Psalms 96:12

Let the fields exult, and all that is in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The psalmist addresses the natural world, commanding it to rejoice in anticipation of the LORD’s imminent arrival to judge the earth in righteousness and faithfulness.

The words — The text commands the fields (שָׂ֭דַי, Sa.dai) to exult (יַעֲלֹ֣ז, ya.'a.Loz) and declares that all the trees will shout for joy (יְ֝רַנְּנ֗וּ, ye.ra.ne.Nu) when the LORD comes. This lexical choice frames the natural world’s response as a direct reaction to the coming judgment.

The thread — This motif of creation rejoicing at God’s intervention appears in Isaiah 55:12, Isaiah 35:1, and Isaiah 42:10. These passages similarly depict mountains, wilderness, and the sea responding to divine action.

Why it lands — The verse demands that readers recognize creation’s obedience to God’s coming judgment and align their own response with that universal call to joy. It requires a posture of readiness for the LORD’s arrival.

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

יַעֲלֹ֣זya.'a.Lozlet it exult שָׂ֭דַיSa.dai[the] field[s]וְכָל־ve./kholand/ all אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-thatבּ֑וֹb/o[is] in/ itאָ֥ז'azthen יְ֝רַנְּנ֗וּye.ra.ne.Nuthey will shout for joy כָּל־kol-all עֲצֵי־'a.tzei-[the] trees of יָֽעַר׃Ya.'ar[the] forest

King James Version

Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice

Cross-references

Isaiah 55:12 You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Isaiah 35:1 The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.
Isaiah 42:10 Sing to the LORD a new song—His praise from the ends of the earth—you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who dwell in them.
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.
Psalms 65:12 The pastures of the wilderness overflow; the hills are robed with joy.