---
title: "Clarke"
description: "In the Hebrew this is simply termed מזמור mizmor, a Psalm. In the Chaldee, A prophetic Psalm. In the Vulgate, Septuagint, AEthiopic, A Psalm of David. In"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms/98"
---

In the *Hebrew* this is simply termed מזמור *mizmor*, a Psalm. In the *Chaldee, A prophetic Psalm*. In the *Vulgate, Septuagint,* *AEthiopic, A Psalm of David*. In the *Syriac* it is attributed to *David*, and stated to be composed concerning the "Restoration of the Israelites from Egypt; but is to be understood spiritually of the advent of the Messiah, and the vocation of the Gentiles to the Christian faith."
The Psalm in its subject is very like the *ninety-sixth*. It was probably written to celebrate the deliverance from the Babylonish captivity; but is to be understood prophetically of the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ.
Verse [Psalms 98:1](../../../kjv/psalms/98/1). ***A new song*** — A song of *excellence*. Give him the *highest* praise. See on [Psalms 96:1](../../../kjv/psalms/96/1).
***Hath done marvellous things*** — נפלאות *niphlaoth*, "miracles, " the same word as in [Psalms 96:3](../../../kjv/psalms/96/3), where we translate it *wonders*.
***His holy arm*** — His Almighty power, -
***Hath gotten him the victory.*** — הושיעה לו *hoshiah llo*, "hath made salvation to himself."

Verse [Psalms 98:2](../../../kjv/psalms/98/2). ***Made known his salvation*** — He has delivered his people in such a way as to show that it was supernatural, and that their confidence in the unseen God was not in vain.

Verse [Psalms 98:3](../../../kjv/psalms/98/3). ***He hath remembered his mercy*** — His gracious promises to their forefathers.
***And his truth*** — Faithfully accomplishing what he had promised. All this was fulfilled under the Gospel.

Verse [Psalms 98:5](../../../kjv/psalms/98/5). ***With - the voice of a Psalm.*** — I think זמרה *zimrah*, which we translate *Psalm*, means either a *musical instrument*, or a *species of ode* modulated by different voices.

Verse [Psalms 98:6](../../../kjv/psalms/98/6). ***With trumpets*** — חצצרות *chatsotseroth*. Some kind of tubular instruments, of the form and management of which we know nothing.
***And sound of cornet*** — שופר *shophar*, the word commonly used for what we call *trumpet*.

Verse [Psalms 98:7](../../../kjv/psalms/98/7). ***Let the sea roar*** — These are either fine poetic images; or, if we take them as referring to the promulgation of the Gospel, by the *sea* all maritime countries and commercial nations may be intended.

Verse [Psalms 98:8](../../../kjv/psalms/98/8). ***Let the floods clap*****their*****hands*** — נהרות *neharoth*, properly *the rivers*-possibly meaning immense *continents*, where only *large rivers* are found; thus including *inland* people, as well as *maritime nations*, and those on the sea-coasts generally; as in those early times little more than the *coasts* of the sea were known. The Gospel shall be preached in the most secluded nations of the world.
***Let the hills be joyful*** — All the inhabitants of *rocky* and *mountainous* countries.

Verse [Psalms 98:9](../../../kjv/psalms/98/9). ***For he cometh to judge the earth*** — He comes to make known his salvation, and show his merciful designs to all the children of men.
***With righteousness shall he judge the world*** — His word shall not be confined; all shall know him, from the least to the greatest: he shall show that he is loving to every man, and hateth nothing that he hath made. See the notes on [Psalms 96:10-13](../../../kjv/psalms/96/10-13). There is a very great similarity between this Psalm and the Song or *Magnificat* of the Blessed Virgin. I shall note some of the parallels, chiefly from Bishop Nicholson.
This Psalm is an evident prophecy of Christ's coming to save the world; and what is here *foretold* by David is, in the Blessed *Virgin's* song, chanted forth as being *accomplished*. David is the *Voice*, and Mary is the *Echo*.
This Psalm has the *two* following parts: -
I. An *exhortation* to sing to the Lord, and the *reasons* of it, [Psalms 98:1-3](../../../kjv/psalms/98/1-3).
II. A *new invitation* to praise him, and that it be *universal*, [Psalms 98:4-9](../../../kjv/psalms/98/4-9).
I. He calls upon them to praise God: 1. *Sing* - a *song* or hymn, to *the Lord* - and to none other. *A new song* - a song of excellency.
For this exhortation and command he gives the reasons. His work was a work of power and holiness.
1. "He hath done marvellous things." He has opened his greatness and goodness in the work of redemption. What *marvels* has not Christ done? 1. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost. 2. Born of a virgin. 3. Healed all manner of diseases. 4. Fed thousands with a few loaves and fishes. 5. Raised the dead. 6. And what was more *marvellous*, died himself. 7. Rose again by his own power. 8. Ascended to heaven. 9. Sent down the Holy Ghost. 10. And made his apostles and their testimony the instruments of enlightening, and ultimately converting, the world.
2. "His right hand and his holy arm hath got him the victory." 1. It was all *his own work*, whatever were the *instruments*; for without his energy they could do nothing. 2. It was his *holy* *arm* - no *bloody sword*, but a *holy hand*, to do a *holy work*. 3. "He got himself the victory" over sin, *Satan, death*, and *hell*.
3. This salvation was *made known*: - 1. By *himself* to the *Jews*. 2. By his *apostles* to *all nations*.
4. This salvation has been *applied*. 1. He hath showed his *righteousness* - his method of *justifying sinners* through his own blood, and *sanctifying* them by his own Spirit. 2. This he hath *openly* showed, plainly revealing the whole in his Gospel. 3. He has done this in the *sight of the heathen*, calling them to be partakers of the same salvation promised to Abraham and to his posterity, both *Jews* and *Gentiles*.
5. That which moved him to do this; his *mercy*, and *truth*: 1. "He hath remembered his mercy." This mercy was to the *house of Israel*, and through them to the *Gentiles*; for the Gentiles were the *first* in the promise and covenant. There was no *Jew* when the covenant was made with Abraham: it was made with him while he was yet in uncircumcision; consequently the *Gentiles*, the *whole human race*, were originally included in that covenant. The descendants of Jacob were made depositaries of it for a season; but they, not having benefited by it, were rejected, and the salvation of Christ was given to the Gentiles, for whom it was originally intended, and who have kept the faith, and are daily profiting by it. 2. It is called *mercy*; for it was the merest mercy that said: "The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head." 3. He *remembered* this, it was never out of the Divine mind; "Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." 4. As this mercy was intended for every human soul; so it is here *prophectically* said: "All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God." This Gospel has been preached, is now in the course of being preached, and shortly will be preached to every people under heaven.
II. A new invitation to praise God; and to do this in every possible way.
1. "Make a joyful noise." Jump for joy, because of this most glorious news.
2. As *all* are interested in it, so let *all* do it: "All the earth."
3. In all possible ways. With *harp, psaltery, trumpet, cornet*; with *vocal, chordal*, and *pneumatic* music. But it is the *joyful* music, the *heart* music, which the Lord seeks.
4. "Before the Lord." In his immediate presence. Let all be sincere, pure, and holy. Remember the eye of the Lord is upon you: do not draw near with your *lips, pipes*, or *stringed* instruments, while your *hearts* are far from him.
5. And to make the music full, as if the inanimate creation had *ears* and *hands* to give an *applause* at the relation, and *feet* to *dance* because of it, he says: "Let the sea roar, the floods clap their hands, and the hills be joyful together."
And for all this he gives a reason, with which he concludes: "For he cometh to judge the earth;" which may be referred to his *first* and *second* coming.
1. If to the *first*, then the sense is - Let all creatures rejoice because he comes to *judge*, that is, to enlighten, order, and govern the world. For this purpose he was incarnated, suffered, died, and rose again for the redemption of mankind; and has sent his holy *Gospel* to enlighten the world, and his *Spirit* to apply its truths to the hearts of men.
2. If we consider this as referring to his *last coming*, then let all men rejoice, as he comes to destroy evil, to root out incorrigible sinners, and to make a new heaven and a new earth.
3. All this shall be done with that rectitude of judgment, that there shall be nothing crooked, oblique, or savouring of iniquity in it: "For he shall judge the world, and the people with equity."

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