TL;DR:
Psalm 68:32 calls all nations to sing praises to the one true God, highlighting God's global vision and the biblical basis for world missions. This verse connects with Paul's words in Romans 10:14 about the need for people to hear the Gospel in order to believe—and sing. As Christ-followers, we're not just making converts but inviting people from every nation to join a global choir of worshipers. From ancient Israel to modern flash mobs of praise, God's heart has always been for all people everywhere to glorify Him. Let’s ensure everyone receives that invitation.
Psalm 68:32 is one of the 120 Old Testament verses that
point to the urgent need for world missions outreach.
Psalm 68:32 calls people everywhere to sing praise to
the one true God.
The apostle Paul asked, "How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?" We might add, "How can they sing about Him?"
As we "make disciples" (Matthew 28:19–20), we need to understand that we are inviting people
to join the worldwide choir and "sing praise to the Lord" (Psalm 68:32).
World Missions: The Heart of God
"Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth,
sing praise to the Lord" — Psalm 68:32
"We cannot have too much singing to God," Charles Spurgeon wrote in his commentary on Psalm 68:32 in The Treasury of David.
The Psalm 68:32 phrases about singing powerfully illustrate the priority God wants us to give to world evangelism. What's more, the image of people around the world bursting into songs of praise to God reminds me of the surprise musical "flash mobs" that choirs sometimes
stage in public places (example of a musical flash mob).
As I envision a global "flash concert" of praise to the Lord, I mentally unpack what Psalm
68:32 means for the cause of world missionary outreach:
Psalm 68:32 means that, as we "make disciples" (Matthew 28:19–20), we should invite people
to join the worldwide choir that will "sing praise to the Lord."
I hear a clear call in Psalm 68:32 to people everywhere to acknowledge the one true God, the God who reveals Himself to us through the pages of the Bible. This verse is not simply an
exhortation to be happy and to give praise to something or somebody. Psalm 68:32 calls all
people everywhere to worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Perhaps the most obvious relationship Psalm 68:32 has with world evangelism is that it
calls to mind Paul's words to the Romans about those who have yet to hear the gospel. Romans
10:14 asks, "And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?" (more on Romans
10:14). If people from every nation are going to join in singing praise to God, they need to hear about Him. If people living today have little or no access to the gospel,
shouldn't we be doing something to share the good news with them?
Psalm 68:32 also gives us a glimpse of how global Christianity would become. Those words were written a thousand years or more before
the birth of Jesus. At that time, knowledge of the God of Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob appears to have been largely confined to the Middle East. Today, the people of God can be found worldwide.
Twenty centuries of Christian missionary work have borne fruit, although we still have
a way to go before people from every tribe, language, and "kingdom" have heard the call to praise God.
Finally, some scholars consider Psalm 68 one of the oldest poems in the Book of Psalms. If so,
verse 32 reinforces Dave Davidson's observation that world missions were "on God's mind from the beginning."
May all people everywhere praise God. Let's make sure they all—every one of them—are invited to join the choir!
Video: People from 50 countries sing "Amazing Grace."
This blog post on a world missions Bible passage is one of more than three dozen in the "Heart of God" series published in Engage, a monthly online magazine. That series looks at what the Bible says about world missions.
Afterword: Giving People an Opportunity to Join the Choir Singing Praise to God
In Psalm 68:32, the psalmist calls upon all the kingdoms of the earth to sing praises to Yahweh, acknowledging His sovereignty and greatness. That verse makes clear the worldwide nature of the rule of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It invites all people,
regardless of nationality or status, to join in offering praise and worship to God. This verse should inspire Christians to support world missions outreach efforts. We must help ensure that people from every nation have an opportunity to hear the message of salvation and are invited to join that global choir.
Acrostic Poem: Global Choir
G - Gathered nations lift their song on high, L - Lands afar let joyful praises fly. O - Over mountains, through the seas, B - Banners rise with sacred melodies. A - All creation joins the strain, L - Lifting glory to His name.
C - Choirs of earth in one accord, H - Hearts united, praise the Lord. O - Offering worship, true and strong, I - In every tongue, the same sweet song. R - Rejoice, all peoples—God reigns above!
Memorable Quotes About Psalm 68:32
"The kingdoms of the earth have been oblivious of the true God, but the time shall come when all nations shall magnify Jehovah."
— Charles H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Vol. 2, commentary on Psalm 68:32 (Hendrickson Publishers), p. 342.
"All the kingdoms of the earth are summoned to give glory to the God of Israel; for though he has special relation to Israel, yet he is the God of the whole earth." — Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, Vol. 3, commentary on Psalm 68 (Hendrickson Publishers), p. 580.
“Here is the missionary note that sounds clearly throughout the Psalter: the Lord's praise is destined for the ends of the earth.” — Derek Kidner, Kidner Classic Commentaries, "Psalms 1–72: An Introduction and Commentary" (InterVarsity Press, 2014), p. 241.
"It is a call to worldwide praise, anticipating the day when all nations will acknowledge God's reign and offer Him the worship due His name." — James Montgomery Boice, Psalms: Volume 2 (Psalms 42–106), commentary on Psalm 68:32 (Baker Books, 2005), p. 554.
