Psalms 96:4

Authorized King James Version

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For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
גָ֘ד֤וֹל is great H1419
גָ֘ד֤וֹל is great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 2 of 10
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
יְהוָ֣ה For the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה For the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּמְהֻלָּ֣ל to be praised H1984
וּמְהֻלָּ֣ל to be praised
Strong's: H1984
Word #: 4 of 10
to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ
מְאֹ֑ד and greatly H3966
מְאֹ֑ד and greatly
Strong's: H3966
Word #: 5 of 10
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
נוֹרָ֥א he is to be feared H3372
נוֹרָ֥א he is to be feared
Strong's: H3372
Word #: 6 of 10
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
ה֝֗וּא H1931
ה֝֗וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 7 of 10
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 8 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 9 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֱלֹהִֽים׃ above all gods H430
אֱלֹהִֽים׃ above all gods
Strong's: H430
Word #: 10 of 10
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Analysis & Commentary

For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. The conjunction "for" (ki, כִּי) grounds the call to sing a new song (vv. 1-3) in God's character: worship flows from who God is. "The LORD is great" (gadol Yahweh, גָּדוֹל יְהוָה) uses gadol (גָּדוֹל), meaning great in magnitude, power, significance, and transcendence. God's greatness isn't relative but absolute—infinitely beyond creation.

"Greatly to be praised" translates mehulal me'od (מְהֻלָּל מְאֹד)—deserving of utmost, maximal praise. The intensive me'od (מְאֹד, "exceedingly") emphasizes that no praise offered exhausts God's worthiness. "He is to be feared above all gods" (nora hu al-kol-elohim, נוֹרָא הוּא עַל־כָּל־אֱלֹהִים) uses yare (יָרֵא), meaning to fear, revere, or stand in awe. This isn't servile terror but worshipful awe before overwhelming holiness and power.

"Above all gods" acknowledges polytheistic context—not that other gods truly exist, but that false gods (idols, demons behind idols, or deified human authorities) claim worship. Yet Israel's God stands categorically above all rivals. This anticipates Paul's declaration: "there is none other God but one" (1 Corinthians 8:4) and John's vision of universal worship: "Who shall not fear thee, O Lord...for all nations shall come and worship before thee" (Revelation 15:4).

Historical Context

Psalm 96 is nearly identical to 1 Chronicles 16:23-33, sung when David brought the ark to Jerusalem. The psalm calls all nations (not just Israel) to worship Yahweh, reflecting Israel's missionary vocation to be a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:6). The Ancient Near East was polytheistic; every nation had patron deities. Israel's radical claim was monotheism: Yahweh alone is God; all other so-called gods are worthless idols (v. 5). This theological revolution prepared for the gospel's global spread.

Questions for Reflection