Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:

PSALMS 68:32KJV
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Psalms 68:32 (KJV)

What does Psalms 68:32 mean?

Psalms 68:32 is a call for all the nations and kingdoms of the earth to sing and give praise to God, recognizing His greatness and authority. The verse invites everyone, not just Israel, to join in worshiping the Lord, and ends with "Selah," a pause for reflection.

The psalmist, traditionally understood to be David, is addressing all the kingdoms of the world, urging them to acknowledge God through song and praise. This comes in the context of a psalm celebrating God's power and His acts on behalf of His people. The invitation to all nations shows a vision of God's rule extending beyond Israel, emphasizing that His greatness is for everyone to recognize.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 68:32

  • "Sing" (שִׁירוּ, shiru): This Hebrew word means to sing or make music. Here, it is a command directed to all nations, not just Israel, highlighting the universal call to worship.
  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): This is a general name for God, emphasizing His power and majesty over all creation, not just one nation.
  • "Kingdoms" (מַמְלְכוֹת, mamlakhot): This word refers to organized nations or realms, underlining that the call to praise is for every political and cultural group on earth.
  • "Praises" (זַמֵּרוּ, zammēru): This verb means to make music or sing praises, often with instruments. It stresses joyful, active worship.
  • "Lord" (אֲדֹנָי, Adonai): This is a title meaning "Master" or "Lord," showing respect and authority, and is often used in worship contexts.
  • "Selah" (סֶלָה, selah): This term likely signals a pause or a moment to reflect, inviting the listener to consider the weight of what has just been said.

Why Psalms 68:32 matters

  • Psalms 68:32 makes clear that God's praise is not limited to Israel but is meant for all the kingdoms of the earth, showing an early vision of God's universal reign.
  • The verse highlights the importance of joyful, musical worship as a fitting response to God's greatness, not just silent reverence.
  • The use of both "Elohim" and "Adonai" in the same verse emphasizes both God's universal power and His personal relationship with those who worship Him.

Where else these words appear

“praises” Hebrew H2167 · used in 41 verses

  • Judges 5:3 Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.
  • Psalms 47:7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
  • Psalms 98:5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

“Selah” Hebrew H5542 · used in 74 verses

  • Psalms 3:2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
  • Psalms 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
  • Psalms 76:9 When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.

“Sing” Hebrew H7891 · used in 79 verses

  • Exodus 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
  • Ezra 7:7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
  • Psalms 65:13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.

“kingdoms” Hebrew H4467 · used in 113 verses

  • Genesis 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
  • 2 Kings 14:5 And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.
  • Isaiah 14:16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;