The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 98
In brief
Psalm 98 is a song of joy: sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His salvation and his righteousness have been seen by all the nations. All the inhabitants of the earth are invited to acclaim him with harp and trumpets, and all creation rejoices, because God is coming to judge the earth with righteousness. Christians often sing it at Christmas.
The chapter in 3 parts
1Sing to Yahweh a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
2Yahweh has made known his salvation. He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the earth! Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!
5Sing praises to Yahweh with the harp, with the harp and the voice of melody.
6With trumpets and sound of the ram’s horn, make a joyful noise before the King, Yahweh.
7Let the sea roar with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein.
8Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing for joy together.
9Let them sing before Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
Key verses
Sing to Yahweh a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
The song is new because God has done something new, and his victory calls for a song to match. It invites us to renew our praise rather than repeat it out of habit.
Yahweh has made known his salvation. He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
God's salvation is not hidden: it is seen by the nations and to the ends of the earth. It also recalls God's faithfulness to his people.
Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the earth! Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!
Praise is not reserved for Israel, it is asked of all the inhabitants of the earth. It is expressed with shouts of joy.
Let them sing before Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
Creation rejoices because God is coming to judge with righteousness and fairness. Judgment is good news here, because it puts an end to injustice.
Test your knowledge
Frequently asked questions about Psalm 98
What does Psalm 98 mean?
Psalm 98 is a call to sing to God because he has saved his people and is coming to judge the earth with righteousness. The joy is universal: the nations, the sea, the rivers and the mountains all take part. It celebrates God's victory and the prospect of a world set right. Many Christian traditions sing it at Christmas, because it announces God's salvation for all.
What does a new song mean?
The expression appears in several psalms (33, 96, 144, 149). It refers to a song that answers a new action of God, or to a heart's renewed praise. It does not require a new melody: it calls us not to settle for mechanical praise and to thank God for what he is doing recently.
How do you pray Psalm 98?
Begin by listing for God the marvelous things he has done in your life or in your church, then sing to him, alone or with others. Next, read verses 7 to 9 while thinking of creation and of those who suffer injustice, and rejoice that God is coming to set justice right.
World English Bible translation — public domain.