TRV
Translation
King James Version
The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
Complete Jewish Bible
ADONAI has made known his victory; revealed his vindication in full view of the nations,
Berean Standard Bible
The LORD has proclaimed His salvation and revealed His righteousness to the nations.
American Standard Version
Jehovah hath made known his salvation: His righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the nations.
World English Bible Messianic
The LORD has made known his salvation. He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
Geneva Bible (1599)
The Lord declared his saluation: his righteousnes hath he reueiled in the sight of ye nations.
Young's Literal Translation
Jehovah hath made known His salvation, Before the eyes of the nations, He hath revealed His righteousness,
In the KJVVerse 15,493 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 98 verses 1–3
1 ¶ A Psalm. 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.
2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
We are here called upon again to sing unto the Lord a new song, as before, Psa 96:1. "Sing a most excellent song, the best song you have." Let the song of Christ's love be like Solomon's on that subject, a song of songs. A song of praise for redeeming love is a new song, such a song as had not been sung before; for this is a mystery which was hidden from ages and generations. Converts sing a new song, very different from what they had sung; they change their wonder and change their joy, and therefore change their note. If the grace of God put a new heart into our breasts, it will therewith put a new song into our mouths. In the new Jerusalem there will be new songs sung, that will be new to eternity, and never wax old. Let this new song be sung to the praise of God, in consideration of these four things: -
I. The wonders he has wrought: He has done marvellous things, Psa 98:1. Note, The work of our salvation by Christ is a work of wonder. If we take a view of all the steps of it from the contrivance of it, and the counsels of God concerning it before all time, to the consummation of it, and its everlasting consequences when time shall be no more, we shall say, God has in it done marvellous things; it is all his doing and it is marvellous in our eyes. The more it is known the more it will be admired.
II. The conquests he has won: His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him the victory. Our Redeemer has surmounted all the difficulties that lay in the way of our redemption, has broken through them all, and was not discouraged by the services or sufferings appointed him. He has subdued all the enemies that opposed it, has gotten the victory over Satan, disarmed him, and cast him out of his strong-holds, has spoiled principalities and powers (Col 2:15), has taken the prey from the mighty (Isa 49:24), and given death his death's wound. He has gotten a clear and complete victory, not only for himself, but for us also, for we through him are more than conquerors. He got this victory by his own power; there was none to help, none to uphold, none that durst venture into the service; but his right hand and his holy arm, which are always stretched out with good success, because they are never stretched out but in a good cause, these have gotten him the victory, have brought him relief or deliverance. God's power and faithfulness, called here his right hand and his holy arm, brought relief to the Lord Jesus, in raising him from the dead, and exalting him personally to the right hand of God; so Dr. Hammond.
III. The discoveries he has made to the world of the work of redemption. What he has wrought for us he has revealed to us, and both by his Son; the gospel-revelation is that on which the gospel-kingdom is founded - the word which God sent, Act 10:36. The opening of the sealed book is that which is to be celebrated with songs of praise (Rev 5:8), because by it was brought to light the mystery which had long been hid in God. Observe, 1. The subject of this discovery - his salvation and his righteousness, Psa 98:3. Righteousness and salvation are often put together; as Isa 61:10; Isa 46:13; Isa 51:5, Isa 51:6, Isa 51:8. Salvation denotes the redemption itself, and righteousness the way in which it was wrought, by the righteousness of Christ. Or the salvation includes all our gospel-privileges and the righteousness all our gospel-duties; both are made known, for God has joined them together, and we must not separate them. Or righteousness is here put for the way of our justification by Christ, which is revealed in the gospel to be by faith, Rom 1:17. 2. The plainness of this discovery. He has openly shown it, not in types and figures as under the law, but it is written as with a sunbeam, that he that runs may read it. Ministers are appointed to preach it with all plainness of speech. 3. The extent of this discovery. It is made in the sight of the heathen, and not of the Jews only: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God; for to the Gentiles was the word of salvation sent.
IV. The accomplishment of the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament, in this (Psa 98:3): He has remembered his mercy and his truth towards the house of Israel. God had mercy in store for the seed of Abraham, and had given them many and great assurances of the kindness he designed them in the latter days; and it was in pursuance of all those that he raised up his Son Jesus to be not only a light to lighten the Gentiles, but the glory of his people Israel; for he sent him, in the first place, to bless them. God is said, in sending Christ, to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember the holy covenant, Luk 1:72. It was in consideration of that, and not of their merit.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–3. Public domain.
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Eusebius of CaesareaAD 339
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 10:1
Along with my prayers I now add book 10 to the Church History and dedicate it to you, my most consecrated Paulinus, and blazon you as the seal of the whole work. It is appropriate that in a perfect number I shall here provide a completed account in celebration of the restoration of the churches, in obedience to the divine Spirit who urges us:
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things;
His right and his holy arm have wrought salvation for him.
The Lord has made known his salvation:
His righteousness he has revealed in the sight of the heathen.
Accordingly, let me now sing the new song, since after those grim and horrifying scenes and narratives, I was now privileged to see and to celebrate what many righteous people and martyrs of God before me desired to see but did not see and to hear but did not hear. But they hurried on to far better things in the heavens, caught up into a paradise of divine bliss, while I, admitting that even the present circumstances are more than I deserve, have been totally astonished at the magnitude of grace he has conferred and offer him my total awe and worship, confirming the truth of the prophecies that declare:
Come and behold the works of the Lord,
What wonders he has wrought on the earth,
Making wars to cease to the ends of the world.
He will break the bow and shatter the spear,
And the shields he will burn with fire.
Rejoicing that all this has been clearly fulfilled, let me proceed with my narrative.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 98
"The Lord has made known His salvation" [Psalm 98:2]. This very right hand, this very arm, this very salvation, is our Lord Jesus Christ of whom it is said, "And all flesh shall see the salvation of God;" [Luke 3:6] of whom also that Simeon who embraced the Infant in his arms, spoke, "Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace; for my eyes have seen Your salvation." [Luke 2:28-30] "The Lord has made known His salvation." To whom did He make it known? To a part, or to the whole? Not to any part specially. Let no man betray, no man deceive, no man say, "Lo, here is Christ, or there:" [Matthew 24:23] the man who says, Lo, He is here, or there, points to some particular spots. To whom "has the Lord declared His salvation"? Hear what follows: "His righteousness has He openly showed in the sight of the heathen." Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the right hand of God, the arm of God, the salvation of God, and the righteousness of God.
Peter ChrysologusAD 450
SERMON 6
“Sing joyfully to God, all the earth.” What is it that an understanding of this great joy is likely to make clear? Why is it that, after God gave commandments so great, so terrifying and so awesome, he now invites the earth to a shout of joy? “Sing joyfully to God, all the earth,” the text reads.What other reason is there than the following? The awesome God later on chose the role of a very gentle shepherd. He assumed this character in order to act as a merciful shepherd and gather together, like straggling sheep into one fold, those wandering peoples, those straying nations, those tribes scattered far and wide. Yes, more, he wanted to lead back to the use of milk and grass and restore those wild nations that were languishing after the prey of a carcass, the eating of flesh, the drinking of blood and the fury of beasts. Briefly, he desired to make them once more truly humble sheep.
“All the earth sing joyfully to God,” he says, and by this command he imposes his shepherdly control on all the earth. The resounding trumpet draws the soldier forth to war; just so does the sweetness of this jubilant call invite the sheep to pasture. How fitting it was to mitigate the din of fighting by shepherdly kindness, in order that such gentle grace might save the nations that their own natural wildness had long been destroying.
CassiodorusAD 585
EXPOSITIONS OF THE PSALMS 97:4
The phrase “Sing and exult and play the lyre” follows. Although these words seem to be similar, nonetheless they are separated by some distinction. Singing is shouting the praises to the Lord, as is befitting for the mouth of a serious Christian to do. Exulting is declaring the vows of the mind with great affection. Playing the lyre is fulfilling the commandments of the Lord with good deeds. As to the fact that he admonishes this to be done so many times, it is because we must rejoice there in a diverse variety of virtues.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 98:2 is a triumphant declaration of God's active and public revelation of His saving power and righteous character. It proclaims that the LORD has not hidden His redemptive work but has openly displayed it for all the world, including the non-Israelite nations, to witness. This verse serves as a foundational statement for a universal call to praise, celebrating God's sovereign acts of deliverance and His unwavering justice, which are made manifest for all humanity to behold and respond to.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 98:2 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is Parallelism, specifically Synonymous Parallelism, where the second half of the verse reiterates and amplifies the meaning of the first. "The LORD hath made known his salvation" is closely paralleled by "his righteousness hath he openly shewed." This repetition not only adds emphasis but also highlights the intrinsic and inseparable connection between God's salvation and His righteousness—they are two facets of the same divine activity, revealed in concert. The verse also utilizes Anthropomorphism, attributing human-like actions to God, such as "making known" and "showing." This device helps the human mind grasp God's deliberate and observable work in the world, making His divine attributes relatable and comprehensible. Furthermore, the verse embodies Universalism as a thematic device, explicitly stating that God's actions are revealed "in the sight of the heathen." This expands the scope of God's redemptive plan beyond the confines of Israel to all nations, setting a global stage for divine revelation and demanding a universal human response.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 98:2 stands as a profound declaration of God's self-revelation, emphasizing that His saving acts and righteous character are not confined to a select few but are openly displayed for all humanity. This universal scope of God's redemptive purpose is a consistent thread throughout Scripture, demonstrating His desire for all peoples to know Him and be reconciled to Him. The verse underscores that God's salvation is always consistent with His perfect justice; He saves righteously and judges justly. This public display of His attributes serves as both an invitation to worship and a warning of His ultimate judgment, confirming His sovereign rule over all creation and His unwavering commitment to establishing justice throughout the earth.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 98:2 offers a magnificent vision of God's active involvement in the world, revealing His saving power and righteous character for all to see. For us today, this verse is a powerful reminder that our God is not distant or hidden, but one who desires to be known intimately. It calls us to recognize the visible evidence of His hand at work in history, in the intricate beauty of creation, and most profoundly, in the transformed lives of believers. This open display of God's attributes should ignite within us a deep sense of worship, gratitude, and awe for His majesty. Furthermore, the explicit mention of "the heathen" serves as a potent missional mandate, reminding us that God's plan of salvation is global in scope. We are called not only to witness His glory but to participate actively in making His salvation and righteousness known to every corner of the earth, proclaiming the good news to those who have yet to see and believe. This verse encourages us to live lives that reflect His righteousness, thereby becoming instruments through which His character is further revealed to a watching world, drawing others into His marvelous light.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean that God "made known his salvation" and "openly shewed his righteousness"?
Answer: This signifies God's deliberate and public revelation of His character and redemptive work. "Made known" implies a clear declaration or demonstration, while "openly shewed" suggests an unveiling or making visible. It means God's saving power and His just, faithful nature are not hidden secrets but are actively displayed in history, through His mighty acts, His covenant dealings with Israel, and ultimately through the person and work of Jesus Christ. This revelation is intended to be seen and understood by all, including those outside of Israel, demonstrating His desire for all humanity to encounter Him.
Why is it significant that God's revelation is "in the sight of the heathen"?
Answer: The term "heathen" (Hebrew: goyim) refers to the non-Israelite nations or Gentiles. Its inclusion is highly significant because it emphasizes the universal scope of God's redemptive plan. In a world where deities were often seen as tribal or national, this verse declares that Yahweh's actions and character are meant to be observed and recognized by all peoples, not just Israel. It foreshadows the New Testament truth that God's salvation is for all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike, as articulated in Romans 10:12-13. This universal vision underpins the Great Commission to preach the gospel to every nation (Matthew 28:19).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 98:2 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "salvation" that the LORD made known is perfectly embodied in Christ, who is Himself the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. His life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection constitute the supreme act of God's deliverance, openly displayed for all humanity to witness and believe. Furthermore, the "righteousness" that God openly shewed is fully revealed in Jesus. He is the righteous One, through whom God's perfect justice and faithfulness are made manifest, allowing God to be simultaneously just and the justifier of those who have faith in Jesus. The declaration that God's acts are "in the sight of the heathen" is powerfully fulfilled as the gospel, centered on Christ, extends to all nations, breaking down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14). Through the cross and resurrection, God's salvation and righteousness are not merely proclaimed but visibly, powerfully, and universally enacted, inviting all peoples to behold and believe in the saving work of Christ, the light for revelation to the Gentiles.