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The gods of the nations are merely idols,
    but it was the Lord who made the heavens.[a]
Majesty and splendor surround him;
    power and beauty[b] are in his sanctuary.
Render to the Lord, you families of nations,
    render to the Lord glory and power.[c]

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 96:5 Made the heavens: since the Lord made the heavens, which were supposedly the home of the gods, it follows that he is far greater than all the gods; but he is also greater because they are nothing more than idols.
  2. Psalm 96:6 The Lord is surrounded by personifications of divine attributes (majesty and splendor . . . power and beauty) that extol his universal kingship.
  3. Psalm 96:7 The psalmist makes use of Ps 29:1f, eliminating any allusion to the theme of “heavenly beings” (i.e., “sons of God”) and accentuating the universalist tone (see Ps 47:10; Zec 14:17). All peoples are specifically summoned to pledge their obedience to the Lord.

For all the gods of the nations are idols,(A)
    but the Lord made the heavens.(B)
Splendor and majesty(C) are before him;
    strength and glory(D) are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the Lord,(E) all you families of nations,(F)
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

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