Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just calling for general praise; it's specifically asking for glory and strength to be ascribed to God. This highlights that true worship involves acknowledging both His inherent majesty and His powerful capabilities, not just a feeling of admiration. It's a call to recognize God as the source of all that is awe-inspiring and mighty.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm is a grand coronation anthem, celebrating God's universal kingship, especially after a new manifestation of His power. The preceding verses call Israel to proclaim this enthronement, and now the focus shifts, expanding to invite all the nations of the world, not just as individuals but as families and peoples, to acknowledge and worship the true God instead of idols. This call to universal homage anticipates a future Messianic era where access to God will be open to all.
Have you ever felt like worship is only for a select few? This psalm throws that idea out the window!
The psalm doesn't just call Israel to worship, but 'ye kindreds of the people,' which means families and nations from all over the world. It's a radical idea for its time!
A New Song for All
This isn't just a replay of old songs. It's a 'new song' (Psalm 96:1) celebrating God's reign as King over all creation, not just one nation. This newness points to a future where God's kingdom is inclusive, breaking down barriers that once separated people.
Beyond Borders
Imagine the impact: people from every background, every tribe, every 'family' being invited to come into God's presence. This is a vision of God's redemptive plan reaching far beyond the familiar, embracing everyone.
When we worship God, what are we actually 'giving' Him? This verse points to two powerful truths.
The psalm explicitly tells us what to ascribe to the LORD: 'glory and strength.'
Glory: Reflecting His Worth
'Glory' speaks of God's inherent worth, His majesty, His sheer splendor. It's about recognizing who He is and reflecting that back to Him. It's not something we create for Him, but something we acknowledge that is already His. When we live lives that honor Him, we are ascribing glory to His name.
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Strength: Acknowledging His Power
'Strength' refers to His power, His might, His dominion. It’s about recognizing that He is sovereign, the ultimate King over all creation. We give Him strength by acknowledging His authority in our lives and trusting in His power, especially when we face challenges.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel; the "I AM," indicating His eternal existence and faithfulness to His promises.
kābôd · Hebrew Noun
The weightiness, honor, brilliance, and presence of God; it represents the outward manifestation of His divine essence.
Written after the Babylonian Exile, Psalm 96 reflects a post-exilic hope, envisioning a time when all nations will recognize and worship the God of Israel, a profound shift from the pre-exilic focus solely on Israel's relationship with God.
c. 538 BC— this verse
Cyrus the Great issues decree
After conquering Babylon, Cyrus the Great allows exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This marks a pivotal moment of hope and restoration for the Jewish people.
c. 537 BC
First wave of Jewish returnees
Led by Zerubbabel, a significant group of Jewish exiles returns to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple and re-establish community life in Judah.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple rededicated
After considerable opposition and delays, the Second Temple in Jerusalem is finally completed and rededicated, symbolizing the re-establishment of worship and national identity.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's return to Jerusalem
Ezra, a scribe and priest, leads another group of exiles back to Jerusalem, focusing on religious reform and the strict observance of the Law.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah rebuilds Jerusalem's walls
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, receives permission to return to Jerusalem and oversee the rebuilding of the city's defensive walls, strengthening the community.
This passage is a direct parallel, as it uses the same wording to call on the families of the peoples to ascribe glory and strength to the LORD.
Isaiah 66:19This verse speaks of God sending survivors from Israel to the nations to declare His glory, echoing the psalm's theme of all peoples acknowledging God's greatness.
Psalm 29:1-2This earlier psalm contains very similar language, calling the 'sons of God' to ascribe glory and strength to the LORD, which Psalm 96 adapts for all the peoples of the earth.
Romans 12:1This New Testament passage calls believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, which is a spiritual fulfillment of the 'offering' mentioned in the psalm, representing our whole selves given to God's glory.
bensonPsalms 96:7: "Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength."
Psalm 96:7-9 . Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people — O ye people, from whatsoever family ye come, or, O ye nations of the world, Give unto the Lord glory and strength — Ascribe to Jehovah that incomparable majesty, and supreme dominion and authority, which you have been wont to give to your imaginary gods. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name — Renouncing all your idols,…
clarkePsalms 96:7: "Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength."
Ye kindreds of the people - Ye families, all the tribes of Israel in your respective divisions.
This verse isn't just calling for general praise; it's specifically asking for glory and strength to be ascribed to God. This highlights that true worship involves acknowledging both His inherent majesty and His powerful capabilities, not just a feeling of admiration. It's a call to recognize God as the source of all that is awe-inspiring and mighty.
This psalm is a grand coronation anthem, celebrating God's universal kingship, especially after a new manifestation of His power. The preceding verses call Israel to proclaim this enthronement, and now the focus shifts, expanding to invite all the nations of the world, not just as individuals but as families and peoples, to acknowledge and worship the true God instead of idols. This call to universal homage anticipates a future Messianic era where access to God will be open to all.
This psalm is a grand coronation anthem, celebrating God's universal kingship, especially after a new manifestation of His power. The preceding verses call Israel to proclaim this enthronement, and now the focus shifts, expanding to invite all the nations of the world, not just as individuals but as families and peoples, to acknowledge and worship the true God instead of idols. This call to universal homage anticipates a future Messianic era where access to God will be open to all.
"Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!" — This verse isn't just calling for general praise; it's specifically asking for glory and strength to be ascribed to God. This highlights that true worship involves acknowledging both His inherent…
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Last reviewed October 2026