PsalmsChapter 98

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A psalm. Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wonders; his right hand and his holy arm have won him victory.

The LORD has made his salvation known; he has revealed his righteousness before the eyes of the nations.

He has remembered his mercy and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Shout to the LORD, all the earth; break forth, sing for joy, and make music.

Make music to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of song.

With trumpets and the sound of the ram's horn, shout before the King, the LORD.

Let the sea roar, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.

Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy—

before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.

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Summary2

Chapter 98

Main Theme: A call to all creation to praise the Lord for his salvation and coming righteous judgment.

Content: The psalm opens with a call to sing a new song because the Lord has done wonderful deeds and won victory with his right hand. He has revealed his salvation to the nations and remembered his grace and faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the earth is called to rejoice with song and instruments, and nature itself—sea, rivers, and mountains—is invited to shout for joy before the Lord who comes to judge the earth with righteousness.

Key Words/Images:

New song (שִׁיר חָדָשׁ): Expresses a response to God's new acts of salvation and wonderful deeds.
God's right hand (יְמִינוֹ): A symbol of God's power and victory that brings salvation.
Ends of the earth (אַפְסֵי־אָרֶץ): Shows the universal scope of salvation—all peoples are witnesses.
Nature rejoices: The sea roars, rivers clap their hands, mountains sing—the whole creation praises.
Righteous judgment (בְּצֶדֶק): The Lord comes to judge the earth with righteousness and justice.

Historical context

Historical and Cultural Context for Psalm 98

Events and Customs

Psalm 98 is described as a "new song" (שִׁיר חָדָשׁ, shir chadash), an expression that in ancient Israel typically marked a fresh response to a new act of salvation from God. This type of song was sung when the people experienced divine intervention—whether military victory, deliverance from enemies, or restoration after exile. The psalm's language stating that "the nations have seen his salvation" may be linked to the period following the return from the Babylonian exile, when Israel's restoration became a visible testimony to the surrounding peoples.

The psalm mentions several musical instruments that were central to temple worship: kinnor (כִּנּוֹר, lyre/harp), chatsotsrot (חֲצֹצְרוֹת, silver trumpets), and shofar (שׁוֹפָר, ram's horn). According to Numbers 10, the silver trumpets were reserved for the priests and used during festivals and special occasions. The combination of these instruments suggests a solemn, liturgical setting—possibly connected to New Year celebrations or a enthronement liturgy where the Lord was hailed as king.

Key Terms

The expression "his right hand and his holy arm" (יְמִינוֹ וּזְרוֹעַ קָדְשׁוֹ) is powerful imagery that throughout the Old Testament denotes God's direct, mighty intervention. The right hand symbolized strength and honor throughout the ancient Near East, and "God's arm" was a fixed expression for his saving power, especially linked to deliverance from Egypt.

The verb "clap hands" (יִמְחֲאוּ־כָף) applied to the rivers is a poetic personification in which creation participates in praise. This reflects a Near Eastern concept that all of cosmos—seas, rivers, and mountains—responds to divine presence. The Lord coming to "judge" (לִשְׁפֹּט) the earth refers primarily not to punishment but to establishing righteous rule and restoring proper order in the world.

People

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Key words10

Psalm — A poetic religious song, often used in worship and prayer.
Lord — Another name for God, referring to his sovereignty and authority.
Acts of salvation — God's actions to save and deliver humanity from sin and evil.
Wisdom — The ability to use knowledge and experience in a good and righteous way.
Righteousness — The principle of acting rightly and justly, in accordance with moral and ethical standards.
Mercy — God's grace and compassion, especially toward those who suffer or are in need.
Hymn — A song or praise expressing gratitude and honor to God.
Nations — The various peoples and cultures on earth.
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