Christmas · Christmas Dawn · Year B
Psalm 98
Sing to the Lord a New Song
December 25, 2026
Overview & Insights
“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.” (Psalm 98:1)
Most of this psalm of Yahweh’s kingship is comprised of calls to praise (vv. 1a, 4–8), along with substantiating reasons that look to Yahweh’s past (vv. 1b–3) and future (v. 9) actions. Like Psalm 96, it opens with a general call for all the earth (v. 4; 96:1) to sing a new song (v. 1; 96:1) about Yahweh’s marvelous things/deeds (Hb. niplāʾôt , v. 1; 96:3) and salvation (v. 2; 96:2). It similarly contains three verses of commands to the human world to join in a ritual celebration of “the LORD, the King” (vv. 4–6; 96:7–9), and a closing section inviting the natural world to join in applauding his coming to judge the earth (vv. 7–9; 96:10–13).
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 98 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik on the new song for the marvelous things the Lord has done.
Commentary on Psalm 98 Working Preacher
Lutheran preaching commentary on the psalm's call for all the earth to praise the coming King.
Psalm 98:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators gathered on singing to the Lord a new song.
Background & Word Study
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Why Psalm 98 or Psalm 78?
Psalm 98 calls for a new song to the Lord who “has done marvelous things,” his saving victory seen to the ends of the earth; Psalm 78 rehearses God’s deeds so the next generation will not forget. Both frame the cross as God’s marvelous, saving work to be proclaimed.
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on Luke 2:(1-14) 15-20
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.