This is one of the "enthronement" psalms (Psalms 15; 24; 27; 93; 95; 97—99). These praise God for His sovereign rule and look forward to when the Lord will govern the entire world with perfect justice.

Several hundred years before the birth of Christ, Israelite scholars translated the Old Testament into Greek. Those translators added a subtitle: "When the house was built after the Captivity, a Song of David." Nearly the entire text of Psalm 96 is recorded in 1 Chronicles 16:23–33. There, David was celebrating the ark's return. Since Israel returned from exile centuries after David, he could not have written a song to celebrate the rebuilding of the temple (Ezra 2:1; 6:15–16). Some scholars believe the subtitle implies that this psalm was used at the dedication.

The psalm begins with a call for praise. This is meant to be spread worldwide. Old Testament references to "the nations" and "the peoples" typically mean nations other than Israel: the Gentiles. Because God has performed great miracles, His power should be respected. In contrast, the false gods of other cultures are worthless. As the Creator, only the One True God deserves to be praised (Psalm 96:1–6).

Those worshipping God should recognize His glory, power, holiness, and magnificence. To "ascribe" is to credit something, or to assign it. "Ascribing" these traits to God means recognizing them and celebrating them (Psalm 96:7–9).

The "enthronement" psalms often preview His direct rule over the earth (Revelation 20:4). This will happen in the end times when the Messiah—Jesus Christ—rules the world in person. God's plan cannot be undone; the "world" which He created cannot be altered by anyone but Him. When God comes in judgment (Psalm 98:9), creation will celebrate (Romans 8:19–21). In that time, everyone on earth will experience a world under the perfect justice and goodness of God (Psalm 96:10–13).

Psalm 96:1–6 calls upon all people to worship God. This is a response to the Lord's miraculous acts as well as His divine attributes. The passage emphasizes that the other deities worshipped by men are merely worthless idols. Only the Lord God of Israel is the Creator.

Psalm 96:7–13 adds details to an earlier call for worship (Psalm 96:1–6). Those praising the Lord should recognize His power, glory, and holiness. The psalmist emphasizes God's sovereignty over the entire world. This also implies His right to judge everyone and everything. The psalm ends with a hopeful look to the future when the Lord will rule the earth directly (Revelation 20:4).

The psalmist calls on all people—of the entire world—to give proper worship to God. Because of His divine nature and the miracles He has done, the Lord deserves to be praised. Other so-called "gods" are nothing. Those who worship the Lord should celebrate His holiness, power, and judgment. One day, the Lord will return and rule the entire earth in perfect justice.

This is one of the "enthronement" psalms, which celebrate God's role as the Supreme King of the earth. Others are Psalms 15, 24, 27, 93, 95, and 97—99. A song celebrating the return of the ark (1 Chronicles 16:23–33) quotes nearly all of Psalm 96. Psalm 96 also anticipates Jesus' reign on earth and the Gentiles' worship of Him. This song may have also been used at the dedication of the second temple when the returnees from Babylon (Ezra 2:1) celebrated its completion (Ezra 6:15–16).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

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