Bible Strands
Psalms 96:11
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea resound, and all that fills it.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the created order, commanding the heavens, earth, and sea to respond immediately after declaring that the LORD reigns and will judge the peoples with equity. This command follows the announcement of God's unshakable kingship and precedes a parallel summons to the fields and forest trees.
The words — The Hebrew verb יִשְׂמְחוּ (yis.me.chu) means "let them rejoice," paired with הַשָּׁמַיִם (ha.sha.ma.yim), "the heavens," to issue a direct imperative for celestial joy. The phrase וּמְלֹאֹו (u.me.lo.'o), "and what fills it," extends the command to every inhabitant within the sea.
The thread — This summons to creation mirrors the call in Psalms 69:34 for heaven, earth, and seas to praise God, and echoes Isaiah 49:13 where the heavens and earth are told to shout for joy. It also parallels Psalms 97:1, which similarly commands the earth to rejoice at the LORD's reign.
Why it lands — The text demands that all visible creation acknowledge the reality of God's kingship and future judgment by expressing joy. It requires the reader to recognize that creation's response is a commanded reaction to divine rule, not a spontaneous emotional display.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.
Cross-references
- Psalms 69:34 Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them.
- Isaiah 49:13 Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; break forth in song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones.
- Psalms 97:1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the distant shores be glad.
- Psalms 98:7 Let the sea resound, and all that fills it, the world, and all who dwell in it.
- Psalms 148:1 Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the highest places.
- Isaiah 44:23 Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O depths of the earth. Break forth in song, O mountains, you forests and all your trees. For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and revealed His glory in Israel.
- Luke 2:10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:
- Luke 2:13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying:
- Luke 15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
- Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea; with great fury the devil has come down to you, knowing he has only a short time.”