“Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth” (Psalm 96:7-9).

My red dictionary gives the definition for ascribe as follows: “1. to credit or assign, as to a cause or source. 2. to attribute or think of as belonging, as a quality or characteristic.” You can also notice the word scribe in the word. A scribe was someone who made manuscript copies. 

So what are the characteristics and qualities of God that we are being asked to attribute to God? There are many laudable characteristics of God mentioned throughout this psalm: strength and glory unlike any other, good judgment, beauty, and splendor. We could each think of additional characteristics.

The psalmist also calls us to rejoice. Knowing who God is, we rejoice to be created and sustained by a God who “does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). We are thankful that he will be equitable and faithful as he reigns over us all.

These truths are written in Scripture, in countless devotions, in poetry, and in works of art. We are called to be scribes and write them on our hearts and into each interaction of our lives. 

In what personal way can you remember and mark God’s goodness? The ways to live your praise are nearly as endless as God’s goodness.