Psalms 98:1-9·~1 min

Sing to the LORD a New Song

A new song is commanded because the LORD has done marvelous things and achieved salvation by his own right hand and holy arm. He has made that salvation known publicly, revealing his righteousness before the nations. In doing so, he has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel so clearly that the ends of the earth have seen the saving work of God.

A¹ Psalm. ²The LORD has proclaimed His salvation ³He has remembered His love and faithfulness

All the earth is summoned to make a joyful noise, break forth, and sing praises to the LORD. Lyre, voice, trumpets, and the blast of the ram's horn are all enlisted to celebrate before the King. The praise is not private or subdued, but expansive and public because the LORD's reign deserves full delight.

⁴Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; ⁵Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, ⁶With trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn

The sea and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, the rivers, and the hills are all called to rejoice before the LORD. Their joy is anchored in the future, because he is coming to judge the earth. That judgment is welcomed, not dreaded, since he will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.

⁷Let the sea resound, and all that fills it, ⁸Let the rivers clap their hands, ⁹before the LORD,

Section summaryThe psalm begins by calling for a new song because the LORD has done marvelous things by his own holy power. His salvation has been made known, his righteousness revealed before the nations, and his steadfast love to Israel remembered so openly that all the ends of the earth see it. The response is a universal outburst of praise with voices and instruments, and then the sea, rivers, and hills join the celebration because the LORD is coming to judge the earth in righteousness and equity.

Role in the chapterThis section turns God's saving acts into public celebration and future hope. It teaches that covenant mercy shown in history should stir both human worship and creation's joy at the coming of God's just reign.