Psalms 98
Old Testament · King James Version
Psalm 98 opens with a new song because the LORD has done marvelous things and made his salvation known. The middle summons all the earth to joyful praise with voice and instruments. The closing personifies sea, rivers, and hills rejoicing because God comes to judge the world with righteousness and 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.
The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
He 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.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
Context
An unnamed enthronement psalm. Its victory language celebrates divine salvation rather than modern military conquest, and its worldwide proclamation must not be turned into coercive mission or nationalist entitlement.
Themes & application
- New song
- Salvation
- Faithfulness
- Worldwide praise
- Creation
- Judgment
Respond to God's saving faithfulness with fresh gratitude, praise without coercion, and hope in justice that belongs to God rather than private retaliation.
Key verses
A new song celebrates God's marvelous saving work.
God's steadfast love and faithfulness are remembered and his salvation reaches the ends of the earth.
Joyful worship is directed to the LORD as King.
Creation rejoices because God comes to judge with righteousness and equity.
Common misreadings of Psalms 98
Misreading: Psalm 98's victory language authorizes religious nationalism or military conquest.
In context: The psalm praises God's saving action and universal reign; it does not grant modern states or believers a mandate for conquest.
Misreading: The coming judgment permits private revenge.
In context: The psalm entrusts judgment to God and celebrates its righteousness and equity.
Cross-references
- Psalm 96 — A neighboring psalm where creation also rejoices before God's just judgment.
Frequently asked questions about Psalms 98
Why do the rivers and hills rejoice in Psalm 98?
Sources & editorial notes
- Translation
- Commentary anchored in the public-domain Psalm 98 text used by the site (en).
- Authorship
- No individual author is named in the psalm heading used for this chapter.
- Editorial process
- Synthesis checked against three literary movements and safeguards around nationalism, conquest, coercion, creation imagery, and judgment.
References
- Psalm 98 — Primary text and structure.
Author: The Lord Will Editorial Team · Reviewed by: Ugo Candido · Updated: 2026-08-20