For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For great is the LORDThe Hebrew word for "great" is "gadol," which conveys not only size but also importance, power, and majesty. In the ancient Near Eastern context, where many cultures worshipped a pantheon of gods, the declaration of the LORD's greatness is a profound statement of His supremacy and uniqueness. The LORD, or "Yahweh," is not just another deity among many; He is the ultimate, sovereign Creator. This greatness is not merely quantitative but qualitative, emphasizing His unmatched authority and character. The psalmist calls the faithful to recognize and proclaim the LORD's unparalleled greatness, which is evident in His creation, His acts of salvation, and His covenant faithfulness. and greatly to be praised
The phrase "greatly to be praised" underscores the intensity and depth of worship that the LORD deserves. The Hebrew root "halal" means to shine, boast, or celebrate. This is not a casual acknowledgment but a call to exuberant, wholehearted worship. In the context of the psalm, this praise is a response to the LORD's greatness and His mighty works. Historically, the Israelites expressed this through song, dance, and communal worship, recognizing that the LORD's deeds and character warrant the highest form of adoration. This call to praise is not limited to Israel but extends to all nations, inviting everyone to join in the celebration of the LORD's glory. He is to be feared
The Hebrew word for "feared" is "yare," which can mean to be afraid, but more often in the context of the LORD, it implies reverence, awe, and respect. This fear is not terror but a profound recognition of the LORD's holiness and power. It acknowledges His authority and the rightful place He holds as the Creator and Sustainer of all things. In the biblical narrative, this fear leads to wisdom and obedience, as seen in Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." The psalmist emphasizes that this reverence is due to the LORD alone, setting Him apart from all other entities that might claim allegiance. above all gods
In the ancient world, the existence of multiple gods was a common belief. However, the psalmist asserts the LORD's supremacy over all these so-called gods. The Hebrew word "elohim" can refer to gods or mighty ones, but in this context, it highlights the LORD's superiority over any spiritual or earthly power. This declaration is a polemic against idolatry, affirming that no other being or object is worthy of the worship and reverence due to the LORD. Historically, this was a radical statement, as it challenged the prevailing polytheistic cultures surrounding Israel. The psalmist calls the faithful to exclusive devotion to the LORD, recognizing that He alone is the true God, worthy of fear and praise. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The central figure in this verse, Yahweh is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness to His people. 2. PsalmistThe author of Psalm 96, traditionally attributed to King David, who calls the people to worship and recognize the greatness of God. 3. Other godsRefers to the false gods or idols worshiped by surrounding nations, highlighting the supremacy of Yahweh over all other deities. Teaching Points The Greatness of GodRecognize and meditate on the greatness of God in your daily life. His greatness is unmatched and should inspire awe and reverence. Worship and PraiseEngage in regular worship and praise, acknowledging God's supreme authority and majesty. Let your worship be heartfelt and sincere, reflecting His greatness. Fear of the LordCultivate a healthy fear of the Lord, which involves respect, reverence, and awe. This fear leads to wisdom and a deeper relationship with God. Rejecting IdolatryIdentify and reject modern-day idols in your life, whether they be material possessions, status, or other distractions that take precedence over God. God's SupremacyEmbrace the truth of God's supremacy over all things. This understanding should influence your decisions, priorities, and how you live out your faith. Bible Study Questions 1. How does recognizing the greatness of God influence your daily worship and prayer life? 2. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper fear of the Lord in your personal walk with Him? 3. What are some modern-day "gods" or idols that can distract us from fully worshiping the LORD, and how can we guard against them? 4. How does understanding God's supremacy over all creation impact your perspective on current world events? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced the greatness of God in your life. How did it change your relationship with Him? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 15:11This verse echoes the theme of God's incomparability and greatness, as Moses and the Israelites sing of God's majesty after the crossing of the Red Sea. 1 Chronicles 16:25This passage parallels Psalm 96:4, as it is part of a song of thanksgiving that David delivered when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. Revelation 4:11This New Testament verse connects to the theme of God's worthiness to receive glory and honor, as the heavenly hosts worship Him. People PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Exceedingly, Feared, Fearful, Gods, Greatly, Highly, Praise, Praised, TerribleDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 96:4 1060 God, greatness of
8334 reverence, and God's nature
8369 worthiness Psalm 96:1-9 8440 glorifying God Psalm 96:3-7 1194 glory, divine and human Psalm 96:3-9 8660 magnifying God Psalm 96:4-5 8623 worship, of God Psalm 96:4-6 8608 prayer, and worship Library Psalm Xcvi. 1, 2
Psalm xcvi. 1, 2. Sing a new song unto the Lord; His mercies, every morning new, His truth and faithfulness record; Give to our God the glory due. God is the Lord; around His throne In heaven, adoring seraphim, And ransom'd saints, ascribe alone All power, might, majesty, to Hiin. On earth His church impregnable, Built on the rock of ages, stands, And yet, against the gates of hell, Shall send salvation through all lands. Thou, by whose word the worlds were made, In wisdom and in goodness framed, …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and HymnsLetter Xlii to the Illustrious Youth, Geoffrey De Perrone, and his Comrades.
To the Illustrious Youth, Geoffrey de Perrone, and His Comrades. He pronounces the youths noble because they purpose to lead the religious life, and exhorts them to perseverance. To his beloved sons, Geoffrey and his companions, Bernard, called Abbot of Clairvaux, wishes the spirit of counsel and strength. 1. The news of your conversion that has got abroad is edifying many, nay, is making glad the whole Church of God, so that The heavens rejoice and the earth is glad (Ps. xcvi. 11), and every tongue …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Therefore Go On, Saints of God, Boys and Girls...
27. Therefore go on, Saints of God, boys and girls, males and females, unmarried men, and women; go on and persevere unto the end. Praise more sweetly the Lord, Whom ye think on more richly: hope more happily in Him, Whom ye serve more instantly: love more ardently Him, whom ye please more attentively. With loins girded, and lamps burning, wait for the Lord, when He cometh from the marriage. [2075] Ye shall bring unto the marriage of the Lamb a new song, which ye shall sing on your harps. Not surely …
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity. A Letter from Origen to Africanus.
Origen to Africanus, a beloved brother in God the Father, through Jesus Christ, His holy Child, greeting. Your letter, from which I learn what you think of the Susanna in the Book of Daniel, which is used in the Churches, although apparently somewhat short, presents in its few words many problems, each of which demands no common treatment, but such as oversteps the character of a letter, and reaches the limits of a discourse. [3028] And I, when I consider, as best I can, the measure of my intellect, …
Origen—Origen's Letters Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the Transition to the Middle Ages: from the Beginning of the Sixth Century to the Latter Part of the Eighth
The third period of the ancient Church under the Christian Empire begins with the accession of Justin I (518-527), and the end of the first schism between Rome and Constantinople (519). The termination of the period is not so clearly marked. By the middle and latter part of the eighth century, however, the imperial Church has ceased to exist in its original conception. The Church in the East has become, in great part, a group of national schismatic churches under Moslem rulers, and only the largest …
Joseph Cullen Ayer Jr., Ph.D.—A Source Book for Ancient Church History Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
BY REV. W. J. TOWNSEND, D.D. The Temple of Solomon was the crown of art in the old world. There were temples on a larger scale, and of more massive construction, but the enormous masses of masonry of the oldest nations were not comparable with the artistic grace, the luxurious adornments, and the harmonious proportions of this glorious House of God. David had laid up money and material for the great work, but he was not permitted to carry it out. He was a man of war, and blood-stained hands were …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Ye Also who have not yet Made this Vow...
30. Ye also who have not yet made this vow, who are able to receive it, receive it. [2093] Run with perseverance, that ye may obtain. [2094] Take ye each his sacrifices, and enter ye into the courts [2095] of the Lord, not of necessity, having power over your own will. [2096] For not as, "Thou shall not commit adultery, Thou shall not kill," [2097] can it so be said, Thou shalt not wed. The former are demanded, the latter are offered. If the latter are done, they are praised: unless the former are …
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity. The First Commandment
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Why is the commandment in the second person singular, Thou? Why does not God say, You shall have no other gods? Because the commandment concerns every one, and God would have each one take it as spoken to him by name. Though we are forward to take privileges to ourselves, yet we are apt to shift off duties from ourselves to others; therefore the commandment is in the second person, Thou and Thou, that every one may know that it is spoken to him, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Prophet Micah.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Micah signifies: "Who is like Jehovah;" and by this name, the prophet is consecrated to the incomparable God, just as Hosea was to the helping God, and Nahum to the comforting God. He prophesied, according to the inscription, under Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. We are not, however, entitled, on this account, to dissever his prophecies, and to assign particular discourses to the reign of each of these kings. On the contrary, the entire collection forms only one whole. At …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The History of the Psalter
[Sidenote: Nature of the Psalter] Corresponding to the book of Proverbs, itself a select library containing Israel's best gnomic literature, is the Psalter, the compendium of the nation's lyrical songs and hymns and prayers. It is the record of the soul experiences of the race. Its language is that of the heart, and its thoughts of common interest to worshipful humanity. It reflects almost every phase of religious feeling: penitence, doubt, remorse, confession, fear, faith, hope, adoration, and …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 96:4 NIVPsalm 96:4 NLTPsalm 96:4 ESVPsalm 96:4 NASBPsalm 96:4 KJV
Psalm 96:4 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
