Christian prayer
Psalm 96
Psalm 96 from the Bible, with its original text and meaning.
- 13 verses
- About 1 minute to recite
- From the Bible
Show
- 1
שִׁ֣ירוּ לַ֭יהוָה שִׁ֣יר חָדָ֑שׁ שִׁ֥ירוּ לַ֝יהוָ֗ה כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.
- 2
שִׁ֣ירוּ לַ֭יהוָה בָּרֲכ֣וּ שְׁמ֑וֹ בַּשְּׂר֥וּ מִיּֽוֹם־לְ֝י֗וֹם יְשׁוּעָתֽוֹ׃
Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.
- 3
סַפְּר֣וּ בַגּוֹיִ֣ם כְּבוֹד֑וֹ בְּכָל־הָֽ֝עַמִּ֗ים נִפְלְאוֹתָֽיו׃
Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
- 4
כִּ֥י גָ֘ד֤וֹל יְהוָ֣ה וּמְהֻלָּ֣ל מְאֹ֑ד נוֹרָ֥א ה֝֗וּא עַל־כָּל־אֱלֹהִֽים׃
For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
- 5
כִּ֤י ׀ כָּל־אֱלֹהֵ֣י הָעַמִּ֣ים אֱלִילִ֑ים וַֽ֝יהוָ֗ה שָׁמַ֥יִם עָשָֽׂה׃
For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.
- 6
הוֹד־וְהָדָ֥ר לְפָנָ֑יו עֹ֥ז וְ֝תִפְאֶ֗רֶת בְּמִקְדָּשֽׁוֹ׃
Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
- 7
הָב֣וּ לַ֭יהוָה מִשְׁפְּח֣וֹת עַמִּ֑ים הָב֥וּ לַ֝יהוָ֗ה כָּב֥וֹד וָעֹֽז׃
Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
- 8
הָב֣וּ לַ֭יהוָה כְּב֣וֹד שְׁמ֑וֹ שְׂאֽוּ־מִ֝נְחָ֗ה וּבֹ֥אוּ לְחַצְרוֹתָֽיו׃
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.
- 9
הִשְׁתַּחֲו֣וּ לַ֭יהוָה בְּהַדְרַת־קֹ֑דֶשׁ חִ֥ילוּ מִ֝פָּנָ֗יו כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃
O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
- 10
אִמְר֤וּ בַגּוֹיִ֨ם ׀ יְה֘וָ֤ה מָלָ֗ךְ אַף־תִּכּ֣וֹן תֵּ֭בֵל בַּל־תִּמּ֑וֹט יָדִ֥ין עַ֝מִּ֗ים בְּמֵישָׁרִֽים׃
Say 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.
- 11
יִשְׂמְח֣וּ הַ֭שָּׁמַיִם וְתָגֵ֣ל הָאָ֑רֶץ יִֽרְעַ֥ם הַ֝יָּ֗ם וּמְלֹאֽוֹ׃
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
- 12
יַעֲלֹ֣ז שָׂ֭דַי וְכָל־אֲשֶׁר־בּ֑וֹ אָ֥ז יְ֝רַנְּנ֗וּ כָּל־עֲצֵי־יָֽעַר׃
Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
- 13
לִפְנֵ֤י יְהוָ֨ה ׀ כִּ֬י בָ֗א כִּ֥י בָא֮ לִשְׁפֹּ֪ט הָ֫אָ֥רֶץ יִשְׁפֹּֽט־תֵּבֵ֥ל בְּצֶ֑דֶק וְ֝עַמִּ֗ים בֶּאֱמוּנָתֽוֹ׃
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.
Wording: The Holy Bible, King James Version, 1611 (standard text of 1769). Copied word for word from the edition named here
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When it is prayed
Many Christians recite Psalm 96 during worship or personal prayer as an expression of praise. It is especially fitting for giving thanks, celebrating creation and reflecting on God's justice. In the Christian tradition, its call to proclaim God's glory also connects with sharing the faith.
Where it comes from
Psalm 96 comes from the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament and was originally composed in Hebrew. It belongs to the worship tradition of ancient Israel and calls all nations and creation to praise the Lord. Much of its wording also appears in the song of thanksgiving in Chronicles associated with David bringing the ark to Jerusalem.

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Related prayers and texts
- ChristianPsalm 91A biblical psalm of trust in God’s shelter and protection amid danger.
- ChristianPsalm 23A biblical psalm of trust in God, pictured as a caring shepherd and generous host.
- ChristianPsalm 121A biblical psalm of trust in God as the keeper of those who look to him for help.
- ChristianPsalm 35A biblical psalm asking God for protection, justice and deliverance from enemies.
Questions about Psalm 96
How many verses does Psalm 96 have?
Psalm 96 has 13 verses.
What is Psalm 96 about?
It calls people to sing a new song to the Lord, proclaim his glory among the nations and worship him. It also pictures creation rejoicing because God comes to judge the world with righteousness.
How long does Psalm 96 take to recite?
It takes about 1 minute to recite, depending on your pace and pauses.
Who wrote Psalm 96?
Its authorship is not certain. Related wording appears in Chronicles in a song associated with David, but that connection does not establish who composed the psalm.
What language was Psalm 96 written in?
Psalm 96 was originally written in Hebrew. Christians also pray and sing it in translation.


















