A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
PSALMS 98:1KJVWhat does Psalms 98:1 mean?
Psalms 98:1 calls people to sing a new song to the LORD because He has done wonderful things, winning victory by His own power and holiness. The verse celebrates God’s mighty acts and invites worship in response to what He has accomplished.
This psalm is attributed to an anonymous author, speaking to the community of Israel and inviting everyone to praise the LORD (the personal name for God in Hebrew). The “new song” points to a fresh act of God that deserves special recognition, likely a recent deliverance or victory. The verse highlights God’s strength (“right hand”) and holiness (“holy arm”) as the reasons for His victory.
The Hebrew behind Psalms 98:1
- "Sing" (שִׁירוּ, shiru): This word is an active call, urging the people to respond with joyful music, not just quiet praise.
- "New" (חָדָשׁ, chadash): This word means something fresh or unprecedented, suggesting God’s work is not routine but remarkable and worth celebrating in a new way.
- "Victory" (יָשַׁע, yasha): This word often means salvation or deliverance, so the verse is not just about military victory but any act where God rescues or saves.
Why Psalms 98:1 matters
- The verse clarifies that worship is a response to God’s actions, not just a routine; people are called to sing because God has done something truly extraordinary.
- The focus on God’s “right hand” and “holy arm” emphasizes that the victory is entirely God’s doing, not human achievement.
- This verse sets the tone for the rest of the psalm, which continues to describe God’s saving acts and calls all creation to join in praise.