Psalms 98

Sing a new song—marvelous things; right hand and holy arm worked salvation. Both traditions see: new song; marvelous deeds; God's own arm.

Marvels justify newness. Salvation by his arm keeps human boasting out.

Calvin: new song for marvelous things; his own right hand and holy arm got the victory—not by ordinary means; God himself author of singular salvation. Isaiah 59:16 echoes the arm alone.

New song; marvelous; holy arm. Extraordinary mercy demands extraordinary praise.

The LORD has made known his salvation; he has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations. Wesley: Salvation—world's redemption by the Messiah, long a secret among the Jews; Righteousness—faithfulness in keeping this great promise. Both note: publicly known salvation; righteousness before nations.

What was reserved is now shown. Nations see faithfulness kept in Messianic redemption.

Calvin: Jehovah made known his salvation; revealed righteousness in the heathen's sight—open publication of saving righteousness beyond Israel.

Made known; revealed to nations. Hidden mercy becomes international news.

He remembered loving kindness and his faithfulness toward Israel; all ends of the earth have seen our God's salvation.

Israel remembered; earth sees. Particular love becomes universal vision.

Calvin: he remembered goodness and truth toward Israel; all ends of the earth seen the salvation of our God—covenant fidelity overflowed to the world's edges.

Remembered love and faithfulness; ends of the earth see. Zion's mercy is not Zion's private stash forever.

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; burst out in song and sing praises. Both readings hold: all-earth noise; break forth; praises.

Restraint gives way to an outburst of joy. All the earth is the choir roll.

Calvin: exult before Jehovah, all the earth; make a loud noise, rejoice, sing praise—volume matches marvel.

Joyful noise; all the earth; break forth. Quiet gratitude is good; this verse asks more.

Sing praises with the lyre, with lyre and sound of melody.

Instruments serve the Name. Melody is theology sung.

Calvin: sing to Jehovah with the harp, with harp and voice of a psalm—ordered music under the King.

The psalm calls for praise with the lyre and the sound of melody. Crafted praise answers crafted salvation (v. 1).

With trumpets and horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord. Both agree: brass before the King.

King titles the Lord. Noise is court ceremony for the true Sovereign.

Calvin: with trumpets and sound of cornet sing before Jehovah the King—royal acclaim.

Trumpets; horn; before the King. Worship is audience with reigning majesty.

Let the sea roar and its fullness; the world and its dwellers.

Roar is invited praise. Dwellers and depths share one summons.

Calvin: let the sea roar and its fullness; the world and those who dwell therein—creation and population together.

No province of earth is mute by permission.

Let rivers clap; mountains sing for joy together.

Metaphor teaches gladness of the order. Nature rehearses the verdict's goodness.

Calvin: floods clap hands; hills joyful together—figures of united celebration.

Rivers clap; hills sing together. Equity's approach (v. 9) makes landscape cheer.

Before the Lord—he comes to judge the earth; world with righteousness, peoples with equity. Both hear: coming Judge; righteousness; equity.

Judgment is the song's why. Equity means fair dealing for peoples—hope, not dread only, for those who love his reign.

Calvin: before Jehovah—he comes to judge the earth with righteousness and equity. Coming judgment is creation's cue to rejoice.

Comes to judge; righteousness; equity. Closing note matches Psalm 96:13's faithful judgment.