Psalms 98:4

¶ Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

Make a joyful noise {H7321} unto the LORD {H3068}, all the earth {H776}: make a loud noise {H6476}, and rejoice {H7442}, and sing {H2167} praise.

Shout for joy to ADONAI, all the earth! Break forth, sing for joy, sing praises!

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth—let your cry ring out, and sing praises!

Make a joyful noise unto Jehovah, all the earth: Break forth and sing for joy, yea, sing praises.

Psalms 98:4 issues a vibrant, universal call to worship and celebration, commanding all the earth to express unreserved joy and praise to the LORD. This verse encapsulates the exuberant spirit of the psalm, inviting creation itself to participate in acknowledging God's majesty and saving acts.

Context

Psalm 98 is a psalm of praise that anticipates and celebrates God's righteous rule and salvation, often seen as having eschatological overtones – looking forward to a time when God's reign is fully established. The preceding verses (Psalm 98:1-3) recount the Lord's "marvellous things," His victory, and His remembrance of His "mercy and truth" towards Israel, which has been revealed to "all the ends of the earth." Building on this foundation of divine faithfulness and power, verse 4 broadens the scope of praise from Israel to the entire world, urging a collective, boisterous acclamation of God.

Key Themes

  • Universal Praise: The directive "all the earth" emphasizes that worship of the LORD is not confined to one nation but is a global mandate, anticipating a future where God's glory is recognized by all creation. This theme resonates with Psalm 100:1, which similarly calls "all ye lands" to make a joyful noise.
  • Exuberant Joy: The repetition of commands like "make a joyful noise," "make a loud noise," and "rejoice" highlights an active, unreserved, and audible expression of delight in God. This is not quiet contemplation but an enthusiastic shout of triumph and adoration.
  • God's Salvation as Reason for Praise: The call to praise is directly linked to God's mighty deeds of salvation and righteousness (as stated in previous verses). Worship flows from an understanding and appreciation of who God is and what He has done for humanity.
  • Musical Worship: The inclusion of "sing praise" underscores the role of music and song in expressing devotion and adoration to the Creator.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse convey a sense of emphatic, audible celebration:

  • "Make a joyful noise" (Hebrew: hari'u, from rua'): This word often describes a loud shout, a battle cry, or a trumpet blast. Here, it signifies a triumphant shout of joy, a boisterous acclamation rather than a quiet murmur. It suggests an uninhibited, celebratory sound.
  • "Rejoice" (Hebrew: gilu, from gil): This term means to spin around with joy, to exult, or to be exceedingly glad. It points to an overflowing, demonstrative happiness.
  • "Sing praise" (Hebrew: zammeru, from zamar): This refers to making music, singing, or playing an instrument, specifically in a context of praise or worship.

Practical Application

Psalms 98:4 encourages believers today to engage in worship with passion and freedom. It reminds us that our praise should be a heartfelt, often audible, response to God's character and His works of salvation. For individuals, it's an invitation to let go of inhibitions and express genuine delight in the Lord. For communities of faith, it underscores the importance of vibrant, collective worship that celebrates God's universal reign and His victory over sin and death, a victory ultimately fulfilled in Christ Jesus, as seen in Philippians 4:4: "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." This verse serves as a timeless reminder that all creation is called to acknowledge and celebrate the sovereign, saving God.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 44:23

    Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done [it]: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.

  • Psalms 100:1

    ¶ A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

  • Psalms 66:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician, A Song [or] Psalm. Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:

  • Revelation 19:6

    And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

  • Jeremiah 33:11

    The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD [is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever: [and] of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.

  • Psalms 47:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

  • Psalms 47:5

    ¶ God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.

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