King James Version

What Does Psalms 96:4 Mean?

Psalms 96:4 in the King James Version says “For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 96 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Psalms 96:4 · KJV

Context

2

Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

3

Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

4

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

5

For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

6

Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

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Commentary

KJV Study 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).

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What competing 'gods' (money, status, pleasure, security) vie for worship in your heart, and how does recognizing Yahweh's supremacy dethrone them?
  2. How does God's greatness motivate praise rather than indifference or fear?
  3. In what ways should believers declare God's greatness 'above all gods' to a pluralistic culture that treats all religions as equally valid?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
כִּ֥י1 of 10
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

גָ֘ד֤וֹל2 of 10

“is great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

יְהוָ֣ה3 of 10

“For the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וּמְהֻלָּ֣ל4 of 10

“to be praised”

H1984

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

מְאֹ֑ד5 of 10

“and greatly”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

נוֹרָ֥א6 of 10

“he is to be feared”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

ה֝֗וּא7 of 10
H1931

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

עַל8 of 10
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל9 of 10
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֱלֹהִֽים׃10 of 10

“above all gods”

H430

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

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 96:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 96:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 145:3Psalms 18:3Psalms 95:3Revelation 15:4Jeremiah 10:6-7Psalms 89:7

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