What does Psalm 98:4 mean?
ESV: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
NIV: Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;
NASB: Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Be cheerful and sing for joy and sing praises.
CSB: Let the whole earth shout to the Lord; be jubilant, shout for joy, and sing.
NLT: Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!
KJV: Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
NKJV: Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
Verse Commentary:
Please see our chapter commentary on Psalm 98, verse-level content coming soon!
Verse Context:
Psalm 98:4–9 calls on everyone in the world to celebrate God with music and instruments. Likewise, nature itself should express worship of the Lord. These praises anticipate God coming to judge the world and establish His perfect justice (Revelation 20:4).
Chapter Summary:
God has proven His glory through amazing miracles. He has accomplished salvation by His own power, honoring His loyal love for the nation of Israel. Every nation, including the Gentiles, can see what the Lord has done. All people should respond to this with praise and worship, using every type of instrument. Nature itself will echo praises of God. These celebrations look forward to God returning to earth, bringing justice and righteous judgment.
Chapter Context:
This psalm may have been inspired by a specific victory over one of Israel's enemies. Another possibility is celebrating the return of exiled Jewish people (Ezra 2:1). It is one of the "enthronement" psalms (Psalm 24; 27; 93; 95—99) which honor God as the ultimate ruler over the entire world. As with similar psalms, this song anticipates the Lord coming to earth in righteous judgment.
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
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