Psalms – Chapter 95

Old Testament • 13 Verses

Chapter Summary

Psalms 95 opens with the words: "A canticle for David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord, all the…" David stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 13 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and sin and divine judgment. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1A canticle for David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2Sing ye to the Lord and bless his name: shew forth his salvation from day to day.

3Declare his glory among the Gentiles: his wonders among all people.

4For the Lord is great, and exceedingly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

5For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: but the Lord made the heavens.

6Praise and beauty are before him: holiness and majesty in his sanctuary.

7Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the Gentiles, bring ye to the Lord glory and honour:

8Bring to the Lord glory unto his name. Bring up sacrifices, and come into his courts:

9Adore ye the Lord in his holy court. Let all the earth be moved at his presence.

10Say ye among the Gentiles, the Lord hath reigned. For he hath corrected the world, which shall not be moved: he will judge the people with justice.

11Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, let the sea be moved, and the fulness thereof:

12The fields and all things that are in them shall be joyful. Then shall all the trees of the woods rejoice

13before the face of the Lord, because he cometh: because he cometh to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with justice, and the people with his truth.

Important Verses in Psalms 95

“A canticle for David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord, all the earth.”

Psalms 95:1

“For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: but the Lord made the heavens.”

Psalms 95:5

“Adore ye the Lord in his holy court. Let all the earth be moved at his presence.”

Psalms 95:9

“before the face of the Lord, because he cometh: because he cometh to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with justice, and the people with his truth. ”

Psalms 95:13

Historical Context

Psalms addresses god's people at prayer in every age within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 95 of 150 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 13 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on David, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The chapter begins: "A canticle for David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: sing to…" The final verse reads: "before the face of the Lord, because he cometh: because he cometh to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with…" The wider setting of Psalms is this: The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, the psalmist voices praise, lament, thanksgiving, or petition before God. A pivotal line is verse 1: "A canticle for David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord, all the earth." The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 1814).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • ✓God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.

People in This Chapter

David1 mention

Reflection for Today

The central section of Psalms—Chapter 95 of 150—opens a particular moment in the story of prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God.

According to Catholic teaching, the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). This chapter especially highlights the role of the sacraments in sanctification, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 74).

Let Psalms Chapter 95 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 95 about?

Psalms 95 contains 13 verses. It opens with "A canticle for David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: sing to…" and closes with "before the face of the Lord, because he cometh: because he cometh to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with…". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 95?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "A canticle for David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord, all the earth." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Psalms Chapter 95?

This chapter mentions David.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Related Chapters

2 Samuel 24Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Chronicles 16Shares people and themes with this chapterNehemiah 12Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises🙏Act of Contrition🙏Kyrie Eleison

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

Deepen your understanding with these related articles

How to Pray

Hope Prayer: Catholic Faith Trust in God During Difficult Times

10 min readRead article
How to Pray

Intercessory Prayer and Divine Mercy: A Catholic Perspective

11 min readRead article
Bible & Faith

How to Use Faith to Embrace God's Mercy and Forgiveness

7 min readRead article
Explore All Articles