Christmas Season · Nativity of the Lord - Christmas Day Proper 3 · Year C
Psalm 98
Sing to the Lord a New Song
December 25, 2027
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).
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Commentary
Commentary on Psalm 98 Working Preacher
Notes that Isaac Watts turned this psalm into 'Joy to the World,' a summons to sing at the Lord's coming.
Psalm 98 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed reflection on the psalm's summons to sea, rivers, and hills to make joyful noise.
Psalm 98 - A New Song of Salvation Enduring Word · David Guzik
An evangelical verse-by-verse reading of the new song and the Lord's marvelous salvation.
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.
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