How does Psalm 96:3 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? Psalm 96:3 — A Call to Proclaim God’s Glory “Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all peoples.” Matthew 28:19-20 — The Commission to Make Disciples “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Shared Themes: One Voice, One Mission • The Subject: God’s glory in Psalm 96 and the risen Christ’s authority in Matthew 28 are identical in essence—both passages spotlight the greatness of the Lord. • The Audience: “All nations” and “all peoples.” No ethnic, cultural, or geographic boundaries exist in either text. • The Action: Psalm 96:3 calls us to “declare”; Matthew 28:19-20 commands us to “go… make disciples.” Both verbs require intentional, verbal proclamation. • The Content: Psalm 96 focuses on God’s “wonderful deeds”; Matthew 28 centers on the gospel events climaxing in Christ’s resurrection. The deeds praised in Psalm 96 reach their fullest expression in the cross and empty tomb. • The Outcome: Worship. Psalm 96 anticipates the nations praising God; the Great Commission ends with obedient disciples who live lives of worship. Putting the Two Passages Together 1. Psalm 96:3 provides the heartbeat; Matthew 28:19-20 supplies the marching orders. 2. Psalm 96 tells us what to declare—God’s glory and works; Matthew 28 tells us how—go, baptize, teach. 3. The Old Testament call to global praise finds its New Testament fulfillment through the church’s worldwide disciple-making. 4. Because Scripture is without error and its commands remain literal and binding, the connection is not merely literary—it is a binding mandate from Genesis to Revelation. Supporting Scriptures • Mark 16:15: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” • Acts 1:8: “You will be My witnesses… to the ends of the earth.” • Romans 10:14-15: “How can they hear without someone preaching to them?” • Isaiah 49:6: The Servant is “a light for the nations, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Each passage echoes Psalm 96 while reinforcing the specifics of Matthew 28. Practical Takeaways for Today • Start local, think global: Speak of God’s glory in everyday conversations while actively supporting missions abroad. • Use whole-Bible language: When sharing Christ, highlight God’s mighty deeds from creation to resurrection to second coming. • Teach for obedience: Discipling includes modeling and encouraging practical submission to all Jesus commanded. • Rely on His presence: The Great Commission ends with Christ’s promise, echoing the assurance of God’s active reign celebrated in Psalm 96. • Expect worldwide worship: Every act of evangelism advances the day when “all the families of the nations will bow down” (Psalm 22:27). |
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