Psalms 98

The Prophet exhorteth the Jews and likewise the heathen, yea all Creatures to the praise of God, because of his kindness, his truth, salvation and deliverance by Christ.

1. A Psalm, sing unto the LORD [Our Lord Jesus Christ namely] a new hymn, [Psa.33.3.] for he hath done wonders; his right hand and the arm of his holiness [i.e. his holy arm] have given [or got] him salvation, [viz. Against all his Enemies. The sence is, he hath overcome and subdued all his Enemies, through his Godly power and strength alone; see Isa.52.10. and 53.1. and 59.16. and 63.5.]

2. The LORD (Christ) hath made known his salvation; he hath revealed his righteousness [viz. That of the Gospel or Faith] before the eyes of the Heathen.

3. He hath been mindful of his kindness, and of his truth to the house of Israel [Understand here withal, and he hath made good and performed what he had promised to his people Israel, redeeming and freeing them from their sins. See Luke 1:54,55,72,73,74.] and all the ends of the Earth [i.e. all the inhabitants of the world, from one end to the other, so also Isa.52.10.] have seen the salvation of our God.

4. Shout unto the LORD thou whole Earth [i.e. all yee that dwell on the Earth, as Psalms 96:9.] cry out for joy, and sing cheerfully, and sing Psalms.

5. Sing Psalms to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and with the voice of a song.

6. With the sound of Trumpets and Cornets shout before the face of the King, the LORD, [viz. Our Lord Jesus Christ.]

7. Let the Sea roar [Heb. Thunder, viz. For joy, these are phrases spoken by similitude to shew the exceeding great joy, which the faithful all the world over by Sea and Land, are to have and shew forth all manner of ways from and for the publishing of the gospel. See Psalms 96:11.] with the fulness thereof; the world with those that dwell therein.

8. Let the Rivers clap with hands [Heb with the hand-palm, this hath regard to the custom of men, which express their joy by clapping of hands, and shew thereby, that they take a most singular pleasure and content in the thing they enjoy, so likewise Psalms 47:2. and Isa.55.12.] let the Mountains be rejoicing together. [or shout, &c]

9. Before the face of the LORD [viz. Christ] for he cometh [that is he shall come assuredly, understand this as well of the second, as of the first coming of Christ] for to judge the Earth; [i.e. the inhabitants thereof] he shall judge the world in righteousness, [i.e. righteously, as Psalms 96:13.] and the Nations in all rectitude. [Heb. In rectitudes.]