Chapter 98
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1O 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.
“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.”
Overview
Psalm 98 calls for a new song to the LORD because He has done marvelous things. His right hand and holy arm have gotten Him the victory. He has made known His salvation and revealed His righteousness in the sight of the heathen. He has remembered His mercy and truth toward the house of Israel, and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. The psalm summons instruments — harps, trumpets, cornets — and all of creation to make a joyful noise before the LORD the King, for He comes to judge the earth with righteousness.
Key Themes
God's Marvelous Salvation
God has won the victory by His own right hand — salvation is entirely His work, not human achievement, and it is displayed before the watching world.
Salvation Revealed to All Nations
God's salvation is not hidden — it is made known before the heathen, and all the ends of the earth have seen it, fulfilling His covenant promises.
All Creation Worships
Rivers clap their hands and hills are joyful together — the whole created order joins in worship of the coming King.
Study Questions
What 'marvelous things' has the LORD done (v. 1), and how does His 'right hand' accomplish salvation?
How has God 'remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel' (v. 3)?
Why is music so prominent in this psalm's call to worship (vv. 4-6)?
What does it mean that 'all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God' (v. 3)?
How does the image of creation worshipping (vv. 7-8) expand our understanding of praise?
Connection to Christ
Simeon, holding the infant Jesus in the temple, echoed this psalm when he said he had seen God's salvation 'which thou hast prepared before the face of all people' (Luke 2:30-31). Christ is the marvelous thing God has done — the victory won by His right hand. His salvation has gone to the ends of the earth, and at His return all creation will rejoice.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Psalms 98. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?