Psalm 96:1-3, 11-13

The responsorial psalm for Midnight Mass comes from Psalm 96, a hymn inviting all of humanity to praise God and rejoice in his glory.

This psalm fits our Christmas celebration perfectly as heaven and earth together rejoice at the arrival of the Savior.

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. 

Instead of invoking traditional words of praise, the psalmist calls for newness.

A “new song” bursts forth when God acts in history, when his saving power breaks into our lives with fresh wonder. We see this in Israel’s song at the Red Sea (Exodus 15) and Deborah’s victory hymn (Judges 5): praise erupts as the only fitting response to God’s mighty deeds.

Here, the summons expands beyond Israel’s borders. It is not just one people but all the earth (’eres) that is commanded to join the chorus. Every land, every nation, every voice is drawn into this universal hymn.

Midnight Mass itself embodies this vision: the Incarnation is not a private gift but joy for the whole world. The “new song” is the song of creation renewed, humanity restored, and salvation unveiled in Christ.

Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

Names hold profound significance in Jewish tradition, symbolizing a person’s character, identity, and destiny.

To bless God’s name is not a casual utterance but a profound declaration that honors his holy nature and acknowledges his greatness.

Announce his salvation, day after day. Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

The call to praise is not confined to this moment; the good news of this salvation is to be proclaimed unceasingly, day after day, among all peoples, as a continual response to God’s saving acts.

The glory (kābôd) of God refers to the visible manifestation of God’s splendor. While it is usually revealed in the Temple, here it is also associated with the wondrous deeds God has accomplished.

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.

The psalmist’s call to praise broadens. He calls upon the entire cosmos — both heaven and earth — to rejoice in the Lord.

They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes; for he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy.

The psalm culminates in the proclamation of God’s coming as the righteous judge, whose reign establishes justice and steadfast truth.

This psalm perfectly echoes the joy of Christmas night: in Christ’s birth, God’s saving justice is revealed, and all creation is invited to join in the cosmic celebration of his glory.