Psalm 98 1

Psalm 98:1 kjv

O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

Psalm 98:1 nkjv

A Psalm. Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.

Psalm 98:1 niv

A psalm. 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.

Psalm 98:1 esv

Oh 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.

Psalm 98:1 nlt

Sing a new song to the LORD,
for he has done wonderful deeds.
His right hand has won a mighty victory;
his holy arm has shown his saving power!

Psalm 98 verses

Psalm 98 1 Meaning

Psalm 98:1 calls for an exuberant and novel form of praise to the LORD because of His wondrous deeds of deliverance. The verse highlights God’s sovereign power, depicted by His "right hand" and "holy arm," which have single-handedly accomplished salvation, demonstrating His unique might and unblemished character in bringing about redemption.

Psalm 98 1 Context

Psalm 98 is one of the "Enthronement Psalms" (Psalms 93, 96-99), which celebrate Yahweh's reign as king. These psalms often share themes of God's universal sovereignty, His righteous judgment, and His powerful acts of salvation. Psalm 98, specifically, builds upon Psalm 96's call to the nations to acknowledge God, extending the invitation to universal praise for His recent, demonstrative acts of deliverance. The historical context implies either a post-exilic celebration of God's faithfulness in restoring His people, a prayer for future eschatological victory, or a general recognition of God's ongoing, decisive interventions in human history. The psalm stands in stark contrast to the beliefs in powerless idols and emphasizes the active, interventionist nature of YHWH, the living God, whose might surpasses any pagan deity.

Psalm 98 1 Word analysis

• Oh sing (`Shiru`): An imperative command, not merely an invitation. It signifies joyful, communal vocal expression and carries the nuance of declaring God's praise. It's a spontaneous outpouring prompted by His actions.
• to the LORD (`laYHWH`): Refers to the covenant God of Israel, YHWH (Yahweh), the personal, relational, self-existent God who reveals Himself and acts in history. It underscores that this praise is specifically directed to the one true God, setting Him apart from any false gods.
• a new song (`shir chadash`): This is not just a recently composed song, but a song for a new act or a new revelation of God's power and character. It reflects a transformed experience or a fresh understanding of God's ongoing marvelous deeds, which warrant new and unceasing praise. It implies moving beyond past ways of understanding God to embracing a deeper, more profound awareness of His nature and actions. It may also imply a new covenant, a new epoch of God's redemptive history.
• for (`ki`): A conjunction indicating reason or cause. The reason for the new song is explicitly stated: God's preceding actions.
• he has done (`asah`): Completed action, signifying the effectiveness and certainty of God's work. It points to real, tangible events.
• marvelous things (`nifla'ot`): Refers to extraordinary, astonishing, wonderful, or miraculous acts that exceed human capability or understanding. These are not merely good things but acts demonstrating divine power and sovereignty, often associated with redemption (e.g., Exodus) or future deliverance. It also acts as a polemic against pagan deities who are inanimate and incapable of such deeds.
• his right hand (`yemino`): A powerful anthropomorphism. The right hand symbolizes God's active strength, power, victory, authority, and effective action. In the ancient Near East, the right hand was seen as the primary source of power in battle or action.
• and his holy arm (`u’z’roa kodsho`): "Arm" (`zeroa`) denotes God's irresistible power, especially in executing judgment or bringing deliverance. "Holy" (`kodsho`) signifies that this power is not only mighty but also morally pure, set apart, and dedicated to righteous ends. It underscores that God’s actions are righteous, untainted, and morally perfect.
• have worked salvation (`hoshi'a lo`): The verb means "to save, deliver, bring victory." "Salvation" (`yeshu'ah`) refers to deliverance, victory, well-being, or preservation from danger. The phrase "for him" or "for himself" (`lo`) emphasizes that God's acts of salvation are not solely for humanity but also to manifest His own glory, uphold His name, and demonstrate His divine power and righteous rule in the world. It means God accomplished this on His own accord and by His own inherent power, without assistance.

• Oh sing to the LORD a new song: This phrase emphasizes an immediate, fresh, and enthusiastic declaration of praise, acknowledging the LORD's ongoing, dynamic relationship with His creation. It’s a responsive worship to an ever-active God, demanding a response beyond conventional or habitual praise.
• for he has done marvelous things: This is the justification and catalyst for the new song. The 'marvelous things' are the divine deeds that stand out as supernatural interventions in history, validating God's sovereign power and prompting a profound response of awe and gratitude.
• his right hand and his holy arm: These parallel poetic phrases powerfully depict God’s self-sufficient and invincible strength. It’s an assertion of God's direct, unassisted, and pure execution of His will, especially in deliverance, reinforcing His singularity as the only powerful deity.
• have worked salvation for him: This climactic declaration highlights that salvation (deliverance, victory) originates from and is achieved by God Himself, for His own glory and redemptive purposes. It points to a complete, divinely orchestrated rescue that upholds His sovereignty and establishes His rule.

Psalm 98 1 Bonus section

The concept of a "new song" (shir chadash) is often tied to an eschatological hope, signifying praise for God's ultimate and final victory and the establishment of His righteous kingdom. It anticipates the fullness of God's redemption, whether manifested in Christ's first coming, His redemptive work on the cross, His resurrection and ascension, or His ultimate return and eternal reign. The "marvelous things" God has done can be understood not only historically (like the Exodus) but also prototypically of the greatest act of salvation through Jesus Christ. The "right hand" is frequently linked to Christ's exaltation and His active intercession in the New Testament. This verse therefore resonates not just with ancient Israel's experience but with the broader narrative of God's redemptive plan for all humanity.

Psalm 98 1 Commentary

Psalm 98:1 issues an emphatic command to universal praise, calling for a "new song" specifically directed to YHWH, the covenant God. This "new song" is not simply a new composition, but a spontaneous, vibrant response to fresh, profound, or newly perceived revelations of God’s powerful interventions. The psalmist grounds this urgent call in the undeniable fact that God "has done marvelous things"—supernatural, awe-inspiring acts that transcend human capabilities. These deeds fundamentally change the context for praise, moving from past blessings to new and astounding deliverances. The verse particularly magnifies God's omnipotence through the metaphors of "His right hand and His holy arm," asserting that these actions, which worked salvation, were executed solely by His own sovereign, pure, and irresistible power. This emphasizes that redemption and victory are entirely God's work, accomplished by Him, and ultimately serving His own glorious purpose and reign. It challenges any reliance on human strength or idolatrous trust, asserting YHWH as the sole author of true deliverance and calling all creation to acknowledge this magnificent reality.