Psalm 98 is an uplifting psalm that invites us to celebrate the Lord’s victory and justice through song and worship. It speaks of praise to God for His work of salvation in widening circles — firstly Israel, then all the earth, and finally all creation. It is the fifth psalm in a group of six known as the Enthronement Psalms, which celebrate the reign of God as sovereign king over all humanity and, indeed, over all creation.

It also calls for a new song, a point that is often emphasized in other psalms. It seems even in Old Testament times, there was a group of people who wanted to hang onto old songs, while on the other hand there was a group who wanted something fresh and contemporary — a debate we are all too familiar with thousands of years later.  

Psalm 98 is divided into three parts: praise to the Lord because of mighty deeds in the past (verses 1–3), praise to the Lord, the ruling King in the present (verses 4–6), and a call to nature to also praise the Lord who will come in the future to set things right in the world (verses 7–9).

This study will delve into the key themes of Psalm 98, exploring how it invites us to respond to God’s greatness with joy and reverence, as we aim to deepen our understanding of this rich text and its relevance for our lives today.

Background

Psalm 98 is part of the collection of psalms known as the “Psalms of Praise” and is one of seven that were used at festivals to celebrate God as King. It belongs to a tradition of songs celebrating God’s reign and His deliverance of His people. The psalmist likely wrote it after experiencing or anticipating a significant act of divine intervention or salvation. The psalm reflects a time of renewed confidence and joy in God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. “There are striking parallels between the first part of Psalm 98 and Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:4–55), which may mean that the mother of Jesus had the psalm in mind as she composed her hymn and that she rightly saw that the promises of the psalm were to be fulfilled in the spiritual victories to be achieved by Jesus Christ.”

Analysis of Psalm 98

“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” – Psalm 98:1–3 (NIV)

A New Song: The gathered people of God are invited to sing a new song because the Lord “has done marvelous things.” This call is significant because a “new song” represents a fresh response to God’s ongoing acts of goodness and salvation. The idea of a new song is found in many places in Scripture and means there should be something fresh and dynamic about worship and the songs we sing to God.

Marvelous Things: “For he has done marvelous things” emphasizes the extraordinary nature of God’s actions. The psalmist acknowledges that God’s salvation is not just an ordinary act but a display of divine power and grace. The new song has a reason: to celebrate the amazing works of God. It isn’t empty praise or making music simply for the sake of music. The worship is connected to life experience of His marvelous things.

Revealing His Righteousness: The psalmist notes that God has “revealed his righteousness to the nations.” This indicates that God’s salvation is not limited to Israel but is a universal proclamation of His justice and truth. It outlines God’s desire for all nations to recognize His sovereign rule.  

Remembering His Love and Faithfulness: God’s love and faithfulness to Israel are key themes to this passage. This remembrance reassures the faithful of God’s consistent care and promises. It also emphasizes that God’s salvation is grounded in His enduring covenant with His people.

In our lives, we are encouraged to continually praise God with “new songs” — fresh expressions of gratitude and worship. Recognizing the marvelous things God has done in our personal lives and in the world encourages us to keep our worship vibrant and relevant. Reflecting on God’s righteousness and faithfulness can deepen our trust in His promises and inspire us to share His salvation with others.

Bringing praise with music

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn— shout for joy before the Lord, the King.” – Psalm 98:4–6 (NIV)

Thinking big: Verses 4–6 indicate who is called upon to praise the Lord for his marvelous deeds. Here the psalmist is thinking big.

Universal Joy: The psalmist extends the invitation for praise to “all the earth,” indicating that God’s sovereignty and salvation are universal in scope. As the great news of God’s marvelous things goes to the ends of the earth, it is right for all the earth to praise God.

Expressions of Praise: The psalmist describes various forms of musical expression: harp, singing, trumpets, and ram’s horn. These diverse forms symbolize the richness and fullness of worship. The use of music in worship reflects the joy and excitement that should accompany our praise.

Shouting for Joy: The repeated emphasis on “shout for joy” highlights the exuberance and enthusiasm that should characterize our worship. 

Make music to the Lord with the harp: This can be understood in two senses: firstly that musical instruments should accompany our singing, and secondly that the instruments themselves sing to the Lord a song of praise.

Our worship should be inclusive and enthusiastic, reflecting the joy of knowing and serving God. We can use various forms of expression — whether through music, art, or personal testimony — to celebrate God’s greatness. Embracing the diversity of worship can enrich our spiritual experience and encourage others to join in the praise.

Majestic praise from all creation

“Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.” – Psalm 98:7–9 (NIV)

Creation’s Praise: Like verses 4–6, this last section again indicates who should be joining in praise to the Lord; this circle is enlarged even further to the fish and whales of the seas, and even the rivers and mountains — the entirety of creation is invited to participate in the praise of God!

Judgment in Righteousness: The psalmist highlights that God will come to “judge the earth.” This judgment is portrayed as righteous and fair, ensuring that God’s rule will be just. This aspect of God’s nature reassures us that justice will ultimately prevail.

Equity for All Peoples: The promise of judgment “with equity” emphasizes that God’s justice is impartial and fair, ensuring that everyone receives what they deserve according to His righteous standards.

The understanding of God as a righteous judge encourages us to live justly and fairly in our own lives. It also invites us to trust in God’s ultimate justice and fairness, especially when confronted with injustice in the world. Our worship should reflect our trust in God’s righteous rule and our commitment to living according to His standards.

In summary, Psalm 98 invites us to celebrate and worship God with joy, creativity, and an understanding of His universal reign and righteousness. By recognizing God’s marvelous deeds and His justice, we are encouraged to respond with enthusiastic praise. As Salvationists and Christians, we are called to create new songs and to continue to update old traditions to meet the needs and tastes of a new generation.

As we study Psalm 98, let us embrace its call to worship with new songs, diverse expressions of joy, and a deep trust in God’s righteous judgment. Let this psalm inspire us to live lives centered on praise, trust, and a commitment to justice, reflecting the greatness of our God in everything we do. 

AN OPEN INVITATION

You can receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ by praying something like the following:

Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I need Your forgiveness and grace. I believe that Christ paid the penalty for my sin, and He died in my place, and He rose from the dead. I invite Jesus Christ to come into my life as Savior. Thank You for saving me from my sin and making me Your child. Help me to grow and learn how to serve You. Amen.

This article was originally titled “A Song of Joy and Praise” in the July 2025 issue of The War Cry. | ChatkarenStudio via Getty Images