Side by side
Psalm 98
Our plain-language guide next to the Bible text. Each row lines up one section with the verses it explains.
Section 1: Sing to the LORDVerses 1 to 3
"Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done wonders; His right hand and holy arm have gained Him the victory" (98:1).
A new song for a new act. God's arm — His own power — has accomplished salvation.
"The LORD has proclaimed His salvation and revealed His righteousness to the nations" (98:2).
What God did for Israel is now visible to the whole world. The salvation is not hidden.
"He has remembered His love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God" (98:3).
The love and faithfulness were promised. Now they are fulfilled — and the ends of the earth are witnesses.
1A Psalm. Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done wonders; His right hand and holy arm have gained Him the victory. 2The LORD has proclaimed His salvation and revealed His righteousness to the nations. 3He has remembered His love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Section 2: Make a Joyful NoiseVerses 4 to 6
"Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth—let your cry ring out, and sing praises!" (98:4).
The call to Israel becomes a call to all the earth.
"Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, in melodious song with the harp" (98:5).
"With trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn shout for joy before the LORD, the King" (98:6).
Harp, voice, trumpets, horn — every instrument, every voice. The worship is total.
4Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth—let your cry ring out, and sing praises! 5Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, in melodious song with the harp. 6With trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn shout for joy before the LORD, the King.
Section 3: Let the Creation SingVerses 7 to 9
"Let the sea resound, and all that fills it, the world, and all who dwell in it" (98:7).
The invitation goes beyond humans to creation itself.
"Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy" (98:8).
Rivers with hands, mountains with voices — the whole created order is personified in its praise.
"before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity" (98:9).
The reason creation rejoices: He is coming to judge with righteousness and equity. A just judge is not feared — He is welcomed.
7Let the sea resound, and all that fills it, the world, and all who dwell in it. 8Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy 9before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.
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