness and power, leading to obedience and worship.
This psalm likely emerged during the post-exilic period, a time when the Jewish people, having been restored to their land and Temple, were called to proclaim God's faithfulness and might not just to their own people, but to all the nations that had witnessed their exile and return.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus allows return
After decades in Babylonian exile, Cyrus the Great issues a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple completed
The rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem is finally completed, marking a significant moment of restoration and renewed worship for the returned exiles.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's reforms
Ezra the scribe leads another group of exiles back to Jerusalem, emphasizing strict adherence to the Law and religious purity.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah rebuilds walls
Nehemiah leads the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, facing significant opposition and strengthening the community's physical and spiritual resolve.
c. 4th century BC— this verse
Post-exilic Period
Judea exists as a province within larger empires (Persian, then Hellenistic), with ongoing efforts to maintain religious and cultural identity.
This passage echoes the call for a 'new song' and the proclamation of God's deeds, directly linking to the psalm's theme of announcing God's glory to all peoples.
1 Chronicles 16:24This verse is a direct parallel, almost identical in wording, showing the ancient tradition of declaring God's glory and works among all nations.
Romans 15:10-11The Apostle Paul quotes from this psalm (or a very similar passage) to demonstrate that the Gentiles are called to praise God, reinforcing the universal scope of God's declaration.
Luke 24:47Jesus speaks of repentance and forgiveness of sins being proclaimed to all nations, a direct fulfillment of the command to declare God's glory and works among the peoples.
Revelation 7:9This vision of a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language worshipping God points to the ultimate fulfillment of declaring His glory among all peoples.
expositorsPsalms 96:1-13: "O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth."
Psalm 96:1-13 THE praise of Jehovah as King has, in the preceding psalms, chiefly celebrated His reign over Israel. But this grand coronation anthem takes a wider sweep, and hymns that kingdom as extending to all nations, and as reaching beyond men, for the joy and blessing of a renovated earth. It fails into four strophes, of which the first three contain three verses each, while the last extends to four. The…
cambridgePsalms 96:3: "Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people."
3 . Tell of his glory among the nations, His marvellous works among all the peoples. Cp. Isaiah 66:18 ; and see note on Psalm 9:1 .
The verse calls us not just to know God's works, but to declare them; it's a command for active witness that extends beyond our immediate circles to encompass "all the peoples." This isn't about casual sharing, but a bold proclamation of God's glory and the astounding nature of what He does.
This psalm begins with a call for a "new song" from all the earth, celebrating God's reign as King over all nations. The verses following this call urge believers to proclaim God's glory and wonderful works beyond Israel, reaching out to all peoples. This sets the stage for the psalm's expansion to include not just humanity, but all of creation in its worship of the Lord who is coming to judge and reign.
This psalm begins with a call for a "new song" from all the earth, celebrating God's reign as King over all nations. The verses following this call urge believers to proclaim God's glory and wonderful works beyond Israel, reaching out to all peoples. This sets the stage for the psalm's expansion to include not just humanity, but all of creation in its worship of the Lord who is coming to judge and reign.
"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods." — The verse calls us not just to know God's works, but to declare them; it's a command for active witness that extends beyond our immediate circles to encompass "all the peoples." This isn't about…
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Last reviewed October 2026