1. Sing Globally (vv. 1–3)

“Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!” (Psalm 96:1)

Worship is not a private event. It's not just a personal moment between you and God. Psalm 96 commands the entire earth to sing to the Lord.

This is the heartbeat of missional worship. We don’t worship to feel better—we worship to declare who God is to a watching world.

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” (v. 3)

The Hebrew word for declare means to recount, to make known in vivid detail. Worship that honors God is not passive or vague. It speaks. It tells. It proclaims.

Worship is global because God's glory deserves to be known across every language, every land, every culture. Psalm 96 calls us to sing with the nations in mind.

Reflection Questions:

Is my worship helping others see the greatness of God?

How could I declare His glory among my neighbors or coworkers?

2. Revere Deeply (vv. 4–6)

“For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.” (v. 4)

Why do we worship? Because God is great—and His greatness deserves our deepest reverence.

“Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.” (v. 6)

God isn’t just powerful. He’s beautiful. His presence is filled with wonder and weight. Real worship isn’t casual. It should stir awe in your soul.

In the modern church, reverence is often lost. But Scripture never separates joy from trembling. Worship that is light on fear will always be light on truth.

Reflection Questions:

Does my worship reflect reverence—or routine?

Have I lost the wonder of who God truly is?

3. Worship Rightly (vv. 7–9)

“Ascribe to the Lord… the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!” (v. 8)

To “ascribe” means to acknowledge—truthfully and fully—who God is. This isn’t about giving God something He lacks. It’s about recognizing what He deserves.

And that recognition shows up in what we bring: our praise, our offering, our posture.

“Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!” (v. 9)

Worship isn’t about our preferences. It’s about God’s holiness. Psalm 96 reminds us that real worship costs something. It isn’t comfortable—it’s consecrated.

Romans 12:1 puts it this way: “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

Reflection Questions:

Am I worshiping with my whole life—or just my lips?

What does my offering say about how I value God?

4. Live Urgently (vv. 10–13)

“Say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns!’ Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.” (v. 10)

The psalm closes not with a whisper, but a warning.

Worship isn’t just praise. It’s proclamation. Psalm 96 is a call to remember that the Lord reigns—and He is coming.

“He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.” (v. 13)

The King is not far off. His judgment is not a maybe—it’s a certainty. And our worship should reflect that urgency.

Too many Christians sing about grace while forgetting justice. But Psalm 96 says both matter. God’s glory and God’s judgment are part of the same holy reign.

Reflection Questions:

Does my life show I believe Jesus is returning?

Am I worshiping like time is short?

Conclusion: Worship Is a Summons

Psalm 96 calls us to sing, revere, offer, and proclaim. But not as empty religious habits.

This is a summons from the King. Worship is how we align our hearts with His glory and our lives with His justice.

Don’t settle for emotional highs or favorite songs. Worship is global. It’s reverent. It’s costly. And it’s urgent.

It’s time to rediscover what worship is actually for.