What does Psalm 96:7 teach about recognizing God's glory and strength? Text of Psalm 96:7 “Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.” What “ascribe” means • “Ascribe” is a call to recognize, proclaim, and actively credit something to God that is already His by nature. • It invites every “family of the nations” — every people group on earth — to speak out loud what is eternally true about the LORD. Recognizing God’s glory • Glory is God’s inherent splendor, worth, and majesty (Exodus 33:18–19). • We recognize it by: – Speaking of His works (Psalm 145:4–6). – Worshiping Him alone, refusing to give His honor to idols (Isaiah 42:8). – Acknowledging that every good gift flows from His hand (James 1:17). Recognizing God’s strength • Strength points to His absolute power to create, sustain, save, and judge (Jeremiah 32:17). • We acknowledge it by: – Trusting His might in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). – Standing firm “in the strength of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). – Resting in His sovereign control over nations and history (Psalm 46:6–10). Key observations from the verse • The command is universal: “families of the nations.” Everyone is summoned. • Glory and strength belong exclusively to the LORD; we do not add to them, we merely confess them. • Recognizing His glory and strength is an act of worship, not information exchange. It shapes our hearts and priorities. Living it out today • Begin and end the day verbally praising God for specific displays of His glory and strength you have witnessed. • Turn moments of anxiety into declarations of His might: “Lord, You are strong enough for this.” • In corporate worship, make God’s attributes the focus, not personal performance. • Share testimonies that highlight His power and faithfulness, reinforcing His glory before others. Supporting Scriptures • Psalm 29:1–2 — same call to ascribe glory and strength. • 1 Chronicles 16:28–29 — David’s parallel exhortation. • Revelation 4:11 — heavenly beings declare God’s glory and power eternally. • Isaiah 40:28–31 — God’s limitless strength contrasted with human frailty. Summary Psalm 96:7 teaches that recognizing God’s glory and strength is an intentional, verbal act of worship required of every nation and family. We do not give Him something new; we simply acknowledge what is eternally His, aligning our hearts and lives under His majestic authority and mighty power. |
    |