Psalms 98:9
Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
Study Note
Study Note
'Before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity' — the eschatological climax of Psalm 98 situates all creation's praise (verses 7–8) within the context of coming divine judgment understood as ultimately good news. The parallel Psalm 96:13 uses nearly identical language, indicating a shared liturgical tradition of eschatological judgment-as-welcome-event — unlike modern sensibilities that read 'judgment' primarily as threat. The combination of 'righteousness' (tsedeq) and 'equity' (mesharim) for the divine judicial standard draws on the royal ideal of Psalm 72:1–2, where the king's justice is modeled on divine justice. Paul's citation of related judgment texts (Romans 3:6; Acts 17:31) demonstrates that divine universal judgment was not a New Testament innovation but a continuation of Israel's liturgical expectation.
Other Translations
Before Jehovah; for he cometh to judge the earth: He will judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with equity.
Before Jehovah, For He hath come to judge the earth, He judgeth the world in righteousness, And the people in uprightness!
Before the Lord, for he has come as judge of the earth; judging the world in righteousness, and giving true decisions for the peoples.
Cross References
But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.
And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this …
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom …
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds …
Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, …
Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: …
He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the …
Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of …