Psalms98
New Living Translation
1 Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power!
2 The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!
3 He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
4 Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!
5 Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song,
6 with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn. Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!
7 Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the earth and all living things join in.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy
9 before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness.
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Psalms 98Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 98. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The glory of the Redeemer. (1–3). The joy of the Redeemer. (4–9).
vv1-3
A song of praise for redeeming love is a new song, a mystery hidden from ages and generations. Converts sing a new song, very different from what they had sung. If the grace of God put a new heart into our breasts, it will put a new song into our mouths. Let this new song be sung to the praise of God, in consideration of the wonders he has wrought. The Redeemer has overcome all difficulties in the way of our redemption, and was not discouraged by the services or sufferings appointed him. Let us praise him for the discoveries made to the world of the work of redemption; his salvation and his righteousness fulfilling the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament. In pursuance of this design, God raised up his Son Jesus to be not only a Light to lighten the Gentiles, but the glory of his people Israel. Surely it behoves us to inquire whether his holy arm hath gotten the victory in our hearts, over the power of Satan, unbelief, and sin? If this be our happy case, we shall exchange all light songs of vanity for songs of joy and thanksgiving; our lives will celebrate the Redeemer's praise.
vv4-9
Let all the children of men rejoice in the setting up the kingdom of Christ, for all may benefit by it. The different orders of rational creatures in the universe, seem to be described in figurative language in the reign of the great Messiah. The kingdom of Christ will be a blessing to the whole creation. We expect his second coming to begin his glorious reign. Then shall heaven and earth rejoice, and the joy of the redeemed shall be full. But sin and its dreadful effects will not be utterly done away, till the Lord come to judge the world in righteousness. Seeing then that we look for such things, let us give diligence that we may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Key Words
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
שִׁיר: to sing
חָדָשׁ: new
שִׁיר: a song; abstractly, singing
כִּי: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
פָּלָא: properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful
יָמִין: the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
קֹדֶשׁ: a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
זְרוֹעַ: the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
Cross References
Psalms 98Calvin explicitly links 'his own arm brought salvation' in Isaiah to 'his holy arm' here.
Supported by John Calvin
All the ends of the earth seeing the salvation of God matches Isaiah's identical phrase.
Supported by JFB
Parallel command to sing a new song; Poole notes both psalms share identical themes and scopes.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Zacharias celebrates God remembering His holy covenant/mercy to Israel, fulfilling this psalm.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Poole and JFB direct to Psalm 96:11-13 for identical poetic summons of creation to rejoice.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
JFB links the 'bursting forth' of joy in mountains and forests to Isaiah's creation praise.
Supported by JFB
Identical eschatological expectation of the Lord coming to judge the earth in righteousness.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Poole notes New Testament worship described in terms of Old Testament musical instruments.
Supported by Matthew Poole