Psalms 96:7
Giue vnto the Lord (O yee kinreds of the people:) giue vnto the Lord glory and strength. Psalms 96:7 (KJV)
Psalm 96 is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving that calls all peoples to worship the Lord, declaring His greatness and majesty. The psalm urges every nation to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and to worship Him with joy and gladness. The verse begins with an urgent exhortation: “Give unto the Lord.” This command is addressed to all “kindreds of the people,” indicating that the invitation is not limited to a particular group but extends to every individual and nation.
The first aspect of worship highlighted is to “give unto the Lord glory.” Glory denotes honour, splendour, and praise. To give glory to the Lord is to recognize His greatness, His attributes, and His works, affirming that He alone is worthy of exaltation above all else. The second aspect is to “give unto the Lord strength.” Here strength signifies power, might, and authority. Giving strength to the Lord means ascribing supreme authority to Him and acknowledging that all power belongs to God alone, surrendering our own strength to His will.
These two elements together teach the importance of worship that both honours God’s character and submits to His authority. The passage reminds believers that worship is a universal call; it is not confined to a specific ethnicity or culture but is a duty for every family, tribe, and nation. Our worship should therefore involve a heartfelt recognition of God’s glory and a willing surrender of our own strength, trusting in His guidance and power.
In practical terms, we can apply this verse by actively engaging in worship and praise. We may give glory to the Lord by acknowledging His greatness, praising His character, and expressing gratitude for His works. Likewise, we can give our strength to Him by surrendering our own will, relying on His power, and allowing His authority to direct our lives. In doing so, we fulfill the psalmist’s call to offer worship, praise, and honour to the Lord, continually reminding ourselves of His greatness and the need to acknowledge His authority and power in every aspect of our lives.
