Psalm 98sn Psalm 98. The psalmist summons the whole earth to praise God because he reveals his justice and delivers Israel.
A psalm.
1 Sing to the Lord a new song,sn A new song is appropriate because the Lord is constantly intervening in the world as its just king. See Ps 96:1.
for he performstn The perfect verbal forms in vv. 1-3 are understood here as describing characteristic divine activities. Another option is to translate them as present perfects, “has performed…has accomplished deliverance, etc.” referring to completed actions that have continuing results. amazing deeds!
His right hand and his mighty arm
accomplish deliverance.tn Heb “his right hand delivers for him and his holy arm.” The right hand and arm symbolize his power as a warrior-king (see Isa 52:10). His arm is “holy” in the sense that it is in a category of its own; God’s power is incomparable.
in the sight of the nations he reveals his justice.
3 He remains loyal and faithful to the family of Israel.tn Heb “he remembers his loyal love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel.”
All the ends of the earth see our God deliver us.tn Heb “the deliverance of our God,” with “God” being a subjective genitive (= God delivers).
4 Shout out praises to the Lord, all the earth!
Break out in a joyful shout and sing!
5 Sing to the Lord accompanied by a harp,
accompanied by a harp and the sound of music!
6 With trumpets and the blaring of the ram’s horn,
shout out praises before the king, the Lord!
7 Let the sea and everything in it shout,
along with the world and those who live in it!
8 Let the rivers clap their hands!
Let the mountains sing in unison
9 before the Lord!
For he comes to judge the earth!
He judges the world fairly,tn The verbal forms in v. 9 probably describe God’s typical, characteristic behavior, though they may depict in dramatic fashion the outworking of divine judgment or anticipate a future judgment of worldwide proportions (“will judge…”).
and the nations in a just manner.
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