tremble before Him, all the earth.
The command to "tremble" signifies a deep respect and fear of the Lord, acknowledging His power and authority over all creation. This is a common theme in the Psalms, where the earth and its inhabitants are called to recognize God's sovereignty (Psalm 2:11). The phrase "all the earth" extends the call to worship beyond Israel to include all nations, reflecting the universal reign of God. This anticipates the eschatological vision where every knee will bow to God (Philippians 2:10-11). Historically, this reflects the understanding that God's covenant with Israel was a means to bless all nations (Genesis 12:3). The trembling also points to the awe and reverence due to God, similar to the reactions of those who encountered divine manifestations, such as Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:6).

The verse opens with a straightforward command. Worship is not a suggestion; it is an imperative flowing from God’s revealed character.

• Worship means bowing every facet of life to Him, acknowledging that He alone is God (Deuteronomy 6:13: “Fear the LORD your God and serve Him”).

• It is active and vocal—singing, praying, giving, obeying—yet also an inward posture of love and surrender (John 4:24: “God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth”).

• Psalm 29:2 repeats the identical call, reminding us that praise is due Him simply because He is worthy.

How are we to worship? In the setting, atmosphere, and clothing of holiness.

• Holiness is God’s absolute moral perfection and utter separateness from sin (Exodus 15:11).

• “Splendor” points to the dazzling beauty radiating from that holiness. When we come before Him, the spotlight shifts from us to Him; our focus is on His majesty, not our performance.

• 1 Chronicles 16:29, a parallel verse, urges, “Bring an offering and come before Him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness”. The implication is that consecrated hearts are the required “clothing” for worship.

• Revelation 4:8 shows heavenly beings continuously declaring, “Holy, holy, holy,” underscoring that holiness is not merely one attribute among many—it is the atmosphere of God’s throne room.

Genuine encounter with the Holy One produces awe-filled fear.

• The command to tremble confronts casual, self-centered religion. Reverence and humility should mark every gathering, song, or private devotion (Psalm 2:11: “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling”).

• Trembling is not terror that drives us away but reverent fear that draws us near in dependence and obedience (Isaiah 66:2).

• Even prophets felt this weight: “I heard and my inward parts trembled” (Habakkuk 3:16). If spiritual giants trembled, how much more should we?

The scope is universal. This is not an ethnic or regional faith; it is a global summons.

• God’s plan has always aimed at the nations. Isaiah 45:22 calls, “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth.”

• The psalmist pictures the entire planet bursting into song (Psalm 98:4).

• The New Testament confirms the same destiny: “Every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:10-11).

• Revelation 15:4 peers ahead to the fulfillment: “All nations will come and worship before You”.

Psalm 96:9 is a four-fold, life-shaping command: Give exclusive, wholehearted worship to the LORD; approach Him clothed in the radiant beauty of His purity; do so with trembling awe; and recognize that this call embraces every person on earth. We are invited to join the worldwide, age-long chorus that magnifies the holy splendor of our incomparable God.

Fear before him.--Or literally, let all the earth be moved before his face.