Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 98

O sing to the Lord a new song - Compare Psalms 33:3; Psalms 96:1. For he has done marvelous things. These are things suited to excite wonder or to fill the mind with astonishment. See Psalms 77:14; Psalms 86:10.

His right hand - The instrument by which we execute any purpose. Compare Isaiah 59:16; Isaiah 63:5.

And his holy arm - The arm of his holiness; that is, his arm put forth in a righteous cause, or vindicating that which is right.

Has gotten him the victory - Literally, “has worked salvation for him”: for himself, or in his own cause. The victory—the salvation—was really in defense of his own government, in maintaining his own authority against those who set themselves in opposition to it.

What is here said may be applied to all that God does. It is really in his own cause, in order to maintain the principles of his own administration.

The Lord has made known his salvation - (See the notes at Isaiah 52:10). This does not mean that he had merely “proclaimed” his salvation, or his willingness to save, but that he had shown his salvation—his power to save—by some public act.

What the particular act referred to here was, it is impossible now to ascertain. Such acts, however, have often been performed, as when he delivered his people out of Egypt, when he restored the Hebrews from the Babylonian captivity, and whenever he interposed in their behalf in times of danger. He has done it also in the gift of a Savior; he does it in every revival of true religion; he does it in the salvation of a single sinner.

His righteousness - His righteous character; his faithfulness to his people. Whenever he interposes, it is on behalf of what is right; and such interposition, therefore, is an illustration of his character as just. It is in this way we learn that his character is that of a just God.

Has he openly shown - Margin, as in Hebrew, “revealed.” He has disclosed it, or made it manifest.

In the sight of the heathen - The nations; or, so that the nations could see it: that is, the nations outside of Palestine. His acts were so public—so remarkable—that surrounding nations could learn what was his true character. Thus it was when he delivered his people from Egyptian bondage; and thus also frequently in the history of his people.

He hath remembered his mercy - Compare the notes on Luke 1:54-55 and Luke 1:72, where this passage in the Psalms was likely referred to by Mary and Zacharias. The idea is that God had called to mind his promise of mercy to his people; that he had not forgotten it; that he had kept his word.

And his truth - He has kept his promise; he has shown that he is a God of truth.

Toward the house of Israel - Toward his people.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God - This appears to have been quoted from Isaiah 52:10. See the notes on that passage. The resemblance in the language is so strong as to make it probable that the psalm was composed after the time of Isaiah, and likely intended for use (as remarked above) in the dedication of the temple after the captivity. The whole psalm would be appropriate to celebrate that deliverance; while, at the same time, like the language in Isaiah, it would be suited to celebrate a higher deliverance—under the Messiah—of which the earlier deliverance was an emblem.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord—by singing; by instruments of music. See the notes at Psalms 95:1.

All the earth—all lands. The event is of sufficient importance to be celebrated by all nations. It is a matter of universal exultation and joy.

Make a loud noise—The word used here—פצח pâtsach—properly means to break in pieces; then, to break forth as a shout of triumph or joy, as if the joy could no longer be confined or repressed. See the notes at Isaiah 14:7.

Besides the one we are considering, the word occurs only in the following places, in all of which it is rendered “break forth”: Isaiah 14:7; Isaiah 44:23; Isaiah 49:13; Isaiah 52:9; Isaiah 54:1; Isaiah 55:12—(except in Micah 3:3, where it is rendered “break”). It is expressive of irrepressible joy.

Rejoice and sing praise—This very combination of words, “Break forth into joy, sing together”—the same words in Hebrew as here—occurs in Isaiah 52:9, showing, as above remarked, that the psalm was composed after the times of Isaiah, and probably had reference to the same event.

Sing to the Lord with the harp - A song or psalm accompanied by the harp. On the harp. See the notes at Isaiah 5:12.

And the voice of a psalm - The voice in singing; a musical voice. Let it not be mere instrumental music, but let that be accompanied with the voice uttering intelligible sounds or words. The only proper use of instrumental music in the worship of God is to deepen the impression which the words are adapted to make; to secure a better influence of truth on the heart.