Psalms 98 Overview
The psalm celebrates God's marvelous victory and remembered covenant mercy to Israel, calls all earth and instruments to praise, and ends with creation rejoicing before the righteous Judge.
Before you read Psalms 98
Coming from
Psalm 97 centered on the reigning lord is exalted above idols and false gods. Psalms is an anthology rather than a continuous chronological story, so the connection here is canonical and thematic.
In this chapter
The psalm celebrates God's marvelous victory and remembered covenant mercy to Israel, calls all earth and instruments to praise, and ends with creation rejoicing before the righteous Judge.
Leads into
Psalm 99 turns to the holy king reigns from zion, continuing the Psalter’s arranged movement without requiring that the two psalms describe consecutive historical events.
Key understandingExplore deeper
Psalm 98 belongs to Book IV of the Psalter (Psalms 90–106). Its combination of Israel's covenant mercy and worldwide praise anticipates the biblical pattern of blessing reaching the nations.
Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper
Central truth
A new song for revealed salvation and worldwide judgment.
Praise truth
In Psalm 98, praise responds to God’s character and deeds and draws the worshipper beyond self-preoccupation.
Mission truth
In Psalm 98, god’s purpose is wide enough to summon peoples beyond Israel to know and praise Him.
Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper
Praise connection
1 Chronicles 16 provides a major Old Testament model of public praise for God’s works. This connection helps frame Psalm 98.
Mission connection
Romans 15 gathers Old Testament texts to show the nations glorifying God for mercy. This connection helps frame Psalm 98.
What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper
Keep praise in context
The praise practices in Psalm 98 show the breadth of Israel’s worship; not every listed physical expression becomes a universal church requirement.
Keep mission in context
The nations in Psalm 98 are real peoples summoned under God’s rule; avoid turning them into purely symbolic inner experiences.
Read Psalms 98 watching for…
new song marvellous things.
remembered mercy Israel.
all earth noise.
harps trumpets.
judge world righteousness.