Psalms 98:9

98:4-9 Let all the children of men rejoice in the setting up the kingdom of Christ, for all may benefit by it. The different orders of rational creatures in the universe, seem to be described in figurative language in the reign of the great Messiah. The kingdom of Christ will be a blessing to the whole creation. We expect his second coming to begin his glorious reign. Then shall heaven and earth rejoice, and the joy of the redeemed shall be full. But sin and its dreadful effects will not be utterly done away, till the Lord come to judge the world in righteousness. Seeing then that we look for such things, let us give diligence that we may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Before the Lord, for he cometh to judge the earth,.... See Gill on Psalm 96:13 , with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity; both at his first and second coming, and during the intermediate time; see the note as before. The only difference is, that in Psalm 96:13, it is said that he shall judge the people "with his truth", here "with equity", or "uprightnesses" (f); in the most upright manner, according to the strictest rules of justice and judgment; see Isaiah 11:3. (f) "in rectitudinibus", Montanus, Michaelis.

Verse 9. - For he cometh to judge the earth. Nature, inanimate and animate, may well be asked to rejoice when God comes to judge the earth - since he is sure to judge it aright. With righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity. "God by his righteous judgment will bring the whole earth from a state of sorrow into a state of salvation and joy" (Hengstenberg). Psalm 98:9

4-6. make a loud noise—or, "burst forth" (Isa 14:7; 44:23). before … King—hail Him as your sovereign; and while, with every aid to demonstrate zeal and joy, intelligent creatures are invited to praise, as in Ps 96:11-13, inanimate nature is also summoned to honor Him who triumphs and rules in righteousness and equity.

Before the Lord, for he cometh to judge the earth ... - This verse is essentially the same as Psalm 96:13 . See the notes at that verse. The psalm calls for universal praise. The very "reading" of the psalm - so joyous - so jubilant - so animated - so exulting - is suited to awaken the mind to praise; to rouse it to thankfulness; to fill it with joy. One cannot read the psalm without being a happier man; without being lifted above the world; without lofty views of God; without a feeling that he is worthy of this universal praise; without recognizing that we are in a world where the mind should be joyful; that we are under the dominion of a God whose reign should fill the mind with gladness.

Here, too, it is all an echo of the earlier language of Psalms and prophets: Psalm 98:7 equals Psalm 96:11 ; Psalm 98:7 like Psalm 24:1 ; Psalm 98:8 after Isaiah 55:12 (where we find מחא כּף instead of the otherwise customary תּקע כּף, Psalm 47:2 ; or הכּה כּף, 2 Kings 11:12 , is said of the trees of the field); Psalm 98:9 - Psalm 96:13 , cf. Psalm 36:10 . In the bringing in of nature to participate in the joy of mankind, the clapping rivers (נהרות) are original to this Psalm: the rivers cast up high waves, which flow into one another like clapping hands; (Note: Luther renders: "the water-floods exult" (frohlocken); and Eychman's Vocabularius predicantium explains plaudere by "to exult (frohlocken) for joy, to smite the hands together prae gaudio;" cf. Luther's version of Ezekiel 21:17.) cf. Habakkuk 3:10, where the abyss of the sea lifts up its hands on high, i.e., causes its waves to run mountain-high.

[Bible] 97:1. A psalm for David himself. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: because he hath done wonderful things. His right hand hath wrought for him salvation, and his arm is holy. 97:2. The Lord hath made known his salvation: he hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles. 97:3. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 97:4. Sing joyfully to God, all the earth; make melody, rejoice and sing. 97:5. Sing praise to the Lord on the harp, on the harp, and with the voice of a psalm: 97:6. With long trumpets, and sound of cornet. Make a joyful noise before the Lord our king: 97:7. Let the sea be moved and the fullness thereof: the world and they that dwell therein. 97:8. The rivers shall clap their hands, the mountains shall rejoice together 97:9. At the presence of the Lord: because he cometh to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with justice, and the people with equity. Psalms Chapter 98 Dominus regnavit. The reign of the Lord in Sion: that is, of Christ in his church. 98:1. A psalm for David himself. The Lord hath reigned, let the people be angry: he that sitteth on the cherubims: let the earth be moved. Let the people be angry... Though many enemies rage, and the whole earth be stirred up to oppose the reign of Christ, he shall still prevail. 98:2. The lord is great in Sion, and high above all people. 98:3. Let them give praise to thy great name: for it is terrible and holy: 98:4. And the king's honour loveth judgment. Thou hast prepared directions: thou hast done judgment and justice in Jacob. Loveth judgment... Requireth discretion.-Ibid. Directions... Most right and just laws to direct men. 98:5. Exalt ye the Lord our God, and adore his footstool, for it is holy.

Shout aloud unto Jehovah, all the earth; break forth and shout for joy, and sing psalms. Sing psalms unto Jehovah with the harp: with the harp, and the voice of a song; With trumpets and sound of cornet, make a joyful noise before the King, Jehovah. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein; Let the floods clap [their] hands; let the mountains sing for joy together, Before Jehovah, for he cometh to judge the earth: he will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. Chapter 99 Jehovah reigneth: let the peoples tremble. He sitteth [between the] cherubim: let the earth be moved. Jehovah is great in Zion, and he is high above all the peoples. They shall praise thy great and terrible name, — it is holy! -- And the strength of the king that loveth justice. Thou hast established equity: it is thou that executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob. Exalt Jehovah our God, and worship at his footstool. He is holy! Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name: they called unto Jehovah, and he answered them. He spoke unto them in the pillar of cloud: they kept his testimonies, and the statute that he gave them. Jehovah, our God, thou answeredst them: a forgiving God wast thou unto them, though thou tookest vengeance of their doings. Exalt Jehovah our God, and worship at the hill of his holiness; for holy is Jehovah our God. Chapter 100 {A Psalm of thanksgiving.} Shout aloud unto Jehovah, all the earth!