Psalms 98:1
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.
Study Note
Study Note
The call to 'sing unto the Lord a new song' opens Psalm 98's celebration of YHWH's 'marvellous things,' and the specification of divine right hand and holy arm as the instruments of victory draws on the warrior-king traditions of Exodus 15 and Deuteronomy 33. The 'new song' (shir chadash) tradition across the Psalter (33:3; 40:3; 96:1; 144:9; 149:1) signifies that each new experience of divine deliverance demands a new poetic response — praise is not repertoire maintenance but ongoing creative engagement with the living God. The psalm's second half (vv. 4–9) expands the summons to universal praise by all nations and creation itself, making it one of the most comprehensive expressions of universal eschatological worship in the Psalter. Revelation 5:9's new song of the redeemed fulfills this Psalm's vision in christological and cosmic terms.
Other Translations
Oh sing unto Jehovah a new song; For he hath done marvellous things: His right hand, and his holy arm, hath wrought salvation for him.
A Psalm. Sing ye to Jehovah a new song, For wonders He hath done, Given salvation to Him hath His right hand and His holy arm.
O make a new song to the Lord, because he has done works of wonder; with his right hand, and with his holy arm, he has overcome.
Cross References
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise …
Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the …
Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, …
Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.