Psalm 96:1, 3-5, 7-10
Our responsorial psalm for this week comes from Psalm 96, a hymn celebrating God’s kingship over all the earth.
It provides a fitting response to Isaiah’s declaration that there is no God besides the LORD, calling upon all nations to recognize his sovereignty and “give to the LORD the glory due his name.”
Sing to the LORD a new song;
The psalm begins with a call to worship and praise God with song, specifically, a “new song.”
Throughout the Psalms, a new song is associated with God’s saving works and the renewed praise they inspire (e.g., Psalms 33:3; 40:4; 98:1). The emphasis is not simply on composing something novel, but on responding afresh to what God has done.
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
The Hebrew phrase kol-hāʾāres, translated here as “all you lands,” literally means “all the earth.”
In context, the summons embraces all peoples: everyone, in every land and culture, is called to worship the LORD.
Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
Kābôd, the Hebrew word translated as “glory,” conveys God’s honor, majesty, and splendor. Here his glory is made known through the wondrous deeds he has accomplished.
Israel is therefore called not only to praise the LORD but to proclaim his greatness among the nations.
For great is the LORD and highly to be praised; awesome is he, beyond all gods. For all the gods of the nations are things of nought, but the LORD made the heavens.
The psalm contrasts the LORD with the gods worshiped by the surrounding nations. The Hebrew word ’ĕlîlîm, translated here as “things of nought,” conveys their worthlessness and impotence.
The contrast could hardly be greater. The gods of the nations are powerless, but the LORD is the creator of the heavens themselves. His sovereignty is therefore not confined to Israel but extends over all creation.
Give to the LORD, you families of nations, give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name! Bring gifts, and enter his courts.
The psalm continues to invite all people (“families of nations”) to give the God of Israel the honor and praise that his name deserves, including an invitation to bring gifts or tribute to the courts of the Temple.
The imagery is striking. The nations, each with their own gods and forms of worship, are summoned to enter the courts of Israel’s God and bring him their gifts.
The LORD is not presented merely as Israel’s national deity, but as the universal king to whom the worship of every nation properly belongs.
Worship the LORD, in holy attire; tremble before him, all the earth;
The expression translated “in holy attire” can also be understood as referring to the “splendor of holiness.” In either case, the language evokes the solemn beauty and reverence appropriate to worship.
say among the nations: The LORD is king,
The psalm reaches its central proclamation: “The LORD is king.”
God’s kingship is not limited to Israel. The nations themselves are to hear the announcement that the LORD reigns, because his authority extends over the whole world.
he governs the peoples with equity.
The LORD’s kingship is expressed in his just rule. He governs the peoples with fairness and righteousness, exercising his authority without partiality.
