A New Song for New Mercies
Psalm 98:1 begins with an invitation to sing a new song to the Lord. This reflects the fresh mercies and continuous acts of salvation God provides. It encourages believers to continually renew their worship and gratitude.

God's Marvelous Deeds
The psalm highlights God's marvelous things and His right hand and holy arm that have worked salvation (Psalm 98:1). This emphasizes God's active role in history and His power in delivering His people.

Universal Recognition of God's Salvation
Verses 2-3 declare that the Lord has made His salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations. This points to the universal scope of God's redemptive plan, extending beyond Israel to all peoples.

Joyful Worship
The psalm is filled with expressions of joy and music, urging all creation to join in praise (Psalm 98:4-6). This underscores the importance of joyful worship as a response to God's goodness.

The Righteous Judge
Psalm 98:9 concludes with the assurance that the Lord will judge the world with righteousness and equity. This provides hope and assurance that God's justice will ultimately prevail.Renew Your Worship
Consider how you can incorporate new expressions of worship in your daily life, reflecting on God's ongoing work in your life.

Share God's Salvation
Be intentional about sharing the message of God's salvation with others, recognizing that His righteousness is for all nations.

Embrace Joyful Worship
Engage in worship with joy and enthusiasm, whether through singing, playing instruments, or other forms of praise.

Trust in God's Justice
In times of injustice or uncertainty, find comfort in the knowledge that God is a righteous judge who will bring about true justice.1. The LORD (YHWH)
The central figure in Psalm 98, the LORD is praised for His marvelous deeds, salvation, and righteousness. The Hebrew root for LORD is "YHWH," which is the sacred name of God, often rendered as "Yahweh" or "Jehovah." The psalm celebrates His kingship and His role as the righteous judge of the earth.

2. All the Earth
This refers to the collective creation, including all people and nature, called to make a joyful noise to the LORD. The Hebrew term "kol ha'aretz" encompasses the entirety of the earth and its inhabitants, highlighting the universal call to worship.

3. The House of Israel
While not explicitly named in this psalm, the context of God's salvation and faithfulness to Israel is implied. The Hebrew people are often the primary audience in the Psalms, celebrating God's covenantal relationship with them.

4. The Seas and Rivers
These elements of creation are personified and called to join in the praise of God. The Hebrew words "yam" (sea) and "nahar" (river) symbolize the natural world's participation in worship.

5. The Mountains
Also personified, the mountains are depicted as rejoicing before the LORD. The Hebrew word "harim" refers to these natural elevations, emphasizing the grandeur and majesty of creation in response to God's rule.

In summary, Psalm 98 focuses on the LORD as the primary "person" and the collective response of creation, including the earth, seas, rivers, and mountains, in worship and praise.1. The Earth
The psalm speaks of the earth as a whole, emphasizing the universal scope of God's salvation and the call for all the earth to make a joyful noise to the Lord. The Hebrew word used here is "אֶרֶץ" (erets), which generally means land or earth.

2. The World
The world is mentioned in the context of all its inhabitants being called to join in praise. The Hebrew term "תֵּבֵל" (tebel) is used, which often refers to the inhabited world or the earth in its fullness.1. A New Song for the LORD
The psalm begins with a call to "Sing to the LORD a new song" (Psalm 98:1). This reflects the Hebrew word "שִׁיר" (shir), meaning song, emphasizing a fresh expression of worship due to God's marvelous deeds.

2. The LORD's Marvelous Deeds
The psalmist declares that the LORD "has done marvelous things" (Psalm 98:1). The Hebrew word "נִפְלָאוֹת" (nifla'ot) indicates extraordinary acts that inspire awe.

3. Victory through His Right Hand
The psalm notes that "His right hand and holy arm have worked salvation for Him" (Psalm 98:1). The "right hand" symbolizes power and authority in Hebrew culture.

4. The LORD's Salvation Made Known
It is proclaimed that "The LORD has made His salvation known" (Psalm 98:2). The Hebrew word "יְשׁוּעָה" (yeshu'ah) refers to deliverance or victory.

5. Revelation of Righteousness
The psalm states that "He has revealed His righteousness to the nations" (Psalm 98:2). The Hebrew "צֶדֶק" (tsedeq) signifies justice and moral rightness.

6. Remembrance of Love and Faithfulness
The psalmist affirms that "He has remembered His love and faithfulness to the house of Israel" (Psalm 98:3). The Hebrew "חֶסֶד" (chesed) and "אֱמוּנָה" (emunah) denote steadfast love and faithfulness.

7. All the Ends of the Earth Witness Salvation
It is declared that "all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God" (Psalm 98:3). This emphasizes the universal scope of God's deliverance.

8. Joyful Noise to the LORD
The psalm calls for a "joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth" (Psalm 98:4). The Hebrew "רוּעַ" (rua') means to shout or make a loud noise, indicating exuberant praise.

9. Musical Praise with Instruments
The psalm encourages praise with "the harp and the sound of singing" (Psalm 98:5), and "trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn" (Psalm 98:6). These instruments were integral to Hebrew worship.

10. The Sea and World Rejoice
The psalmist invites the sea and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it to resound with praise (Psalm 98:7).

11. Rivers and Mountains Sing for Joy
The rivers are called to "clap their hands" and the mountains to "sing together for joy" (Psalm 98:8), using vivid imagery to depict nature's participation in worship.

12. The LORD Comes to Judge the Earth
The psalm concludes with the declaration that "He comes to judge the earth" (Psalm 98:9). The Hebrew "שָׁפַט" (shaphat) means to judge or govern, highlighting God's righteous rule.Isaiah 42:10
Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise from the ends of the earth. This verse echoes the call to sing a new song, emphasizing the global scope of worship.

Revelation 15:3-4
And they sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: 'Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty.' This passage connects the themes of God's marvelous deeds and worship in heaven.

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. This verse aligns with the psalm's emphasis on God's salvation being revealed to all. Thanksgiving for Salvation
Thank God for His marvelous deeds and the salvation He has provided through Jesus Christ.

Joyful Worship
Pray for a heart that is continually filled with joy and gratitude, leading to authentic and exuberant worship.

Boldness in Sharing the Gospel
Ask for courage and opportunities to share the message of God's salvation with others.

Trust in God's Justice
Pray for faith to trust in God's righteous judgment, especially in situations where justice seems delayed or absent.

1. How does the imagery used in Psalm 98 enhance your understanding of God's greatness?

2. What does it mean to "sing a new song" to the Lord? How can this apply to your personal worship?

3. How does the Psalmist describe the salvation of the Lord? In what ways have you personally experienced this salvation?

4. How is God's righteousness displayed to all nations? How can you show God's righteousness in your interactions with others?

5. The Psalmist refers to the joy of creation in praising the Lord. How does nature's praise inspire your own worship?

6. How can we join the earth in making a "joyful noise" to the Lord in our daily life?

7. Reflect on the statement: "The Lord is coming to judge the earth." How does this statement affect your view of justice?

8. How does the assurance of God's righteous judgment comfort you? How can it guide your decisions and actions?

9. In the context of this Psalm, how is God's love displayed toward Israel? How have you experienced God's love and faithfulness?

10. How does this Psalm affect your understanding of the interconnectedness of all creation in worshiping God?

11. How can we practically demonstrate joy in God's salvation like the seas, rivers, and hills?

12. How does the final verse "He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with fairness" impact your perception of God's justice in the world?

13. How does the Psalm's depiction of God as both a righteous Judge and a loving Savior influence your relationship with Him?

14. How can we apply the themes of praise and worship from this Psalm in our communities?

15. How does this Psalm inspire you to proclaim God's salvation and righteousness to others?

16. In a world often filled with unrighteousness, how can we maintain a heart of worship like the Psalmist?

17. How does the joy expressed in this Psalm guide your approach to handling challenges in life?

18. Reflecting on this Psalm, how can you actively seek to witness God's marvelous deeds in your everyday life?

19. How does the joyful celebration in this Psalm inspire you to spread the message of God's love and righteousness to those around you?

20. Reflecting on Psalm 98, how would you describe the character of God? How does this affect your personal faith journey?