Psalm 98:1-4

Our responsorial this week comes from Psalm 98, which is a hymn of praise celebrating God’s saving power made visible to all the nations.

Originally, this psalm likely celebrated Israel’s deliverance from exile in Babylon — a triumph so great that even foreign peoples could see that the Lord had acted on behalf of his people.

For us as Christians, the psalm points forward to the greater deliverance accomplished in Christ, whose death and resurrection reveal God’s justice and salvation for the whole world.

Just as Naaman the Syrian and the Samaritan leper, who were not Jewish, both recognized God’s mercy and gave thanks, the psalm calls all peoples to rejoice in the Lord’s salvation.

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds;

The psalm begins with a summons to praise God with a “new song”: a fresh response to God’s unprecedented saving works. The marvelous deeds of God being praised had never been done before; therefore, the people required a song of praise very different from what they had previously sung.

“Listen to me: Sing a new song to the Lord. You tell me that you are already singing. Sing on, I say, sing on; I can hear you. But try to make sure that your life does not contradict the words that your tongue sings. Sing with your voice and with your heart, sing with your mouth and with your deeds … The praise of the song comes from the singer himself. If you wish to give praise to God, become the song that you would sing. You yourselves will give him praise if you lead holy lives” [Saint Augustine, Sermones, 34, 3-6].

his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm.

God is portrayed as a victorious warrior whose power alone has brought deliverance.

The image of God’s “holy arm” is a biblical metaphor for his divine power and authority at work in history (Deuteronomy 26:8; Isaiah 52:10).

Just as a warrior’s arm brings victory, God’s “arm” signifies his strength in saving his people — a power that is both holy and set apart, accomplishing what no human effort could achieve.

The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.

Israel’s deliverance is not a private matter; it is a revelation to the nations, Israel’s pagan neighbors.

God’s saving justice is meant to be seen and recognized universally.

He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.

The victory springs from God’s covenant love (hesed) and fidelity (ěmûnâh), recalling the promises made to the patriarchs.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.

The psalmist widens the vision: What began as Israel’s triumph is now God’s universal revelation. His salvation is visible to every nation and every people.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.

Because God’s saving power is universal, so too must be the praise. All the earth is summoned to rejoice, joining Israel in song.

Sing praise to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.

These verses deepen the imagery of worship by incorporating musical instruments and joyous exclamations, creating a vivid picture of communal celebration.

This joyous psalm envisions a time when all nations, including those who do not yet know God, will come to worship him as Israel does — rejoicing in his sovereignty and salvation.