Psalms 98

Chapter Overview

What happens in Psalms 98

A psalm celebrating God's salvation and calling the whole earth — including the rivers and mountains — to shout for joy because God comes to judge the world with justice.

Scripture

Sing a New Song

Study note

Sing a new song to the Lord because he has done wonderful things. His right hand and holy arm have brought victory. He has shown his salvation to the nations and remembered his love for Israel.

1 Sing the Lord a new song, because he has done jaw-dropping things! His own right hand and his holy arm have brought the victory. 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 has let the whole world know about his saving power. He has shown the nations what his justice looks like. The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

3 He has not forgotten his loyal love and his faithfulness to the family of Israel. People at the farthest corners of the earth have seen our God come to the rescue. 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.

Shout for Joy, All the Earth

Study note

The whole earth is called to shout joyfully to the Lord with singing, harps, and trumpets.

4 Everyone on earth, shout to the Lord with joy! Let your voices ring out! Sing your hearts out in praise! Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

5 Make music for the Lord on the harp. Play the harp and let the singing fill the air. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

6 Blast the trumpets! Sound the ram's horn! Celebrate with shouts of joy before the Lord, the King. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.

Creation Celebrates

Study note

Let the sea roar, the rivers clap their hands, and the mountains sing together for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth with righteousness and the peoples with fairness.

7 Let the sea thunder with praise, along with everything in it. Let the whole world and everyone living in it join the chorus. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

8 Let the rivers slap their hands together. Let the mountains break into joyful singing Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together

9 before the Lord, because he is on his way to judge the earth. He will judge the world by doing what is right and treat every people group fairly. Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

Key Themes

Themes in Psalms 98

Singing a new song for God's victoryGod's salvation revealed to the nationsAll creation joining in praiseGod comes to judge with equity

Apply This Today

Living Psalms 98

Rivers clapping and mountains singing — this psalm imagines all of creation celebrating God's justice. You were made to join that chorus. When life feels mundane, remember that you are part of a cosmic celebration. Every act of praise, no matter how small, joins the rivers and mountains in applauding God.

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