Psalms 98

¹ A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

² The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

³ He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

⁴ Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

⁵ Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

⁶ With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.

⁷ Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

⁸ Let the floods clap [their] hands: let the hills be joyful together

⁹ Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

Overview of Psalm 98

Psalm 98 is a hymn of praise that celebrates God’s sovereignty and His mighty acts of salvation. It calls upon all of creation to rejoice and sing a new song to the Lord, emphasizing themes of divine justice, salvation, and universal worship.

Structure of Psalm 98

The chapter can be divided into several key sections:

• Verses 1-3: A call to sing a new song for God’s salvation.
• Verses 4-6: An invitation to all the earth to rejoice and praise God.
• Verses 7-9: A depiction of nature’s response to God’s reign and justice.

Verse Analysis

1. Verse 1: “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.”
   • This verse emphasizes the importance of a “new song,” symbolizing fresh expressions of worship in response to God’s ongoing work.
   • The mention of God’s “right hand” and “holy arm” signifies His power and authority in achieving salvation.
2. Verse 2: “The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.”
   • This verse highlights the universality of God’s salvation, indicating that it is not limited to Israel but is available to all nations.
   • The revelation of God’s righteousness points to His just nature and the moral order He establishes.
3. Verse 3: “He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.”
   • This verse reflects God’s faithfulness to His covenant with Israel, showcasing His enduring love.
   • The phrase “all the ends of the earth” reinforces the theme of global recognition of God’s salvific work.
4. Verses 4-6: “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music. Make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing.”
   • These verses serve as a call to worship, encouraging all of creation to express joy through music and song.
   • The use of musical instruments signifies the celebration of God’s deeds and the communal aspect of worship.
5. Verses 7-9: “Let the sea resound, and everything in it. Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.”
   • These verses depict nature as an active participant in worship, illustrating the cosmic scope of God’s reign.
   • The anticipation of God’s judgment emphasizes His role as a righteous judge who will bring justice to the earth.

Thematic Elements

• Joy and Celebration: The psalm emphasizes the importance of joy in worship, encouraging believers to express their gratitude and praise for God’s deeds.
• Universal Worship: The call for all nations and creation to worship God highlights the inclusive nature of His salvation.
• Divine Justice: The anticipation of God’s judgment underscores His righteousness and the assurance that justice will prevail.

Conclusion

Psalm 98 serves as a powerful reminder of God’s mighty acts and His ongoing work of salvation. It invites all of creation to join in a chorus of praise, celebrating His righteousness and justice. The psalm encourages believers to respond to God’s faithfulness with joy and worship, recognizing that His salvation is a gift meant for everyone.