Psalms · Chapter 98

Verse 1. A new song] A song of excellence. Give him the highest praise. See on Psalms 96:1Psalm 96:1.

Hath done marvellous things] twalpn niphlaoth, “miracles, “ the same word as in Psalms 96:3Psalm 96:3, where we translate it wonders. His holy arm] His Almighty power,—

Hath gotten him the victory.] wl הושיעה hoshiah llo, “hath made salvation to himself.”

Verse 1. O sing unto the Lord a new song — See on Psalms 96:1Psalm 96:1. For he hath done marvellous things — The work of our redemption and salvation by Christ is a work of wonder. If we take a view of all the steps of it, from the contrivance of it before all time to the consummation of it, and its everlasting consequences when time shall be no more, we shall say, God has in it done marvellous things; it is all his doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. His right hand, &c., hath gotten him the victory — God, by his own only power, hath overcome all difficulties and enemies, and hath, in spite of all opposition, raised Christ from the dead, and set him upon his throne, and propagated his kingdom in the world.

1. A new song—See note on Psalms 96:1Psalm 96:1. His right hand, and his holy arm—Symbols of his most excellent power and majesty. Hath gotten him the victory—The form of expression denotes, that as the cause was God’s, so he achieved deliverance in a manner to signalize his own name. The description is parallel to Isaiah 52:10; 59:16; and applies, prophetically, to Christ, his resurrection, and his victory over his enemies.

V. 2. Salvation-The redemption of the world by the Messiah: which was hitherto reserved was a secret among the Jews, yea was not throughly known by the most of the Jews themselves. Righteousness-His faithfulness in accomplishing this great promise.

Verse 2. Made known his salvation] He has delivered his people in such a way as to show that it was supernatural, and that their confidence in the unseen God was not in vain.

Verses 2, 3. The Lord hath made known his salvation — The redemption of the world by the Messiah; which was hitherto reserved as a secret among the Jews, yea, was not thoroughly known by most of the Jews themselves. His righteousness hath he openly showed — Either his faithfulness in accomplishing this great promise of sending the Messiah; or his goodness and mercy, often termed his righteousness, or God’s method of justifying sinners, and making them righteous through faith in Christ, continually called the righteousness of God in the New Testament. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth — He hath now actually given that mercy which he had promised to the Israelites. All the ends of the earth — All its inhabitants, from one end to another; have seen the salvation of our God — It has been published, and plainly discovered to them, not in types and shadows, as under the law, but written as with a sun-beam, and exhibited openly, that he who runs may read it.

2. His righteousness—In punishing the wicked and vindicating the just. The word corresponds to his salvation in the previous member of the verse, for the “salvation” of those who trust in him implies judgment against such as reject and persecute the truth. Openly showed in the sight of the heathen—It was no doubtful display of the divine power and purpose, but open, and defiant of all his enemies. The sentence is a more emphatic form of made known, in the previous member.

Verse 3. He hath remembered his mercy] His gracious promises to their forefathers.

And his truth] Faithfully accomplishing what he had promised. All this was fulfilled under the Gospel.

Verses 2, 3. The Lord hath made known his salvation — The redemption of the world by the Messiah; which was hitherto reserved as a secret among the Jews, yea, was not thoroughly known by most of the Jews themselves. His righteousness hath he openly showed — Either his faithfulness in accomplishing this great promise of sending the Messiah; or his goodness and mercy, often termed his righteousness, or God’s method of justifying sinners, and making them righteous through faith in Christ, continually called the righteousness of God in the New Testament. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth — He hath now actually given that mercy which he had promised to the Israelites. All the ends of the earth — All its inhabitants, from one end to another; have seen the salvation of our God — It has been published, and plainly discovered to them, not in types and shadows, as under the law, but written as with a sun-beam, and exhibited openly, that he who runs may read it.

3. He hath remembered—That is, to fulfil and make good his promise. Here is a recognition of covenant promise and relation toward the house of Israel. Ends of the earth—A clear anticipation of the subjection of the Gentile nations to Christ. The judgments of Jehovah, like the miracles of Egypt, of the Red Sea, and of the wilderness, in Moses’s time, should cause the distant nations to tremble and submit.

Verses 4-9. Make a joyful noise, &c. — Because you all now partake of the same privileges with the Jews, join with them in worshipping and praising God. Sing unto the Lord with a harp — Here again, as in Psalms 92:3Psalm 92:3, the worship of the New Testament is described in phrases taken from the rites of the Old. “The psalmist, beholding in spirit the accomplishment of the promises, the advent of Christ, and the glory of his kingdom, thinks it criminal in any creature to be silent: he bids the whole earth break forth into joy, and exult in God her Saviour, with every token of gratitude and thankfulness.” He even calls upon “the inanimate parts of creation to bear their parts in the new song, and to fill up the universal chorus of praise.” He bids the sea roar, as men in triumph make a loud and vehement noise, and the floods to clap their hands, as men do in token of delight and approbation, while the hills, in like manner, resound their joy. Before the Lord, for he cometh, &c. — Here we have “the subject of this general joy, as before in Psalms 96:13Psalm 96:13, namely, the coming of the Messiah to reform the world, to execute judgment upon the wicked, and to establish a kingdom of righteousness upon the earth. We expect his second advent to restore all things, to judge the world, to condemn his enemies, and to begin his glorious reign. Then shall heaven and earth rejoice, and the joy of the redeemed shall be full.” — Horne.

4. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord—Shout to Jehovah. This call is made to all the earth, inasmuch as “the ends of the earth” had seen (verse 3) the salvation of God to his people. The descriptions of joy and praise, given in verses 4-6, may be accepted as comprehending all that was known in Hebrew worship of vocal and instrumental demonstrations of rejoicing.

Verse 5. With-the voice of a Psalm.] I think hrmz zimrah, which we translate Psalm, means either a musical instrument, or a species of ode modulated by different voices.

Verses 4-9. Make a joyful noise, &c. — Because you all now partake of the same privileges with the Jews, join with them in worshipping and praising God. Sing unto the Lord with a harp — Here again, as in Psalms 92:3Psalm 92:3, the worship of the New Testament is described in phrases taken from the rites of the Old. “The psalmist, beholding in spirit the accomplishment of the promises, the advent of Christ, and the glory of his kingdom, thinks it criminal in any creature to be silent: he bids the whole earth break forth into joy, and exult in God her Saviour, with every token of gratitude and thankfulness.” He even calls upon “the inanimate parts of creation to bear their parts in the new song, and to fill up the universal chorus of praise.” He bids the sea roar, as men in triumph make a loud and vehement noise, and the floods to clap their hands, as men do in token of delight and approbation, while the hills, in like manner, resound their joy. Before the Lord, for he cometh, &c. — Here we have “the subject of this general joy, as before in Psalms 96:13Psalm 96:13, namely, the coming of the Messiah to reform the world, to execute judgment upon the wicked, and to establish a kingdom of righteousness upon the earth. We expect his second advent to restore all things, to judge the world, to condemn his enemies, and to begin his glorious reign. Then shall heaven and earth rejoice, and the joy of the redeemed shall be full.” — Horne.

Verse 6. With trumpets] twrxxj chatsotseroth. Some kind of tubular instruments, of the form and management of which we know nothing. And sound of cornet] rpwv shophar, the word commonly used for what we call trumpet.

Verses 4-9. Make a joyful noise, &c. — Because you all now partake of the same privileges with the Jews, join with them in worshipping and praising God. Sing unto the Lord with a harp — Here again, as in Psalms 92:3Psalm 92:3, the worship of the New Testament is described in phrases taken from the rites of the Old. “The psalmist, beholding in spirit the accomplishment of the promises, the advent of Christ, and the glory of his kingdom, thinks it criminal in any creature to be silent: he bids the whole earth break forth into joy, and exult in God her Saviour, with every token of gratitude and thankfulness.” He even calls upon “the inanimate parts of creation to bear their parts in the new song, and to fill up the universal chorus of praise.” He bids the sea roar, as men in triumph make a loud and vehement noise, and the floods to clap their hands, as men do in token of delight and approbation, while the hills, in like manner, resound their joy. Before the Lord, for he cometh, &c. — Here we have “the subject of this general joy, as before in Psalms 96:13Psalm 96:13, namely, the coming of the Messiah to reform the world, to execute judgment upon the wicked, and to establish a kingdom of righteousness upon the earth. We expect his second advent to restore all things, to judge the world, to condemn his enemies, and to begin his glorious reign. Then shall heaven and earth rejoice, and the joy of the redeemed shall be full.” — Horne.

6. Trumpets and… cornet—For “cornet” see note on Psalms 81:3Psalm 81:3. “Trumpets,” here, are the “silver trumpets” which Moses was commanded to make, to be used only by the priests for signals of war, the beginnings of months, festivals, and sacrifices. Numbers 10:1-10; 31:6. At first they were only two, but increased to twenty in the time of Solomon, and employed in the orchestra. 2 Chronicles 5:12.

Verse 7. Let the sea roar] These are either fine poetic images; or, if we take them as referring to the promulgation of the Gospel, by the sea all maritime countries and commercial nations may be intended.

Verses 4-9. Make a joyful noise, &c. — Because you all now partake of the same privileges with the Jews, join with them in worshipping and praising God. Sing unto the Lord with a harp — Here again, as in Psalms 92:3Psalm 92:3, the worship of the New Testament is described in phrases taken from the rites of the Old. “The psalmist, beholding in spirit the accomplishment of the promises, the advent of Christ, and the glory of his kingdom, thinks it criminal in any creature to be silent: he bids the whole earth break forth into joy, and exult in God her Saviour, with every token of gratitude and thankfulness.” He even calls upon “the inanimate parts of creation to bear their parts in the new song, and to fill up the universal chorus of praise.” He bids the sea roar, as men in triumph make a loud and vehement noise, and the floods to clap their hands, as men do in token of delight and approbation, while the hills, in like manner, resound their joy. Before the Lord, for he cometh, &c. — Here we have “the subject of this general joy, as before in Psalms 96:13Psalm 96:13, namely, the coming of the Messiah to reform the world, to execute judgment upon the wicked, and to establish a kingdom of righteousness upon the earth. We expect his second advent to restore all things, to judge the world, to condemn his enemies, and to begin his glorious reign. Then shall heaven and earth rejoice, and the joy of the redeemed shall be full.” — Horne.

7. Let the sea roar—Inanimate nature (verses 7, 8), is called to unite with the Gentile nations and the covenant people in the highest strains of joy, at this coming of Jehovah to judge the earth. For a still higher realization of this “new song” of the universe, see Revelation 5:9-14. In both instances the occasion is the same: Jehovah’s righteous judgment of the world, or, in the New Testament, Christ’s victory over the nations.

Verse 8. Let the floods clap their hands] twrhn neharoth, properly the rivers-possibly meaning immense continents, where only large rivers are found; thus including inland people, as well as maritime nations, and those on the sea-coasts generally; as in those early times little more than the coasts of the sea were known. The Gospel shall be preached in the most secluded nations of the world.

Let the hills be joyful] All the inhabitants of rocky and mountainous countries.

Verses 4-9. Make a joyful noise, &c. — Because you all now partake of the same privileges with the Jews, join with them in worshipping and praising God. Sing unto the Lord with a harp — Here again, as in Psalms 92:3Psalm 92:3, the worship of the New Testament is described in phrases taken from the rites of the Old. “The psalmist, beholding in spirit the accomplishment of the promises, the advent of Christ, and the glory of his kingdom, thinks it criminal in any creature to be silent: he bids the whole earth break forth into joy, and exult in God her Saviour, with every token of gratitude and thankfulness.” He even calls upon “the inanimate parts of creation to bear their parts in the new song, and to fill up the universal chorus of praise.” He bids the sea roar, as men in triumph make a loud and vehement noise, and the floods to clap their hands, as men do in token of delight and approbation, while the hills, in like manner, resound their joy. Before the Lord, for he cometh, &c. — Here we have “the subject of this general joy, as before in Psalms 96:13Psalm 96:13, namely, the coming of the Messiah to reform the world, to execute judgment upon the wicked, and to establish a kingdom of righteousness upon the earth. We expect his second advent to restore all things, to judge the world, to condemn his enemies, and to begin his glorious reign. Then shall heaven and earth rejoice, and the joy of the redeemed shall be full.” — Horne.

8. The floods—Hebrew, the rivers. See on Psalms 93:3Psalm 93:3. Clap their hands—The clapping of the rivers is a figure which differs from Isaiah 4:12, and occurs nowhere else, but finds its origin in the playful dashings of the river rapids, or floods, as the common version has it. On clapping of hands, as an expression of exultation, see 2 Kings 11:12; Psalms 47:1Psalm 47:1; Ezekiel 25:6. The whole imagery is exceedingly animated. See Psalms 96:11Psalm 96:11-13. The correspondence of much of this psalm with the later prophecies of Isaiah is no proof that it is borrowed from, and hence later than, the latter, (better might the prophet be supposed to have copied from the psalm,) but is an example of coincidences in the poetic style where the subjects were similar, not unfrequent in Scripture, and not confined to Scripture. Hills be joyful—Hills are “joyful” when clothed with greenness and covered with flocks. See on Psalms 65:13Psalm 65:13. In the last of May and June the hills of Palestine already put on a brown and parched appearance for want of moisture; but if the rains, which end in April, have been copious, the harvest is plenteous and joyous. The imagery is specially suited to a pastoral and agricultural people in such a climate. Wherever Christ reigns men are at peace with each other, and through honest industry and sobriety the external signs of righteousness and prosperity soon appear in nature and in society.

Verse 9. For he cometh to judge the earth] He comes to make known his salvation, and show his merciful designs to all the children of men. With righteousness shall he judge the world] His word shall not be confined; all shall know him, from the least to the greatest: he shall show that he is loving to every man, and hateth nothing that he hath made. See the notes on Psalms 96:10Psalm 96:10-13. There is a very great similarity between this Psalm and the Song or Magnificat of the Blessed Virgin. I shall note some of the parallels, chiefly from Bishop Nicholson.

This Psalm is an evident prophecy of Christ’s coming to save the world; and what is here foretold by David is, in the Blessed Virgin’s song, chanted forth as being accomplished. David is the Voice, and Mary is the Echo.

1. DAVID. “O sing unto the Lord a new song.” (The Voice.) MARY. “My soul doth magnify the Lord.” (The Echo.)

2. DAVID. “He hath done marvellous things.” (The Voice.)

MARY. “He that is mighty hath done great things.” (The Echo.)

3. DAVID. “With his own right hand and holy arm hath he gotten himself the victory.” (The Voice.)

MARY. “He hath showed strength with his arm and scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.” (The Echo.)

4. DAVID. “The Lord hath made known his salvation; his righteousness hath he openly showed,” &c. (The Voice.)

MARY. “His mercy is on them that fear him, from generation to generation.” (The Echo.)

5. DAVID. “He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel.” (The Voice.)

MARY. “He hath holpen his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy.” (The Echo.)

These parallels are very striking; and it seems as if Mary had this Psalm in her eye when she composed her song of triumph. And this is a farther argument that the whole Psalm, whether it record the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, or the Jews from the Babylonish captivity, is yet to be ultimately understood of the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ, and the proclamation of his Gospel through all the nations of the earth: and taken in this view, no language can be too strong, nor poetic imagery too high, to point out the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Verses 4-9. Make a joyful noise, &c. — Because you all now partake of the same privileges with the Jews, join with them in worshipping and praising God. Sing unto the Lord with a harp — Here again, as in Psalms 92:3Psalm 92:3, the worship of the New Testament is described in phrases taken from the rites of the Old. “The psalmist, beholding in spirit the accomplishment of the promises, the advent of Christ, and the glory of his kingdom, thinks it criminal in any creature to be silent: he bids the whole earth break forth into joy, and exult in God her Saviour, with every token of gratitude and thankfulness.” He even calls upon “the inanimate parts of creation to bear their parts in the new song, and to fill up the universal chorus of praise.” He bids the sea roar, as men in triumph make a loud and vehement noise, and the floods to clap their hands, as men do in token of delight and approbation, while the hills, in like manner, resound their joy. Before the Lord, for he cometh, &c. — Here we have “the subject of this general joy, as before in Psalms 96:13Psalm 96:13, namely, the coming of the Messiah to reform the world, to execute judgment upon the wicked, and to establish a kingdom of righteousness upon the earth. We expect his second advent to restore all things, to judge the world, to condemn his enemies, and to begin his glorious reign. Then shall heaven and earth rejoice, and the joy of the redeemed shall be full.” — Horne.