Psalms — Chapter 98

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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.

1Oh sing unto Jehovah a new song; For he hath done marvellous things: His right hand, and his holy arm, hath wrought salvation for him.

2Jehovah hath made known his salvation: His righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the nations.

3He hath remembered his lovingkindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

4Make a joyful noise unto Jehovah, all the earth: Break forth and sing for joy, yea, sing praises.

5Sing praises unto Jehovah with the harp; With the harp and the voice of melody.

6With trumpets and sound of cornet Make a joyful noise before the King, Jehovah.

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

8Let the floods clap their hands; Let the hills sing for joy together

9Before Jehovah; for he cometh to judge the earth: He will judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with equity. Psalm 99

1A psalm. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he performs amazing deeds. His right hand and his mighty arm accomplish deliverance.

2The Lord demonstrates his power to deliver; in the sight of the nations he reveals his justice.

3He remains loyal and faithful to the family of Israel. All the ends of the earth see our God deliver us.

4Shout out praises to the Lord, all the earth. Break out in a joyful shout and sing!

5Sing to the Lord accompanied by a harp, accompanied by a harp and the sound of music.

6With trumpets and the blaring of the ram’s horn, shout out praises before the king, the Lord.

7Let the sea and everything in it shout, along with the world and those who live in it.

8Let the rivers clap their hands! Let the mountains sing in unison

9before the Lord. For he comes to judge the earth. He judges the world fairly, and the nations in a just manner.

1Sing to Yahweh a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand, and his holy arm, have worked salvation for him.

2Yahweh has made known his salvation. He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

3He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

4Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the earth! Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!

5Sing praises to Yahweh with the harp, with the harp and the voice of melody.

6With trumpets and sound of the ram’s horn, make a joyful noise before the King, Yahweh.

7Let the sea roar with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein.

8Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing for joy together.

9Let them sing before Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

An enthronement psalm — 'O sing unto the LORD a new song, for he hath done marvellous things'; His right hand and holy arm have won the victory; let the sea roar and rivers clap, for He comes to judge the earth.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Enthronement / Praise Psalm Attributed Author: Anonymous Key Themes: New song for new salvation, God's victory by His own power, salvation revealed to all nations, joyful noise with instruments, nature worshipping, God coming to judge with equity
Historical Context: Psalm 98 closely parallels Psalm 96 (both call for a "new song" and end with creation rejoicing at God's coming judgment). It also echoes Isaiah 52:10: "The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God." The psalm celebrates a specific salvation event (v.1 — "he hath done marvellous things") and calls for escalating praise: vocal singing (vv.1-3), instrumental music (vv.4-6), and cosmic celebration (vv.7-9). The hymn "Joy to the World" by Isaac Watts is a direct paraphrase of this psalm — bringing its Christmas/Messianic application to the forefront.
Structure:
  • New Song for God's Victory (vv.1-3)
  • Joyful Noise with Instruments (vv.4-6)
  • All Creation Celebrates (vv.7-9)

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Reflection

  • 1. God won the victory by Himself (v.1). No human contribution required. His right hand and holy arm — HIS power alone. This is the gospel: salvation is God's work, not yours. Receive it; don't try to earn it.
  • 2. God remembers His promises (v.3). He doesn't forget. If He promised mercy and truth, He will deliver. "He remembered" — and what He remembers, He does.
  • 3. Let everything worship (vv.7-8). If rivers can clap and hills can sing, surely you can praise. When creation itself worships, human silence is the anomaly. Join the universal chorus.
  • 4. "Joy to the World" — this is its source. The Lord HAS come. He HAS done marvelous things. Let nature and nations sing. Isaac Watts saw Christ in this psalm, and rightly so.