Proclaim Salvation to All People

Psalm 96 calls us to proclaim salvation to all people and declare God’s glory among all peoples, joining the ongoing mission to make His love known worldwide.

“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth … bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” (Psalm 96:1–3).

Though Henry Ernest Nichol had planned to be an engineer, he later decided to study music. A strong Christian, he was involved in England’s Sunday School movement, often using his musical gifts to write hymns.

In 1896 when Nichol was 34 years old, his heart was moved by the need to reach the world with the Gospel. Believing it was critical for every Christian to be involved in this mission, he expressed his passion in a hymn called “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations.”

He wrote that the story of Jesus “shall turn their hearts to the right.” It is “a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light.”

Recognizing that Jesus is the answer to the world’s problems, he declared, “For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noonday bright; and Christ’s great Kingdom shall come on earth, the Kingdom of love and light.”

This was a story that would lift the hearts of the nations “to the Lord, a song that shall conquer evil and shatter the spear and sword.” It was a message to show the world “that God is love” and that people everywhere “might come to the truth of God.”

Today, the nations still need this same message—and the need is urgent! It is our responsibility, our duty, and our joy to “declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all peoples!”

Reflection Question: Are you sharing God’s salvation every day?