Worship involves our heart, which includes our mind, will and emotions. The psalmist calls us to “ascribe to the LORD glory and strength” and “the glory due his name” (Ps. 96:7). We worship rightly when we worship according to God’s word. Worship also involves our bodies. With our hands we are called to “bring an offering, and come into his courts” (v. 8).

Do you remember show and tell when you were in school? I don’t recall what I took to show my classmates, but I remember that my classmates and I could bring in items that were meaningful to us in one way or another. We didn’t bring things that we didn’t like, or things that weren’t important to us. That would have missed the point. Instead, we brought in what we treasured. Psalm 96 is like show and tell, except it’s better described as sing and tell. It celebrates the Lord as Creator, Redeemer, King and Righteous Judge. As believers the words of Psalm 96 should often be on our lips. First we are called to sing of the Lord’s greatness. Then we are called to tell of His greatness.  

The Lord is Creator and Redeemer

The psalmist begins, “Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day” (Ps. 96:1-2). Singing to the Lord about His greatness leads to declaring His glory “among the nations” (v. 3). The Lord desires all nations to know that He is the great and glorious God who is worthy of all worship (v. 4). In contrast to “worthless idols” (v. 5) the Lord is surrounded with “splendor and majesty” and “strength and beauty” (v. 6).

The “new song” of Psalm 96 is given a greater meaning in Revelation 5. When the Lamb took the scroll the creatures and elders “sang a new song” that celebrated Christ’s accomplished work of redemption. He “ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9-10). Today you and I can join in singing this new song to the Lamb of God, our beloved Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We can sing of our redemption in Christ.

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