◄ Psalm 96:11 ►
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea resound, and all that fills it.
Study Bible
Let the heavens be glad

This phrase calls for the celestial realm to express joy, reflecting the biblical theme of creation praising God. The heavens often symbolize God's majesty and glory (Psalm 19:1). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the heavens were seen as the dwelling place of deities, but in the biblical context, they are part of God's creation, subject to His will. This call for the heavens to be glad anticipates the ultimate restoration of creation, as seen in Romans 8:19-21, where creation eagerly awaits liberation from corruption.

1Ch 16:31 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice.…
Psa 97:1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;…
Isa 44:23 Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this;…

and the earth rejoice;

The earth's rejoicing signifies the harmony and peace that will be restored under God's reign. This echoes the Genesis account where God saw that creation was "very good" (Genesis 1:31). The earth's joy is a response to God's righteous rule and the establishment of His kingdom, as prophesied in Isaiah 65:17-18, where a new heaven and a new earth are promised. This rejoicing is not just for humanity but for all creation, indicating a holistic redemption.

Psa 98:4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;…
Psa 66:1 For the choirmaster. A song. A Psalm. Make a joyful noise…
Isa 55:12 You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace;…

let the sea resound,

The sea, often representing chaos and danger in ancient literature, is here called to resound with praise. This transformation from chaos to harmony reflects God's sovereignty over all creation, including the forces of nature. In biblical typology, the calming of the sea by Jesus (Mark 4:39) demonstrates His authority over creation, prefiguring the ultimate peace He will bring. The sea's resounding is a metaphor for the overwhelming praise that will fill the earth.

1Ch 16:32 Let the sea resound, and all that fills it; let the fields exult…
Psa 98:7 Let the sea resound, and all that fills it…
Luk 21:25 There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars…

and all that fills it.

This phrase encompasses all creatures and elements within the sea, highlighting the inclusivity of creation's praise. It reflects the biblical view that every part of creation has a role in glorifying God (Psalm 148:7-10). The imagery of the sea and its fullness praising God can be seen as a foretaste of the eschatological vision in Revelation 5:13, where every creature in heaven, on earth, and under the earth joins in worship. This universal praise underscores the comprehensive scope of God's redemptive plan.

Rev 5:13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth…
Psa 50:12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is Mine,…
Psa 104:24 How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Heavens
In biblical terms, the heavens often refer to the sky or the celestial realm, representing God's creation and His dwelling place.

2. Earth
The earth is the physical world created by God, inhabited by humans and all living creatures.

3. Sea
The sea is a significant part of God's creation, often symbolizing vastness and power, and is home to countless creatures.

4. Creation
This verse calls upon all of creation to express joy and praise, highlighting the interconnectedness of all created things in worshiping God.

5. Psalmist
The author of the psalm, traditionally believed to be David, who calls for universal praise to God.
Teaching Points
Universal Praise
All of creation is called to worship God, reminding us that praise is not limited to humans but is a cosmic activity.

Joy in Creation
The joy of the heavens, earth, and sea reflects the joy we should have in our relationship with God. We are part of a larger symphony of praise.

God's Sovereignty
Recognizing God's sovereignty over all creation should lead us to trust and worship Him, knowing He is in control of the universe.

Environmental Stewardship
As stewards of God's creation, we should care for the earth and sea, ensuring they can continue to resound with praise.

Anticipation of Redemption
This verse foreshadows the ultimate redemption of creation, where all things will be restored to their intended purpose of glorifying God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the call for the heavens, earth, and sea to rejoice in Psalm 96:11 influence your understanding of worship?

2. In what ways can you join creation in praising God in your daily life?

3. How does recognizing God's sovereignty over creation impact your trust in Him during difficult times?

4. What practical steps can you take to care for the environment as part of your worship to God?

5. How does the theme of universal praise in Psalm 96:11 connect with the vision of worship in Revelation 5:13, and what does this mean for your personal worship?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 1
The creation account where God creates the heavens, the earth, and the sea, establishing the foundation for their praise.

Psalm 19:1
This verse speaks of the heavens declaring the glory of God, connecting to the theme of creation praising its Creator.

Isaiah 55:12
This passage describes creation rejoicing, similar to the call in Psalm 96:11 for the earth and sea to express joy.

Revelation 5:13
This verse envisions all creation praising God, echoing the universal call to worship found in Psalm 96:11.
Sermons
A Supreme Existence and a Supreme ServiceHomilistPsalm 96:1-13
How and Why Jehovah is to be WorshippedC. Short Psalm 96:1-13
The New Song and the Old StoryPsalm 96:1-13
Nature SympathiesR. Tuck Psalm 96:11, 12
People
Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Contains, Fills, Fullness, Fulness, Glad, Heavens, Joy, Joyful, Rejoice, Resound, Roar, Thereof, Thundering, Waters
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 96:10-11

     4114   angels, and praise

Psalm 96:10-13

     1075   God, justice of

Psalm 96:11-13

     1110   God, present everywhere
     8287   joy, experience

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 Hymns

Letter 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 96:11 NIV
Psalm 96:11 NLT
Psalm 96:11 ESV
Psalm 96:11 NASB
Psalm 96:11 KJV

Psalm 96:11 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Psalm 96:10
Top of Page
Top of Page