Psalms 98 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Psalm 98

Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord

A Psalm.

98:1   Oh sing to the LORD a new song,
    for he has done marvelous things!
  His right hand and his holy arm
    have worked salvation for him.
2   The LORD has made known his salvation;
    he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3   He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
    to the house of Israel.
  All the ends of the earth have seen
    the salvation of our God.
4   Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
    break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5   Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,
    with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6   With trumpets and the sound of the horn
    make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
7   Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
    the world and those who dwell in it!
8   Let the rivers clap their hands;
    let the hills sing for joy together
9   before the LORD, for he comes
    to judge the earth.
  He will judge the world with righteousness,
    and the peoples with equity.

Commentary

Psalm or praise and proclamation; similar to Ps 96; singing to the Lord, the testimony to the nations, the Lord reigning in justice.

v1-3: We sing to the Lord for;

His marvellous work and His victory;
His salvation and His righteousness;
His mercy and His faithfulness.

Praise to God is for a reason or, as here, for many reasons. Here we see something of God's character, which He has revealed. Our response to that revelation is in praise to Him.

v4-6: Joyful praise. These verses describe more the characteristics of praise, with singing, with jubilation, with a variety of musical instruments.

v7-9: See Ps 96.11-13; creation joins in praising God. God will judge the earth, and that includes the peoples that dwell in it.