The phrase "families of the peoples" highlights that this worship isn't just for individuals or one nation, but for all humanity, united in their diverse family structures, called to give God glory. It's a radical idea for its time, envisioning a global community acknowledging God's reign over all, not just over a select group.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a grand song calling all nations to worship the Lord, who is now revealed as King over all creation. Following an invitation for Israel to proclaim God's greatness, the psalm expands its scope, urging "families of the peoples" to recognize God’s supreme glory and power, shifting from Israel's perspective to a global one. This sets the stage for the subsequent verses that detail the worship all nations will bring to God’s courts.
The psalm isn't just for a select few; it's a global invitation. Who is invited, and why?
This psalm dramatically expands the audience for worship. While older traditions might focus on one nation, Psalm 96 calls out to 'families of the peoples.' This is a radical idea: every tribe, every nation, every 'family' is called to recognize and honor God.
It's a call for unity in worship, acknowledging that the God of Israel is the God of all nations. This echoes the New Testament vision where the 'middle wall of partition' is broken down, and Gentiles are welcomed into God's presence alongside Jewish believers.
What exactly are we supposed to 'give' to God? It's more than just a feeling.
The psalm directs us to ascribe 'glory and strength' to the LORD. This isn't about God needing anything from us; it's about us rightly recognizing and declaring His inherent qualities.
Glory refers to His radiance, His majesty, His inherent worthiness of honor. Strength points to His power, His might, His absolute authority and dominion.
When we 'give' these to Him, we are confessing that He alone possesses them and that all other supposed sources of glory and strength are ultimately insufficient or false.
Understand the original words
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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.
minḥâ · Hebrew Noun
A gift or tribute given to God as an act of worship, thanksgiving, or atonement to acknowledge His sovereignty and grace.
ḥāṣēr · Hebrew Noun
The designated areas within the Temple compound where the people of God gather to offer worship and sacrifices.
ḥāwâ · Hebrew Verb
The act of bowing down, showing profound reverence, service, and homage to God as the sole Creator and Sovereign.
qōdeš · Hebrew Noun
The moral and essential purity of God; His "otherness" and perfection which demands reverence and separation from sin.
ḥîl · Hebrew Verb
A posture of awe, fear, and reverence in the presence of God’s majesty, acknowledging His supreme power and holiness.
Psalm 96, with its call to all nations, takes on new meaning in light of the Babylonian Exile and the subsequent return. It reflects a post-exilic hope that God's kingship, once centered on Jerusalem, would ultimately encompass the entire world, even Gentile peoples.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and deport many Judeans, marking a devastating spiritual and national low point. This event profoundly shaped Jewish identity and hope for restoration.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Conquest of Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus conquers Babylon, ushering in a new era and allowing exiled peoples, including the Judeans, to return to their homeland.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus and Return of Exiles
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Judean exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, initiating the period of Second Temple Judaism.
c. 516 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
The Second Temple in Jerusalem is completed, a crucial symbol of restored worship and national identity for the returned exiles.
c. 3rd-2nd century BC— this verse
Composition of Psalm 96
Psalm 96 is likely composed or compiled during the Second Temple period, possibly reflecting on the restoration and anticipating a universal acknowledgment of God's kingship.
This passage is a near verbatim repetition of the command in Psalm 96:7, showing the ancient call for all peoples to acknowledge God's glory and strength in their communal lives.
Isaiah 42:10The call to 'sing a new song' in Psalm 96, which Psalm 96:7 is part of, echoes Isaiah's prophecy, highlighting a new era of God's revelation of His kingly power to all nations.
Psalm 29:1-2Psalm 96:7 shares significant thematic overlap with Psalm 29, both calling on 'sons of God' or 'families of peoples' to ascribe glory and strength to the LORD, emphasizing His majestic power.
Romans 12:1This New Testament passage calls believers to present their bodies as a 'living sacrifice,' which spiritually parallels the Old Testament call to bring offerings and worship, fulfilling the essence of ascribing glory and strength to God.
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.
The phrase "families of the peoples" highlights that this worship isn't just for individuals or one nation, but for all humanity, united in their diverse family structures, called to give God glory. It's a radical idea for its time, envisioning a global community acknowledging God's reign over all, not just over a select group.
This passage is part of a grand song calling all nations to worship the Lord, who is now revealed as King over all creation. Following an invitation for Israel to proclaim God's greatness, the psalm expands its scope, urging "families of the peoples" to recognize God’s supreme glory and power, shifting from Israel's perspective to a global one. This sets the stage for the subsequent verses that detail the worship all nations will bring to God’s courts.
This passage is part of a grand song calling all nations to worship the Lord, who is now revealed as King over all creation. Following an invitation for Israel to proclaim God's greatness, the psalm expands its scope, urging "families of the peoples" to recognize God’s supreme glory and power, shifting from Israel's perspective to a global one. This sets the stage for the subsequent verses that detail the worship all nations will bring to God’s courts.
"Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;…" — The phrase "families of the peoples" highlights that this worship isn't just for individuals or one nation, but for all humanity, united in their diverse family structures, called to give God glory.…
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Last reviewed October 2026
