Psalm Ninety Eight

by Dr. Henry M. Morris

(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)

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1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

A Psalm.

A Psalm. This is the only psalm with the simple title, “A Psalm.” It is a special song of joy, with the word “joyful noise” occurring twice (Psalm 98:4, 6). The same word (Hebrew rua) occurs in the first verses of the first and final psalms in this unique sextet of triumph songs (Psalms 95-100). The same word is also used when the angels “shouted for joy” as the Lord laid the foundations of the earth (Job 38:7).

Psalm 98:1 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.

Psalm 98:2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen.

Psalm 98:3 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.

the ends of the earth. When Christ returns, in glory at the end of the tribulation period, “every eye shall see Him” (Revelation 1:7).

Psalm 98:4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

Psalm 98:5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

Psalm 98:6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.

sound of cornet. In contrast to the “solemn sound” prescribed for sabbath-day worship in Israel (see note on Psalm 92:3), the time when Christ returns in glory will be a time for “the joyful sound” (Psalm 89:15), with a “new song” (Psalm 98:1), and all kinds of musical instruments (note also Psalm 150).

Psalm 98:7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

the sea roar. See also Psalm 96:11. There will be “no more sea” in the new earth (Revelation 21:1). Thus the descriptions of the future world in Psalms 95-100 must apply primarily to the millennial earth.

Psalm 98:8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together

clap their hands. See note on Psalm 47:1.

Psalm 98:9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

He cometh to judge. When Christ returns, there will be several judgments, all of them “with equity,” for “the Father ... hath committed all judgment unto the Son” (John 5:22). See note on Matthew 25:32; note on 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; note on Romans 8:1; note on 2 Corinthians 5:10; note on Revelation 20:12-15).