Psalms 96:1

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 96:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Oh sing unto Jehovah a new song: Sing unto Jehovah, all the earth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Oh sing unto Jehovah a new song: Sing unto Jehovah, all the earth.
Psalms 96:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 96

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Oh sing unto Jehovah a new song: Sing unto Jehovah, all the earth.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“O sing unto the Lord a new song, etc.] A famous excellent one, suited to Gospel times, on account of the new benefit and blessing of redemption and salvation lately obtained by the Messiah; which should be sung to him, who is the Lord or Jehovah here designed, by all the redeemed ones, (<660509>Revelation 5:9), (see Gill on “<193303>Psalm 33:3”), the Targum adds, “sing, ye angels on high:” sing unto the Lord all the earth: not the whole land of Israel only, as Aben Ezra interprets it; though here the Saviour first appeared, taught his doctrines, wrought his miracles, suffered, and died for the salvation of his people; here the angels first begun the new song; and here those that believed in…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The writer celebrates the Lord's dominion over nations and nature, describes its effect on foes and friends, and exhorts and encourages the latter. (Psa 97:1-12) This dominion is a cause of joy, because, even though our minds are oppressed with terror before the throne of the King of kings (Exo 19:16; Deu 5:22), we know it is based on righteous principles and judgments which are according to truth.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“O sing unto the Lord a new song - See the notes at Psalms 33:3. This is the only addition made to the original form of the psalm. The word new here implies that there was some fresh occasion for celebrating the praises of God; that some event had occurred, or that some truth relating to the divine character had now been made known, which could not well be expressed in any psalm or hymn then in use. It is a call on all to celebrate the praises of the Lord in a “new” song - new, particularly, as it calls on “all the earth” to join in it; and possibly this was designed to suggest the idea that while that temple stood, a dispensation would commence, under which the distinction between the Jews…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“O sing - Upon this new and great occasion, not the removal of the ark, but the coming of the Messiah. Psalms 96:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“Ps 96 This psalm establishes the Lord’s universal kingship (see Ps 93) and prepares for the coming of the Lord to bring justice and righteousness into the world. The psalmist invites everyone to worship the Lord (96:1-3), the glorious Creator of all the earth (96:4-6), because worship is due to him alone (96:7-9). The universe joins in praise as the righteous Judge establishes a new order (96:10-13). • This psalm (along with 105:1-15; 106:1, 47-48) is included in David’s song of praise recorded in 1 Chr 16:1-43. 96:1 Three psalms open with the exhortation to sing a new song (Pss 96, 98, 149); the song celebrates the Lord’s universal kingship (see 33:3).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“am 2962, bc 1042 O sing: Psa 33:3, Psa 98:1, Psa 149:1; Ch1 16:23-33; Rev 5:9, Rev 14:3 sing unto: Psa 67:3-6, Psa 68:32; Rom 15:11 Psalms 96:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Call to the nation of Jahve to sing praise to its God and to evangelize the heathen. שׁירוּ is repeated three times. The new song assumes a new form of things, and the call thereto, a present which appeared to be a beginning that furnished a guarantee of this new state of things, a beginning viz., of the recognition of Jahve throughout the whole world of nations, and of His accession to the lordship over the whole earth. The new song is an echo of the approaching revelation of salvation and of glory, and this is also the inexhaustible material of the joyful tidings that go forth from day to day (מיּום ליום as in Est 3:7, whereas in the Chronicles it is מיום אל־יום as in Num 30:15). We read…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification