The big picture
Psalms 96 opens in verse 1 with “O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD , all the earth.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 7 with “Give unto the LORD , O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.”, and closes in verse 13 with “Before the LORD : for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, earth, people, glory, judge. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 13Psalms 96:1-7
1–7: O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD , all the earth.
Psalms 96:1–7 opens with “O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD , all the earth.” and reaches “Give unto the LORD , O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 96 develops its own movement around LORD, earth, people, glory, judge, with particular weight carried by LORD, sing, glory.
Context that brings the passage to life
“O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD , all the earth.” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, sing, earth. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.
Psalms 96:1-7
King James Version1O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD , all the earth.
2Sing unto the LORD , bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.
3Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
4For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
5For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
6Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7Give unto the LORD , O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Psalms 96:8-13
8–13: Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and…
Psalms 96:8–13 opens with “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.” and reaches “Before the LORD : for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 96 develops its own movement around LORD, earth, people, glory, judge, with particular weight carried by LORD, earth, judge.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.” Naming Give keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 96:8-13
King James Version8Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
10Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.
11Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
12Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
13Before the LORD : for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 96:1 begins with “O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD , all the earth.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 96:7 forms a natural hinge: “Give unto the LORD , O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.”
The final note
Psalms 96:13 leaves the reader with “Before the LORD : for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, earth, people, glory, judge, sing help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.