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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1710)
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>P S A L M S</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>PSALM XCVIII.</FONT>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
This psalm is to the same purport with the
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+96:1-13,Ps+97:1-12">two foregoing psalms</A>;
it is a prophecy of the kingdom of the Messiah, the settling of it up
in the world, and the bringing of the Gentiles into it. The Chaldee
entitles it a prophetic psalm. It sets forth,
I. The glory of the Redeemer,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+98:1-3">ver. 1-3</A>.
II. The joy of the redeemed,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+98:4-9">ver. 4-9</A>.
If we in a right manner give to Christ this glory, and upon right
grounds take to ourselves this joy, in singing this psalm, we sing it
with understanding. If those who saw Christ's triumph thus, much more
reason have we to do so who see these things accomplished and share in
the better things provided for us,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:40">Heb. xi. 40</A>.</P>
</FONT>
<A NAME="Ps98_1"> </A>
<A NAME="Ps98_2"> </A>
<A NAME="Ps98_3"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>An Invitation to Praise.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<CENTER>
<P>A psalm.</P>
</CENTER>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 O sing unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> a new song; for he hath
done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath
gotten him the victory.
&nbsp; 2 The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath made known his salvation: his righteousness
hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen.
&nbsp; 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.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
We are here called upon again to <I>sing unto the Lord a new song,</I>
as before,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+96:1">Ps. xcvi. 1</A>.
"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 <I>song of
songs.</I> A song of praise for redeeming love is a <I>new song,</I>
such a song as had not been sung before; for this is a mystery which
was hidden from ages and generations. Converts sing a <I>new song,</I>
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:--</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. The wonders he has wrought: <I>He has done marvellous things,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+98:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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 <I>done marvellous things;</I> it is all his
doing and it is <I>marvellous in our eyes.</I> The more it is known the
more it will be admired.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. The conquests he has won: <I>His right hand and his holy arm have
gotten him the victory.</I> 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 <I>spoiled principalities and powers</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+2:15">Col. ii. 15</A>),
has <I>taken the prey from the mighty</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+49:24">Isa. xlix. 24</A>),
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
<I>none to help, none to uphold,</I> none that durst venture into the
service; but his <I>right hand and his holy arm,</I> which are always
stretched out with good success, because they are never stretched out
but in a good cause, these have <I>gotten him the victory,</I> have
<I>brought him relief or deliverance.</I> God's power and faithfulness,
called here <I>his right hand and his holy arm,</I> 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.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
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--<I>the word which God sent,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+10:36">Acts x. 36</A>.
The <I>opening of the sealed book</I> is that which is to be celebrated
with songs of praise
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+5:8">Rev. v. 8</A>),
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,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+98:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
Righteousness and salvation are often put together; as
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+61:10,Isa+46:13,51:5,6,8">Isa. lxi. 10;
xlvi. 13; li. 5, 6, 8</A>.
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,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+1:17">Rom. i. 17</A>.
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: <I>All the ends of the earth have
seen the salvation of our God;</I> for to the Gentiles was the word of
salvation sent.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
IV. The accomplishment of the prophecies and promises of the Old
Testament, in this
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+98:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>):
<I>He has remembered his mercy and his truth towards the house of
Israel.</I> 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 <I>light to lighten the Gentiles,</I>
but <I>the glory of his people Israel;</I> for he sent him, in the
first place, to bless <I>them.</I> God is said, in sending Christ, to
<I>perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember the holy
covenant,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+1:72">Luke i. 72</A>.
It was in consideration of that, and not of their merit.</P>
<A NAME="Ps98_4"> </A>
<A NAME="Ps98_5"> </A>
<A NAME="Ps98_6"> </A>
<A NAME="Ps98_7"> </A>
<A NAME="Ps98_8"> </A>
<A NAME="Ps98_9"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>An Invitation to Praise.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>4 Make a joyful noise unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, all the earth: make a loud
noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
&nbsp; 5 Sing unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> with the harp; with the harp, and the
voice of a psalm.
&nbsp; 6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, the King.
&nbsp; 7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and
they that dwell therein.
&nbsp; 8 Let the floods clap <I>their</I> hands: let the hills be joyful
together
&nbsp; 9 Before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; for he cometh to judge the earth: with
righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with
equity.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
The setting up of the kingdom of Christ is here represented as a matter
of joy and praise.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. Let all the children of men rejoice in it, for they all have, or may
have, benefit by it. Again and again we are here called upon by all
ways and means possible to express our joy in it and give God praise
for it: <I>Make a joyful noise,</I> as before,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+95:1,2">Ps. xcv. 1, 2</A>.
<I>Make a loud noise,</I> as those that are affected with those glad
tidings and are desirous to affect others with them. <I>Rejoice and
sing praise,</I> sing <I>Hosannas</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+21:9">Matt. xxi. 9</A>),
sing <I>Hallelujahs,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+19:6">Rev. xix. 6</A>.
Let him be welcomed to the throne, as new kings are, with acclamations
of joy and loud shouts, till the earth ring again, as when Solomon was
proclaimed,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+1:40">1 Kings i. 40</A>.
And let the shouts of the crowd be accompanied with the <I>singers and
players on instruments</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+87:7,Ps+68:25">Ps. lxxvii. 7; lxvi. 25</A>),
as is usual in such solemnities.
1. Let sacred songs attend the new King: "<I>Sing praise, sing with the
voice of a psalm.</I> Express your joy; thus proclaim it, thus excite
it yet more, and thus propagate it among others."
2. Let these be assisted with sacred music, not only with the soft and
gentle melody of <I>the harp,</I> but since it is a victorious King
whose glory is to be celebrated, who goes forth conquering and to
conquer, let him be proclaimed with the martial sound of the
<I>trumpet</I> and <I>cornet,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+98:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
Let all this joy be directed to God, and expressed in a solemn
religious manner: <I>Make a joyful noise to the Lord,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+98:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
<I>Sing to the Lord,</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+98:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>);
do it <I>before the Lord, the King,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+98:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
Carnal mirth is an enemy to this holy joy. When David danced before the
ark he pleaded that <I>it was before the Lord;</I> and the piety and
devotion of the intention not only vindicated what he did, but
commended it. We must rejoice <I>before the Lord</I> whenever we draw
near to him
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:12">Deut. xii. 12</A>),
before <I>the Lord Jesus,</I> and before him, not only as the Saviour,
but as the King, the King of kings, the church's King, and our
King.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. Let the inferior creatures rejoice in it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+98:7-9"><I>v.</I> 7-9</A>.
This is to the same purport with what we had before
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+96:11-13">Ps. xcvi. 11-13</A>):
<I>Let the sea roar,</I> and let that be called, not as it used to be,
a <I>dreadful noise,</I> but a <I>joyful noise;</I> for the coming of
Christ, and the salvation wrought out by him, have quite altered the
property of the troubles and terrors of this world, so that when the
floods <I>lift up their voice, lift up their waves,</I> we must not
construe that to be the sea roaring against us, but rather rejoicing
with us. Let the <I>floods</I> express their joy, as men do when they
<I>clap their hands;</I> and let the hills, that trembled for fear
before God when he came down to give the law at Mount Sinai, dance for
joy before him when his gospel is preached and that word of the Lord
goes forth from Zion in a still small voice: <I>Let the hills be joyful
together before the Lord.</I> This intimates that the kingdom of Christ
would be a blessing to the whole creation; but that, as the inferior
creatures declare the glory of the Creator
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+19:1">Ps. xix. 1</A>),
so they declare the glory of the Redeemer, for by him all things not
only subsist in their being, but consist in their order. It intimates
likewise that the children of men would be wanting in paying their due
respects to the Redeemer, and therefore that he must look for his
honour from the sea and the floods, which would shame the stupidity and
ingratitude of mankind. And perhaps respect is here had to the <I>new
heavens</I> and the <I>new earth,</I> which we yet, according to his
promise, look for
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+3:13">2 Pet. iii. 13</A>),
and this second mention of his coming (after the like,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+96:1-13">Ps. xcvi.</A>)
may principally refer to his second coming, when all these things shall
be so dissolved as to be refined; then shall he come to <I>judge the
world with righteousness.</I> In the prospect of that day all that are
sanctified do rejoice, and even the sea, and the floods, and the hills,
would rejoice if they could. One would think that Virgil had these
psalms in his eye, as well as the oracles of the Cumean Sibyl, in his
fourth eclogue, where he either ignorantly or basely applies to Asinius
Pollio the ancient prophecies, which at that time were expected to be
fulfilled; for he lived in the reign of Augustus C&aelig;sar, a little
before our Saviour's birth. He owns they looked for the birth of a
child from heaven that should be a great blessing to the world, and
restore the golden age:--</P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE BORDER=0>
<TR><TD>Jam nova progenies c&oelig;lo demittitur alto--
<BR>
<BR>A new race descends from the lofty sky;
</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P>and that should take away sin:--</P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE BORDER=0>
<TR><TD>Te duce, si qua manent sceleris vestigia nostri,
<BR>Irrita perpetua solvent formidine terras--
<BR>
<BR>Thy influence shall efface every stain of corruption,
<BR>And free the world from alarm.
</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Many other things he says of this long-looked-for child, which
Ludovicus Vives, in his notes on that eclogue, thinks applicable to
Christ; and he concludes, as the psalmist here, with a prospect of the
rejoicing of the whole creation herein:--</P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE BORDER=0>
<TR><TD>Aspice, venturo l&aelig;tentur ut omnia s&aelig;clo--
<BR>
<BR>See how this promis'd age makes all rejoice.
</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P>And, if all rejoice, why should not we?</P>
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