Wisdom

What Does Psalms 98 Teach Us?: All Creation Sings Praise

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Chapter Summary

Psalm 98 is a vibrant and powerful hymn calling the entire world to celebrate God's victory. It portrays a scene of universal worship, where not only people from all nations but even nature itself joins in a joyful song. The psalm moves from remembering God's specific faithfulness to Israel to announcing His salvation and righteous rule over all the earth.

Core Passages from Psalms 98

  • Psalm 98:1Oh 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.

    This opening verse sets the theme for the entire psalm: God has done something new and wonderful, achieving a great victory of salvation through His own power, which calls for a fresh song of praise.

  • Psalm 98:4Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

    This command expands the audience for worship from Israel to 'all the earth,' emphasizing the universal nature of God's reign and the joy He inspires in all people.

  • Psalm 98:9before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

    The psalm concludes with the ultimate reason for celebration: the Lord is coming to judge the world. This is seen as good news because His judgment will finally bring perfect justice and equity to all.
Universal rejoicing in divine victory and the sacred rhythm of creation's praise.
Universal rejoicing in divine victory and the sacred rhythm of creation's praise.

Historical & Cultural Context

A New Song for a Mighty Victory

Psalm 98 belongs to a group of psalms (93, 95-99) that celebrate the Lord as King. It doesn't pinpoint a single historical event but rather paints a timeless picture of God's triumphant rule over everything. The psalm opens with a call for a 'new song,' which in the Bible is often a response to a fresh, mighty act of God's salvation. The atmosphere is one of pure celebration, like a victory parade for a king who has won a decisive battle for his people.

From Israel to the Ends of the Earth

The perspective of the psalm quickly broadens from a local celebration to a global event. It begins by acknowledging God's special relationship with the 'house of Israel' but then declares that His salvation has been seen by 'all the ends of the earth.' This sets the stage for an invitation to worship that includes everyone and everything. The call to praise is a universal summons for the whole world to recognize and rejoice in its true King. It is not limited by geography or ethnicity.

Joyful exultation echoing through the cosmos, acknowledging a divine conductor.
Joyful exultation echoing through the cosmos, acknowledging a divine conductor.

A Symphony of Universal Praise

Psalm 98 unfolds like a grand musical performance, building in intensity and scope. It begins with a declaration of God's saving work, then invites all of humanity to join the celebration with instruments and song. The chorus grows to include the roaring sea, clapping rivers, and joyful hills, all culminating in the final, glorious reason for this universal praise: the coming of the righteous King to judge the earth.

God's Salvation Revealed  (Psalm 98:1-3)

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.

Commentary:

God has won a great victory of salvation, and He wants the whole world to see it.

The psalm opens with an urgent call to sing a 'new song' because God has done 'marvelous things.' The specific marvel is His salvation, a powerful act of deliverance He accomplished all by Himself, described poetically as His 'right hand and his holy arm.' This victory isn't a secret. The psalmist emphasizes that God has deliberately made His salvation and righteousness known to all nations, demonstrating His faithfulness not only to Israel but to the entire world.

A Joyful Noise from All People  (Psalm 98:4-6)

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.

Commentary:

Everyone on earth is invited to celebrate God's kingship with loud and joyful music.

The focus now shifts from the reason for praise to the act of praise itself. The invitation goes out to 'all the earth' to make a 'joyful noise.' This worship is loud, exuberant, and celebratory. It is not quiet or somber. The psalmist pictures a full orchestra, complete with lyres, trumpets, and horns, all sounding off in honor of 'the King, the Lord.' This section makes it clear that the proper response to God's kingship is unrestrained, joyful participation from every person.

Creation Joins the Chorus  (Psalm 98:7-8)

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

Commentary:

Even nature itself - the seas, rivers, and mountains - celebrates God's presence.

The celebration expands even further, moving beyond humanity to encompass the entire natural world. Using beautiful, poetic imagery, the psalmist personifies creation. The sea roars, the rivers clap their hands, and the hills sing for joy together. This communicates an important theological truth. It is not merely a literary flourish. God's redemptive work is so significant that all of creation, which groans under the weight of brokenness, instinctively rejoices at the presence of its rightful King.

The Joy of Righteous Judgment  (Psalm 98:9)

9 before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

Commentary:

The world rejoices because God is coming to rule with perfect fairness and justice for all.

The psalm reaches its climax by revealing the ultimate reason for this universal worship: 'for he comes to judge the earth.' While judgment can sound frightening, here it is the source of greatest joy. The reason is that God's judgment will be perfectly fair and just. He will judge the world with 'righteousness' and the peoples with 'equity,' meaning He will finally put an end to all injustice, corruption, and evil. This is the great hope for which all of creation longs and sings.

Celebrating God's Victory, Kingship, and Justice

God's Universal Salvation

Psalm 98 powerfully declares that God's saving plan is not limited to one nation. While He is faithful to His promises to Israel, His salvation is a global event revealed 'in the sight of the nations' so that 'all the ends of the earth' can witness it. This theme shows God's expansive heart for all of humanity.

Joy as the Right Response to God

The psalm is saturated with commands for joyful expression: 'sing a new song,' 'make a joyful noise,' 'sing for joy.' This teaches that the natural and fitting response to who God is and what He has done is not solemn duty, but exuberant, heartfelt celebration. Joy is the sound of a right relationship with the King.

The Goodness of God's Judgment

This psalm reframes divine judgment as something to look forward to with joy. The reason all creation celebrates is that the King is coming to make everything right. His judgment means the end of injustice and the establishment of a world ruled with perfect fairness, which is the ultimate good news for a broken world.

The sacred act of praise transforms the mundane into a vibrant expression of divine connection and communal joy.
The sacred act of praise transforms the mundane into a vibrant expression of divine connection and communal joy.

Bringing the Song of Praise into Daily Life

What does Psalm 98 teach about the nature of worship?

Psalm 98 shows that your worship can be a joyful and expressive celebration of God's goodness. It encourages you to move beyond quiet reverence and embrace making a 'joyful noise to the Lord' (Psalm 98:4). This means your praise can be loud, emotional, and creative, using your voice and any means you have to celebrate what God has done.

How can I apply the psalm's global perspective to my faith?

This psalm reminds you that God's heart is for 'all the ends of the earth' (Psalm 98:3). You can apply this by intentionally praying for people in other countries, learning about different cultures, and showing hospitality to neighbors from different backgrounds. It challenges you to see your faith as part of God's massive, worldwide story of salvation.

What does it mean to find joy in God's coming judgment?

Finding joy in God's judgment, as described in Psalm 98:9, means holding onto the hope that God will ultimately make all things right. It is the belief that injustice and suffering do not have the last word. This allows you to live with less fear and more confidence, trusting that God's plan is to bring perfect fairness and healing to the world.

God's Salvation: A Global Celebration

Psalm 98 declares that God's saving victory is a public event meant for a global audience. It is too significant to be kept secret. In His mighty acts, God's character - His faithfulness, righteousness, and love - is put on display for all to see. The message is that the only fitting response is a universal symphony of joyful praise from every person and all of creation, celebrating the King who comes to make everything right.

What This Means for Us Today

Psalm 98 is a powerful invitation to join a celebration that is already in progress. All of creation is singing praise to its King, and we are called to add our voices to the chorus. This psalm challenges us to look at the world, see the evidence of God's salvation, and respond not with silence, but with a joyful noise.

  • What is one 'marvelous thing' God has done that you can celebrate today?
  • How can you make a 'joyful noise' in a way that is authentic to you this week?
  • In what area of your life or the world do you need to trust in God's coming righteous judgment?
The collective uplift of hearts in shared devotion, echoing the divine.
The collective uplift of hearts in shared devotion, echoing the divine.

Further Reading

Immediate Context

This preceding psalm also celebrates God's reign, focusing on His power over all other gods and the light He brings to the righteous.

The following psalm continues the theme of God's kingship, emphasizing His holiness and His just and equitable rule.

Connections Across Scripture

This passage uses very similar language, describing how God has 'bared his holy arm' and how 'all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.'

This New Testament scene depicts a 'new song' being sung to the Lamb by people from every nation, with all of creation joining in praise, echoing the universal worship of Psalm 98.

Mary's song, the Magnificat, mirrors the themes of Psalm 98 by celebrating God's salvation, His mercy, and His justice in lifting up the humble.

Thematic Connections

A parallel psalm that also calls for a 'new song' and invites the nations and nature to rejoice in God's coming judgment.

Discussion Questions

  • The psalm calls for a 'new song' in response to God's 'marvelous things.' What is something marvelous God has done in your life or in the world recently that could inspire a fresh song of praise from you?
  • Psalm 98 describes all of creation - seas, rivers, and hills - worshipping God. How does spending time in nature affect your own sense of awe and your desire to worship God?
  • The idea of God's judgment is presented as a reason for joy (v. 9). Why do we often view judgment with fear instead of hope, and how can this psalm help change our perspective?

Glossary

figures

The Lord (YHWH)

The personal name for God in the Old Testament, presented here as the victorious King and righteous Judge.

House of Israel

The descendants of Jacob (Israel), God's chosen people through whom He revealed His plan of salvation to the world.

theological concepts

Salvation

God's act of delivering or rescuing His people from harm, oppression, or sin, demonstrating His power and love.

Righteousness

God's perfect moral character, justice, and fairness, which is the standard by which He judges and rules the world.

Steadfast Love (Hesed)

A Hebrew term describing God's loyal, covenant-keeping love and faithfulness that never gives up on His people.

terms

New Song

A term used in the Psalms to call for fresh praise in response to a new act of God's deliverance or salvation.

symbols

Right Hand and Holy Arm

A symbolic way of describing God's own personal power and strength, emphasizing that He alone achieves salvation.

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