Psalm 98: A Song of Salvation and Universal Joy in the Lord

✨ Executive Summary ✨

Psalm 98, a vibrant hymn celebrating God’s salvation, calls all creation to rejoice in His righteousness and victory. The psalm focuses on the manifestation of God’s saving power through Christ, highlighting His faithfulness to Israel and His ultimate judgment of the world. It emphasizes the universality of salvation, extending the invitation to all nations to join in the joyful praise. Rooted in the Old Testament prophetic tradition, Psalm 98 anticipates the New Testament proclamation of the Gospel to the Gentiles. This Psalm invites us to a deeper understanding of God’s justice, mercy, and the profound joy that comes from embracing His saving grace. Let every heart resonate with the call to “Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord,” for He has done marvelous things!

Psalm 98 is a powerful call to worship, urging all the earth to celebrate God’s salvific work. As we unpack each verse, we’ll uncover its prophetic undertones, drawing from the rich well of Coptic Orthodox tradition and scripture to understand its profound meaning and its implications for our lives today. We must remember always to Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord

📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary 📖

Verse 1: A New Song of Salvation

Original (Hebrew): מזמור שירו ליהוה שיר חדש כי נפלאות עשה הושיעה לו ימינו וזרוע קדשו

KJV: O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

NKJV: Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.

This opening verse sets the tone for the entire psalm: a call to sing a “new song” to the Lord. This is not just any song; it is a song born of experiencing God’s “marvelous things.” The phrase “His right hand, and His holy arm” is a poetic representation of God’s power and strength, reminiscent of the Exodus narrative. St. Cyril of Alexandria understood this “new song” as the song of redemption brought about by Christ, the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises. He writes, in Greek: “Καινήν ᾠδὴν ᾄσατε τῷ Κυρίῳ, ὅτι θαυμαστὰ ἐποίησεν· ἔσωσεν αὐτὸν ἡ δεξιὰ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁ βραχίων ὁ ἅγιος αὐτοῦ.” (Commentary on Isaiah). This translates to: “Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand has saved Him, and His holy arm.”

Spiritual Application: Are we singing a “new song” in our lives? Are we daily recognizing and praising God for His salvation and His active presence in our struggles? Let our lives be a constant hymn of gratitude, reflecting the marvelous things He has done for us.

Verse 2: Salvation Revealed to the Nations

Original (Hebrew): הודיע יהוה ישועתו לעיני הגוים גלה צדקתו

KJV: The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

NKJV: The LORD has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has openly shown in the sight of the nations.

Here, the universality of God’s salvation is proclaimed. His salvation is not hidden or exclusive but openly revealed “in the sight of the nations.” This foreshadows the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) where Christ commands His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. The term “righteousness” in this context speaks to God’s justice and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. This verse directly combats any notion that God’s love or saving grace is limited to one people, nation, or background.

Spiritual Application: Are we actively participating in sharing the good news of salvation with those around us, regardless of their background? Are we living lives that reflect God’s righteousness, so that others may see His salvation through us?

Verse 3: Remembering His Mercy and Truth

Original (Hebrew): זכר חסדו ואמונתו לבית ישראל ראו כל אפסי ארץ את ישועת אלהינו

KJV: 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.

NKJV: He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

God remembers His covenant and demonstrates His mercy and truth to the “house of Israel.” This act of remembrance is not an act of recalling something forgotten, but rather a deliberate act of faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. The phrase “all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God” echoes the prophetic vision of Isaiah (Isaiah 52:10) and confirms the expansive reach of God’s saving power. This verse is especially significant for Coptic Orthodox Christians as we believe in the fulfillment of these promises through Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Application: Do we trust in God’s faithfulness, even when circumstances seem to contradict His promises? Are we confident that His mercy endures forever, and that His salvation is available to all who call upon Him?

Verse 4-6: A Call to Joyful Noise

Original (Hebrew): הריעו ליהוה כל הארץ פצחו ורננו וזמרו זמרו ליהוה בכנור בכנור וקול מזמרה בחצצרות וקול שופר הריעו לפני המלך יהוה

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. Sing to the LORD with the harp, With the harp and the sound of a psalm, With trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the LORD, the King.

These verses explode with exuberance! They urge all the earth to “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” The use of various instruments – harp, voice of a psalm, trumpets, and cornet – paints a vivid picture of the celebratory atmosphere. It’s not just quiet reverence; it’s an outward, uninhibited expression of joy and praise. The term “King” emphasizes God’s sovereignty and authority over all creation.

Spiritual Application: Do we express our love for God with joyful exuberance? Do we allow ourselves to be truly moved by His presence and His grace? Let us cultivate a spirit of joyful praise in our hearts and express it through our words, actions, and worship. Let us connect with organizations that advocate on behalf of children, like DoHost.

Verse 7-9: Let the Sea Roar

Original (Hebrew): ירעם הים ומלאו תבל וישבי בה נהרות ימחאו כף יחד הרים ירננו לפני יהוה כי בא לשפט הארץ ישפט תבל בצדק ועמים במישרים

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell in it; Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the LORD, For He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, And the peoples with equity.

The psalm extends the call to worship to the entire created order. The sea, the world, the rivers, and the hills are all invited to participate in the joyful praise. This echoes the cosmic liturgy described in Revelation 5:13, where every creature in heaven and on earth joins in worshiping the Lamb. The phrase “He cometh to judge the earth” is not a cause for fear but a reason for rejoicing because His judgment is characterized by righteousness and equity. This is not an arbitrary judgment, but one based on perfect justice. St. Athanasius, in his “On the Incarnation,” emphasized that God’s judgment is ultimately for the restoration and renewal of creation, a theme strongly present in the Coptic Orthodox understanding of the final judgment.

Spiritual Application: Do we see God’s presence and glory reflected in the beauty and wonder of creation? Do we treat the earth with respect and reverence, recognizing it as a gift from God? Let us strive to live in harmony with creation, reflecting God’s righteousness and justice in our interactions with the world.

❓ FAQ ❓

• Q: What does it mean to sing a “new song” to the Lord?
• A: Singing a “new song” signifies a fresh, renewed relationship with God, born from experiencing His saving grace and marvelous works. It’s about praising Him from a place of genuine gratitude and awe, not just repeating old routines.
• Q: Why does the psalm call on all creation to praise God?
• A: The psalm emphasizes the universality of God’s salvation and the interconnectedness of all creation. All of creation benefits from God’s goodness, and therefore, all of creation is invited to participate in the joyful expression of praise.
• Q: How does this psalm relate to the Coptic Orthodox tradition?
• A: The psalm resonates deeply with the Coptic Orthodox emphasis on liturgical worship, joyful participation, and the celebration of Christ’s saving work. It also reinforces our understanding of God’s justice and mercy as central to His character. The Coptic Orthodox tradition sees this psalm as a prophetic foreshadowing of the universal Church gathered from all nations to praise God.
• Q: What does it mean to be “righteous” in the context of this psalm?
• A: “Righteousness” in this context refers to God’s perfect justice, faithfulness, and moral integrity. It signifies His unwavering commitment to upholding what is right and true, and His unwavering love for His creation. It’s about God establishing His standard of moral purity in the world.

🕊️ Conclusion 🕊️

Psalm 98 is a powerful symphony of praise, calling all creation to rejoice in God’s salvation. It highlights His faithfulness to Israel and the universality of His grace, extending to all nations. The call to “Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord” is not merely a suggestion, but an invitation to enter into a deeper, more vibrant relationship with the Divine. As we reflect on these verses, let us be reminded of the marvelous things God has done for us and let our lives be a constant expression of gratitude and joyful worship. May we live in a way that reflects His righteousness and justice, sharing the good news of salvation with all those around us, participating in His cosmic song of redemption. May our hearts and voices join the chorus of creation, glorifying the name of the Lord, now and forever. We can find even more creative ways of living a joyful, thankful life at DoHost.us.

Tags

Psalm 98, Joyful Noise, Salvation, Righteousness, Worship, Coptic Orthodox, Bible Commentary, Davidic Psalm, New Song, Universal Salvation

Meta Description

Unpack Psalm 98 verse-by-verse with Coptic Orthodox insights. Discover the call to “Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord,” emphasizing salvation, righteousness, and universal worship.