Another anthem of praise for the redemption of Israel from Babylon. It begins and ends like Psalms 96, and much of its language is borrowed from Isaiah 40-66. It consists of three equal stanzas. Sing praise to Jehovah for the redemption of Israel (Psalm 98:1-3). Let all the earth salute Him as King (Psalm 98:4-6); let all Nature rejoice at His Advent (Psalm 98:7-9).

This is the only Psalm which bears the title Mizmôr, ‘A Psalm,’ without any addition. The LXX has A Psalm of David.

It is fitly appointed as an alternative for the Magnificat at Evening Prayer. The hymn of praise for the Redemption of Israel from Babylon becomes in the mouth of the Christian Church a hymn of praise for the Redemption of the world.

1. O sing unto the Lord a new song] So Psalm 96:1 a. marvellous things] Cp. Psalm 96:3 b.

his own right hand, and his holy arm, hath wrought salvation for him] He needed no help: His own might was all-sufficient to deliver Israel from Babylon. Cp. Isaiah 52:10; Isaiah 59:16; Isaiah 63:5; Psalm 44:3. The restoration from the Exile was a second Exodus, and this ‘new song’ is an echo of the ancient ‘Song of Moses.’ Cp. Exodus 15:2; Exodus 15:6; Exodus 15:11-12.

1–3. Praise Jehovah for the glorious salvation which He has wrought.

2. Jehovah hath made known his salvation:

In the sight of the nations hath he revealed his righteousness.

Cp. Isaiah 56:1. The juxtaposition of salvation and righteousness is characteristic of Isaiah 40-66. The deliverance of Israel is the outcome and the visible manifestation of Jehovah’s faithfulness to His covenant. Cp. Psalm 71:15.

3. He hath remembered] Though Israel in its despair said, “Jehovah hath forsaken me, and the Lord hath forgotten me” (Isaiah 49:14), the confidence of the earlier prophet (Micah 7:20) was not misplaced.

his mercy and his truth] His lovingkindness and his faithfulness. Cp. Psalm 89:1 ff.; Psalm 92:2; Luke 1:54.

all the ends &c.] The prediction of Isaiah 52:10 has been fulfilled.

4. Shout unto Jehovah, all the earth;

Break forth and sing for joy, yea, make melody.

Salute Jehovah with the gladsome shouts and music and blare of trumpets (Psalm 98:6) and clapping of hands (Psalm 98:8) which are the proper greeting for a king upon his accession. See on Psalm 47:1; Psalm 47:5-8; Psalm 95:1-2; and cp. 1 Samuel 10:24; 1 Kings 1:39; 2 Kings 11:12; 2 Kings 11:14.

Break forth and sing for joy is from Isaiah 52:9 : cp. Psalm 44:23; Psalm 49:13; Psalm 54:1.

4–6. Let all the earth salute its King.

5. Make melody unto Jehovah with the harp:

With the harp and the sound of melody.

Cp. Isaiah 51:3.

6. The ‘trumpet’ was a straight metal tube, like the sacred trumpets represented on the arch of Titus: the ‘cornet’ was originally a ram’s horn, perhaps in later times a metal instrument of the same shape. See the illustrations in Driver’s Joel and Amos in this Series, p. 144.

7. Let the sea thunder, as Psalm 96:11 b.

the world &c.] From Psalm 24:1.

7–9. Let universal Nature swell the chorus of rejoicing.

8. Let the rivers clap their hands;

Let the mountains sing for Joy together.

Cp. Isaiah 55:12; and for the prosopopoeia, Habakkuk 3:10.

9. Cp. Psalm 96:13.