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.

Before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}; for he cometh {H935} to judge {H8199} the earth {H776}: with righteousness {H6664} shall he judge {H8199} the world {H8398}, and the people {H5971} with equity {H4339}.

before ADONAI, for he has come to judge the earth; he will judge the world rightly and the peoples fairly.

before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.

Before Jehovah; for he cometh to judge the earth: He will judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with equity.

Commentary on Psalms 98:9 (KJV)

Psalms 98:9 culminates a powerful song of praise and anticipation, declaring the ultimate reason for the earth's joyous acclamation: the Lord's coming to judge. This verse paints a vivid picture of divine justice and sovereignty, central to understanding God's character and His future plans for humanity.

Context

Psalm 98 is one of several "new song" psalms (e.g., Psalm 96:1), characterized by an urgent call to praise the Lord for His marvelous works, particularly His salvation and His coming reign. The preceding verses in Psalm 98 depict creation itself—the sea, rivers, and hills—rejoicing in anticipation of the Lord's arrival. Verse 9 provides the profound theological basis for this universal jubilation: God is coming not merely to reign, but to judge, ensuring that righteousness and equity prevail. This eschatological vision offers hope and assurance for the righteous.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse clearly states, "he cometh to judge the earth." This highlights God's role as the ultimate, sovereign Judge of all creation. His judgment is not a fearful arbitrary act for the righteous but the establishment of perfect order and justice.
  • Righteousness and Equity: The twin pillars of God's judgment are "righteousness" and "equity." This emphasizes that His judgments are not only just but also perfectly fair and impartial, treating all people with absolute uprightness. This provides immense comfort to those who have suffered injustice.
  • Universal Scope: Phrases like "the earth," "the world," and "the people" underscore the comprehensive nature of God's coming judgment. No corner of creation or any individual will be beyond His purview, ensuring a complete and final resolution to all unrighteousness.
  • Hope and Vindication: For the psalmist and the faithful, the anticipation of God's judgment is a source of hope. It means that all wrongs will be righted, and true justice will finally be established, leading to the vindication of His people.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "judge" (שָׁפַט - shaphat) is rich in meaning. While it certainly includes the idea of condemnation, it primarily signifies governing, ruling, setting things right, and administering justice. It implies the restoration of order and the vindication of the oppressed.
  • "Righteousness" (צֶדֶק - tzedeq) refers to moral rectitude, justice, and conformity to God's perfect standard.
  • "Equity" (מֵישָׁרִים - meisharim) means straightness, uprightness, fairness, and impartiality. It assures us that God's judgment will be free from bias or error.

Related Scriptures

The concept of God as the ultimate Judge is foundational throughout Scripture. This echoes the question posed in Genesis 18:25, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" The prophetic books frequently speak of a future time when God will judge the nations with righteousness, as seen in Isaiah 11:4 regarding the Messiah. The New Testament affirms that this judgment will be carried out by Jesus Christ, who has been appointed to judge the living and the dead (John 5:22; Acts 17:31). This ultimate establishment of justice leads to the promise of a new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 98:9 offers profound comfort and a call to reflection. In a world often marked by injustice and inequity, this verse reminds us that God is ultimately in control and will ensure perfect justice. It encourages us to live righteously, knowing that our lives are lived "before the LORD," who will judge all with perfect righteousness and equity. This anticipation of Christ's return to judge and rule should inspire both hope and a commitment to living according to His standards, while also motivating us to share the good news of His coming kingdom.

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.

  • Psalms 96:13

    Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

  • Psalms 96:10

    ¶ Say among the heathen [that] the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

  • Acts 17:31

    Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained; [whereof] he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead.

  • Acts 24:25

    And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

  • Psalms 72:2

    ¶ He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.

  • Isaiah 5:16

    But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.

  • Revelation 1:7

    Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

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