Psalms 98

KJV · Chapter 98/150

1O 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.

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

3He 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

📖 Chapter study

Summary

Another invitation to 'sing a new song,' because God has revealed his salvation before the nations; all creation — sea, rivers, and mountains — is called to clap and rejoice before the coming righteous judge.

Explanation

This psalm picks up themes from Psalm 96 and reinforces the idea that God's salvation is not a secret kept only for Israel, but something openly shown in the sight of the nations (v. 2). The personification of nature — rivers clapping their hands, mountains singing for joy — is a Hebrew poetic device used to express that all creation shares in the joy of God's justice. This psalm directly inspired the well-known Christmas hymn 'Joy to the World.' The application today is that God's justice and salvation are cause for universal celebration, not something reserved for a select few.

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