Psalms 98:7

KJV

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let the sea {H3220} roar {H7481}, and the fulness {H4393} thereof; the world {H8398}, and they that dwell {H3427} therein.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let the sea roar, and everything in it; the world, and those living in it.

Berean Standard Bible

Let the sea resound, and all that fills it, the world, and all who dwell in it.

American Standard Version

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 98:7 issues a majestic summons for all creation—from the vastness of the oceans and their teeming life to the entire inhabited earth and its inhabitants—to join in a resounding chorus of praise to the Lord. This verse expands the scope of worship beyond humanity, envisioning a universal symphony of adoration that anticipates God's righteous reign and coming judgment, highlighting His supreme sovereignty over all things.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 98 is a triumphant hymn, often classified as a "royal psalm" celebrating the Lord's reign (Yahweh-Malak). It opens with a call to "Sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things" ([Psalm 98:1](/psalms/98-1 "Psalm 98:1 - A New Song for Marvelous Works")). The initial verses recount God's powerful acts of salvation and righteousness, specifically His remembrance of His "mercy and of his truth toward the house of Israel" ([Psalm 98:3](/psalms/98-3 "Psalm 98:3 - God's Mercy and Truth to Israel")). The psalm then transitions from a specific focus on Israel to a universal invitation, urging "all the earth" to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord" with musical instruments ([Psalm 98:4-6](/psalms/98-4 "Psalm 98:4-6 - Call to Joyful Noise and Music")). Verse 7 dramatically broadens this cosmic invitation, personifying the natural world, before culminating in the climactic declaration that the Lord "cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity" ([Psalm 98:9](/psalms/98-9 "Psalm 98:9 - God Comes to Judge the Earth")). This progression underscores the psalm's movement from God's particular salvation to His universal reign and judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Psalms, as a collection, served as the hymnbook and prayer book of ancient Israel, reflecting their theological understanding and worship practices. The concept of God as King, reigning over all creation, was central to Israelite theology, often expressed in enthronement psalms. While specific historical events are not directly referenced in Psalm 98, the psalm draws on the Exodus tradition and God's mighty acts of salvation as a basis for His universal kingship. The imagery of the sea roaring or mountains singing was not uncommon in ancient Near Eastern literature, but in Israelite thought, it was always directed towards Yahweh, the one true God, as the sovereign Creator. The anticipation of divine judgment was a deeply ingrained aspect of Israelite eschatology, where God would ultimately intervene to establish justice and righteousness on earth. This universal call to praise, therefore, transcends specific national boundaries, reflecting a broader theological vision of God's dominion over all peoples and all creation.

* **Key Themes:** Psalm 98:7 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **Universal Praise**, depicting an all-encompassing worship where even the non-human elements of creation are summoned to participate. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty and the inherent responsiveness of His creation to His glory, echoing the declaration in [Psalm 19:1](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory") that "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." Secondly, the verse underscores **God's Sovereignty Over Creation**. The command for the sea to "roar" is not a suggestion but an imperative, demonstrating that creation is not merely a passive backdrop but an active participant in declaring the Creator's will and majesty. This theme is further developed in passages like [Psalm 29:3-4](/psalms/29-3 "Psalm 29:3-4 - The Voice of the Lord Over the Waters"), where "The voice of the Lord is upon the waters." Finally, the cosmic praise envisioned in this verse is intrinsically linked to the **Anticipation of Divine Judgment and Righteous Reign**. The universal adoration serves as a prelude to God's coming to judge the earth with righteousness and equity, as clearly stated in [Psalm 98:9](/psalms/98-9 "Psalm 98:9 - God Comes to Judge the Earth"), where all things will be set right under His just and benevolent rule.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Roar (Hebrew, _sha'ag'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁאַג (_sha'ag_) typically describes the powerful, resonant sound of a lion's roar (e.g., [Amos 3:8](/amos/3-8 "Amos 3:8 - The Lion Has Roared")) or the rumble of thunder. When applied to the sea in Psalm 98:7, it evokes an image of immense power, majesty, and an awe-inspiring, deliberate declaration. It is not a chaotic or destructive noise, but a purposeful, deep, and resounding expression of praise, signifying the sea's active and mighty participation in the cosmic chorus. This personification imbues the natural element with agency and voice, demonstrating its inherent capacity to respond to its Creator.
* **Fulness thereof (Hebrew, _melo'o'_):** The Hebrew word מְלֹאוֹ (_melo'o_), meaning "its fullness" or "that which fills it," refers comprehensively to everything contained within the vastness of the sea. This includes all its creatures—from the smallest plankton to the largest marine mammals—its depths, its currents, and every aspect of its immense being. By including "the fulness thereof," the psalmist ensures that the call to praise is exhaustive, encompassing every single component of this grand part of creation, leaving nothing out of the universal acclamation of God's glory.
* **World (Hebrew, _tevel'_):** The Hebrew term תֵּבֵל (_tevel_) specifically refers to the inhabited earth, the fertile, productive land where humanity dwells. Unlike _eretz_ (אֶרֶץ), which can mean land or earth generally, _tevel_ emphasizes the human sphere of existence. Its inclusion alongside "the sea" and "they that dwell therein" creates a comprehensive picture of the entire created order, both natural and human, being summoned to worship. This underscores the universal scope of God's dominion and the expectation that all of creation, particularly the realm of human habitation, should acknowledge His sovereignty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let the sea roar,"**: This imperative command personifies the vast and powerful ocean, summoning it to make a deep, resonant sound of praise. The "roar" signifies not chaos, but a majestic, awe-inspiring declaration, akin to a lion's powerful cry or thunder, reflecting the sea's inherent capacity to bear witness to its Creator's majesty.
* **"and the fulness thereof;"**: This phrase extends the call to every single element within the sea—all its creatures, its depths, its currents, its entire vastness. It ensures that the praise is comprehensive, encompassing every aspect of this immense part of creation, signifying that nothing within God's dominion is excluded from the universal worship.
* **"the world,"**: This refers to the inhabited earth, the terrestrial globe where humanity resides. By including "the world," the psalmist broadens the scope of the universal praise from the aquatic realm to the entire landmass, emphasizing God's dominion over all physical geography and the sphere of human activity.
* **"and they that dwell therein."**: This final clause explicitly includes all living beings, especially humanity, who inhabit the earth. It brings the focus back to sentient life, ensuring that the call to praise encompasses both the inanimate elements of creation and the intelligent beings who populate them, culminating in a truly universal and all-encompassing summons to worship.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 98:7 is rich in literary devices that amplify its powerful message. The most prominent is **Personification**, where the sea is commanded to "roar," imbuing an inanimate natural element with the capacity for vocal expression and active participation in worship. This elevates the natural world from a passive backdrop to an active participant in God's praise. The use of the **Imperative Mood** ("Let the sea roar") serves as a divine command, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty over creation; it is not a suggestion but an authoritative decree that creation inherently obeys. **Parallelism** is also evident, particularly in the structure "the sea, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." This creates a rhythmic and comprehensive sweep, ensuring that no part of creation is left out. The pairing of a natural element with its inhabitants (sea/fulness, world/dwellers) reinforces the exhaustive nature of the call to praise. Furthermore, the overall imagery might be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, as the literal roaring of the sea in praise is a poetic exaggeration designed to convey the immense scale and fervency of the anticipated universal adoration for God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 98:7 profoundly articulates the biblical truth of God's universal sovereignty and the inherent responsiveness of His creation to His glory. It paints a picture of a cosmos designed to declare the majesty of its Creator, where even the most powerful and seemingly uncontrollable elements, like the roaring sea, are subject to His command and join in a symphony of praise. This cosmic worship is not an end in itself but serves as a prelude to the ultimate manifestation of God's righteous reign and judgment over all the earth. The verse reminds humanity that our worship is not an isolated act but part of a grand, universal chorus, compelling us to align our hearts and voices with the entire creation in acknowledging God's supreme authority and coming justice.

* [Psalm 19:1-4](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1-4 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory")
* [Isaiah 55:12](/isaiah/55-12 "Isaiah 55:12 - Trees Clap Their Hands")
* [Revelation 5:13](/revelation/5-13 "Revelation 5:13 - Every Creature Praises God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 98:7 serves as a profound reminder of the expansive nature of God's glory and the comprehensive scope of His dominion. It challenges believers to move beyond a narrow, anthropocentric view of worship and to recognize that our praise is but one note in an infinitely grander, cosmic symphony. If the sea, with its immense power and vastness, and the entire inhabited world are called to roar in praise to their Creator, how much more should humanity, uniquely made in God's image and recipients of His redemptive grace, offer fervent, unreserved, and joyful adoration? This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of awe and wonder, not only in corporate worship settings but also as we encounter the natural world. Every crashing wave, every rustling leaf, every creature, in its very existence, silently or audibly declares the wisdom, power, and majesty of God. Recognizing this universal chorus should inspire us to deepen our own worship, to live lives that reflect God's holiness and justice, and to eagerly anticipate the day when His righteous reign is fully established over all creation, knowing that our praise now is a foretaste of the eternal praise to come.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the idea of the entire creation praising God impact your understanding of worship?**
* **In what ways can you, as an individual, better align your life and worship with the "cosmic chorus" described in this verse?**
* **How does recognizing God's sovereignty over the natural world deepen your trust in His control over your own life and the world's affairs?**

### FAQ
**Does the Bible literally mean that the sea and trees will "roar" or "clap their hands"?**

Answer: While the Bible often uses vivid, poetic language, passages like Psalm 98:7 and [Isaiah 55:12](/isaiah/55-12 "Isaiah 55:12 - Trees Clap Their Hands") employ **personification** to convey a profound theological truth rather than a literal action. The "roaring" of the sea or "clapping" of trees are anthropomorphic expressions, attributing human-like actions to natural elements. This literary device emphasizes that all of creation, in its very existence, structure, and function, inherently declares the glory, power, and wisdom of its Creator. It signifies that creation is not a passive backdrop but an active, albeit non-verbal, participant in acknowledging God's majesty and sovereignty. It's a powerful way to communicate that God's dominion is absolute and that everything He has made bears witness to Him, prompting humanity to join in this universal adoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 98:7's vision of universal praise anticipating God's righteous reign finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. While the psalm looks forward to the Lord's coming to judge the earth, the New Testament reveals that this divine judge is none other than the incarnate Son of God. Jesus demonstrates His absolute authority over creation, fulfilling the psalmist's vision, when He calms the storm with a mere word, causing even the winds and the sea to obey Him ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")). This showcases His divine power over the very elements called to roar in Psalm 98:7. Furthermore, Christ's redemptive work on the cross and His resurrection initiate the "new creation," where all things are reconciled to God through Him ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). The cosmic praise envisioned in the psalm is fully realized in the worship of the Lamb in Revelation, where "every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever" ([Revelation 5:13](/revelation/5-13 "Revelation 5:13 - Every Creature Praises God")). Thus, the universal chorus of creation's praise finds its perfect conductor and ultimate recipient in Jesus Christ, through whom all creation will ultimately acknowledge God's righteous and glorious reign.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 49:13

¶ Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

Psalms 96:11

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.

Psalms 97:1

¶ The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad [thereof].

Psalms 24:1

¶ A Psalm of David. The earth [is] the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Isaiah 61:11

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.