Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

PSALMS 98:9KJV
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Psalms 98:9 (KJV)

What does Psalms 98:9 mean?

Psalms 98:9 describes how the LORD is coming to judge the whole earth, and that His judgment will be fair and right for everyone. The verse emphasizes that God’s decisions will be based on righteousness and equity, meaning He will treat all people justly.

In the context of the psalm, this verse is part of a song celebrating God’s power and goodness. The writer, speaking to all people, calls for rejoicing because God’s rule is not harsh or unfair—He judges with true justice. The verse looks forward to a time when God’s authority will be recognized everywhere, and everyone will experience His just rule.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 98:9

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible, highlighting that the coming judge is not just any ruler, but the God of Israel Himself.
  • Righteousness (צֶדֶק, tsedeq): This word means doing what is right and just according to God’s standards, not just human ideas of fairness. It stresses that God’s judgments are based on true moral goodness.
  • Equity (מֵישָׁרִים, meysharim): This word means levelness, uprightness, or evenness. It adds the idea that God’s judgments are not only right, but also even-handed and impartial, without favoritism.

Why Psalms 98:9 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that God’s judgment is something to fear; instead, it is a reason for joy because it is perfectly fair and just.
  • The emphasis on righteousness and equity shows that God’s standards are higher and more trustworthy than human justice, offering hope for true fairness.
  • In the wider context of the psalm, this verse is the climax of a call to all creation to rejoice, showing that God’s just rule is good news for the whole world, not just one group.

Where else these words appear

“equity” Hebrew H4339 · used in 19 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 29:17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.
  • Psalms 99:4 The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
  • Song of Solomon 1:4 Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.

“world” Hebrew H8398 · used in 36 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.
  • Psalms 50:12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
  • Isaiah 14:17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?

“righteousness” Hebrew H6664 · used in 109 verses

  • Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
  • Psalms 52:3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
  • Ecclesiastes 7:15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.