Psalms 96:3-10

Context

96:3 Tell the nations about his splendor!

Tell¹ all the nations about his amazing deeds!

96:4 For the Lord is great and certainly worthy of praise;

he is more awesome than all gods.²

96:5 For all the gods of the nations are worthless,³

but the Lord made the sky.

96:6 Majestic splendor emanates from him;⁴

his sanctuary is firmly established and beautiful.⁵

96:7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the nations,

ascribe to the Lord splendor and strength!

96:8 Ascribe to the Lord the splendor he deserves!⁶

Bring an offering and enter his courts!

96:9 Worship the Lord in holy attire!⁷

Tremble before him, all the earth!

96:10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!

The world is established, it cannot be moved.

He judges the nations fairly.”

[96:3] ¹tn The verb “tell” is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).

[96:4] ²tn Or perhaps “and feared by all gods.” See Ps 89:7.

[96:5] ³tn The Hebrew term אֱלִילִים (’elilim, “worthless”) sounds like אֱלֹהִים (’elohim, “gods”). The sound play draws attention to the statement.

[96:6] ⁴tn Heb “majesty and splendor [are] before him.”

[96:6] ⁵tn Heb “strength and beauty [are] in his sanctuary.”

[96:8] ⁵tn Heb “the splendor of [i.e., “due”] his name.”

[96:9] ⁶tn Or “in holy splendor.”