Psalms 98 · Adam Clarke
Introduction God is celebrated for his wondrous works, Psa 98:1 , Psa 98:2 ; for the exact fulfillment of his gracious promises, Psa 98:3 . The manner in which he is to be praised, Psa 98:4-6 . Inanimate creation called to bear a part in this concert, Psa 98:7 , Psa 98:8 . The justice of his judgments, Psa 98:9 . In the Hebrew this is simply termed מזמור mizmor, a Psalm. In the Chaldee, A prophetic Psalm. In the Vulgate, Septuagint, Ethiopic, A Psalm of David. In the Syriac it is attributed to David, and stated to be composed concerning the "Restoration of the Israelites from Egypt; but is to be understood spiritually of the advent of the Messiah, and the vocation of the Gentiles to the Christian faith." The Psalm in its subject is very like the ninety-sixth. It was probably written to celebrate the deliverance from the Babylonish captivity; but is to be understood prophetically of the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ. Verse 1 A new song - A song of excellence. Give him the highest praise. See on Psa 96:1 (note). Hath done marvellous things - נפלאות niphlaoth, "miracles," the same word as in Psa 96:3 , where we translate it wonders. His holy arm - His Almighty power: - Hath gotten him the victory - הושיעה לו hoshiah llo, "hath made salvation to himself."
Verse 2 Made known his salvation - He has delivered his people in such a way as to show that it was supernatural, and that their confidence in the unseen God was not in vain.
Verse 3 He hath remembered his mercy - His gracious promises to their forefathers. And his truth - Faithfully accomplishing what he had promised. All this was fulfilled under the Gospel.
Verse 5 With - the voice of a Psalm - I think זמרה zimrah, which we translate Psalm, means either a musical instrument, or a species of ode modulated by different voices.
Verse 6 With trumpets - חצצרות chatsotseroth. Some kind of tubular instruments, of the form and management of which we know nothing. And sound of cornet - שופר shophar, the word commonly used for what we call trumpet.
Verse 7 Let the sea roar - These are either fine poetic images; or, if we take them as referring to the promulgation of the Gospel, by the sea all maritime countries and commercial nations may be intended.
Verse 8 Let the floods clap their hands - נהרות neharoth, properly the rivers - possibly meaning immense continents, where only large rivers are found; thus including inland people, as well as maritime stations, and those on the sea-coasts generally; as in those early times little more than the coasts of the sea were known. The Gospel shall be preached in the most secluded nations of the world. Let the hills be joyful - All the inhabitants of rocky and mountainous countries.