Psalm 98 (97):1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What are these remarkable acts? Recently, the Gospel was proclaimed, revealing the wonders of the Lord. The only son of a widow was carried out dead. The Lord, filled with compassion, halted the procession; they placed him down, and the Lord proclaimed, Young man, I say unto you, arise (Luke 7:12-14). Truly, the Lord has performed wonderful deeds. What wondrous events? Be attentive: His right hand and His holy arm have healed him. What does His holy arm signify? It is our Lord Jesus Christ. As Isaiah states: Who has believed our report, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? (Isaiah 53:1). Consequently, His holy arm and His right hand refer to Him. Hence, our Lord Jesus Christ represents the arm of God and His right hand; this is why it is mentioned that He healed for Him. It is not merely stated: His right hand healed the creation, but healed for Him, because many are healed for their own benefit and not for Him. Observe how many seek physical healing and receive it from Him: they are healed by Him but not for His glory. In what way are they healed by Him but not for Him? When they are restored to health, they may abandon their virtue; those who were pure during their affliction can become immoral when healed; those who harmed no one while suffering might shortly thereafter hurt the innocent: they are indeed healed, but not for Him. Who is truly healed by Him? The one who experiences inner healing. Who is that person? The one who places their trust in Him, believing that, once inwardly healed and transformed into a new creation, even this mortal body, weakened for a time, can ultimately be restored to its perfect state. Therefore, let us seek healing for the sake of Christ. To accomplish this, we must trust in His right hand.

The Lord has made known His salvation (Psalm 96:2). This very right hand, this mighty arm, this salvation is our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it is stated: all flesh shall see the salvation of God (Luke 3:6), and to whom Simeon, after holding the child, declared: Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace; for my eyes have seen Your salvation (Luke 2:28-30). The Lord unveiled His salvation. To whom did He reveal it? To a part or to the whole? Not to a specific section. No one betrays, no one deceives, no one asserts, "Look, Christ is here or there" (Matthew 24:23). Such assertions draw focus to particular locations. To whom has the Lord disclosed His salvation? Hear the next part: He has openly shown His righteousness to the nations. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the right hand of God, His mighty arm, His salvation, and His truth.

He remembered His mercy to Jacob and His faithfulness to the house of Israel (Psalm 96:3). What is meant by He remembered His mercy and truth? His mercy prompted a promise; as He fulfilled His promise, truth followed. Mercy came before the promise, and the promise was realized in truth. And His faithfulness to the house of Israel—who comprises Israel? Do not limit your understanding to a single nation of Jews; realize that all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. It does not merely state the whole earth but all the ends of the world, as if saying, from one end to the other. Let no one diminish this truth; let no one disperse it; strong is the unity in Christ. He who paid such a high price has redeemed all things: all the ends of the world.

All the earth should rejoice before the Lord (Psalm 96:4). You are already familiar with what it means to make a joyful noise. Be glad and express your joy. If words fail you, shout, allowing the shout to convey your joy; your heart must not be silent about your God or His gifts. Speak to yourself; in doing so, you heal yourself. If His right hand has healed you for His glory, tell Him for whose sake you were healed. Sing, rejoice, and craft a song.

Praise the Lord with the lyre; with the lyre and the melody of song (Psalm 96:5). Honor Him not just with your voice; engage in deeds as well, so your expression is not only vocal but also active. The one who sings and works praises with the lyre and the voice. Let us now contemplate the instruments mentioned next in the imagery: with the sound of trumpets and the blast of the horn (Psalm 96:6). What do we make of trumpets and horn pipes? Brass trumpets, formed through hammering, symbolize our refinement through trials; through adversity, we are shaped for the glory of God. Tribulation acts as a hammer, while improvement signifies the shaping process. Job exemplified this refining process when he lost his possessions and suffered the death of his children, becoming like a trumpet as he proclaimed, The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21). How uplifting is the sound of his voice! That trumpet still undergoes the shaping process. We have heard it shaped; now let us listen attentively for its beautiful tone. Shall we only accept good from the hand of God and not also accept adversity? What a resonant and delightful sound! Who would not be stirred awake by this tone? Who would not be encouraged to fearlessly face the spiritual battles that lie ahead? It is not by their own strength that they will overcome, but through Him who tests them, for He is the one who shapes them. For the hammer cannot accomplish this task by itself; consider, if I may assert this, that even the Apostle was molded by this hammer as he wrote: A thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Look how he himself is under the hammer; listen to him express: For this reason, I sought the Lord three times to take it from me. And He replied, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. I, says his Creator, desire to perfect this trumpet, and I can only achieve this if I hammer it; in weakness, strength becomes complete. Listen to how the finely tuned trumpet resonates: When I am weak, then I am strong.

What does the tone of the trumpet signify? The horn rises above the flesh; to do so, it must be firm, enduring, and capable of being heard. And what causes this elevation? It stems from overcoming the flesh. Anyone aspiring to be like a horn must conquer their fleshly desires and lusts. Hear the tone of the trumpets. What does it mean to elevate one's affections to higher places? It signifies rising above worldly matters; do not dwell on fleshly desires. The individuals who received this message were not yet horned instruments; they had to be spoken to as to carnal beings, mere infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it, and even now, you are still not capable (1 Corinthians 3:1-2). They had not yet matured into spiritual trumpets, as they failed to lift themselves above the flesh. A horn both clings to the flesh and transcends it; even though it arises from the flesh, it reaches beyond it. Therefore, if you are spiritual, having moved beyond your former carnal state, though the flesh may hold you down, your spirit can ascend to heavenly realms. Though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. Beloved, do not criticize those among the brethren whom God's grace has yet to reach. In doing so, you partake of the flesh. The trumpet that pleases God's ear is not one of boasting; the sound of pride renders warfare ineffective. Let the horn of the trumpet inspire you against the evil one; do not let fleshly pride stir hostility against your fellow believers. Lift up a joy-filled proclamation in the presence of the Lord our King.

As you rejoice in the sounds of the trumpets and the voice of the horn, consider what follows: Let the sea roar, and all therein (Psalm 96:7). When the Apostles, serving as molded instruments, preached the truth, the sea became unsettled; its waves surged, storms intensified, and the Church faced persecution. Where did the sea become troubled? When the joyful sounds rang out, and psalms of gratitude ascended to God: His ears were delighted, and the sea's waves increased in response. Let the sea and all that it contains be stirred; may the universe and all who dwell in it rise. Let the sea be agitated amidst persecution. Let the rivers clap their hands (Psalm 96:8). Let the sea be stirred, and let the rivers applaud; as troubles arise, the saints find rejoicing in God. From where do the rivers clap their hands? What does it mean to clap hands? It signifies rejoicing in action. Clapping hands denotes joy; thus, hands represent our deeds. Who are the floods? They are those God transformed into surging waters by giving them the Holy Spirit. If anyone thirsts, He states, come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture says, will have rivers of living water flow from within them (John 7:37-39). These rivers will rejoice and bless God through their works. And the mountains will join in joyful celebration.

Before the Lord, for He has come to judge the earth (Psalm 96:9). The hills symbolize those in positions of greatness. The Lord arrives to judge the earth, and they rejoice. However, some hills shall tremble at His coming. Thus, there are hills of virtue and hills of pride; good hills represent spiritual greatness while bad hills signify arrogance. Let the hills rejoice together before the Lord; for He has come to judgment. For what purpose will He come, and how shall His coming be? He will judge all with righteousness, the universe and its inhabitants with equity (Psalm 96:10). Therefore, let the hills rejoice, for He will not render a judgment devoid of justice. When a judge arrives whose conscience is unknown, even the innocent may tremble, fearing a reward for virtue or a penalty for wrong; but when He who cannot be deceived comes, let the hills rejoice without fear; they will be illuminated by Him and not condemned. Let them celebrate, for the Lord will judge the world fairly; if those righteous hills rejoice, let the wicked tremble. But, behold, He has not yet come; what reason have they to tremble? They should amend their ways and rejoice. The choice of how to await the coming of Christ lies within your control. He delays His coming so that, upon His arrival, He does not condemn you. Behold, He is still in heaven, while you remain on earth; His arrival is deferred, so do not be slow to find wisdom. His coming may be daunting to the hard-hearted, yet gentle for the righteous. Now, assess your own condition: if your heart is hardened, allow it to be softened; if you are gentle, then rejoice now in anticipation of His coming. Because you identify as a Christian, you assert your belief and pray, Thy kingdom come (Matthew 6:10), desiring the arrival of the One whose coming you fear. Therefore, adjust your ways to ensure you do not pray against your own interests.

"For He hath wrought miracles." He performed wondrous acts among the Jewish people: healing the paralytic, cleansing lepers, raising the deceased. Other prophets have done similar deeds. He multiplied bread to feed the hungry crowds; Elisha performed similar feats. Yet, what did He do that was new, warranting the new song? Would you like clarity on this? God assumed the form of a mortal so that humanity could have life. The Son of God was crucified to lead us to paradise. "For He wrought miracles." Are you curious about the reason? Recall the widow’s son who lay dead. Elisha entered, humbled himself, placed his mouth on the boy's mouth, his hand on the boy's hand, his feet on the boy's feet. By lowering himself, the widow's son could return to life. The prophet exerted himself to bring him back. Though Christ mirrored God's image, He embraced humanity's form and humbled Himself for our elevation. "His right hand hath saved Himself." This echoes the psalmist's words: God saved humanity—not strangers, but His own creation. He redeemed that which He formed. Man, created for goodness, fell to passions. Yet Christ's death was so that His right hand could rescue humanity for Himself. In this context, "hand" represents "strength," while "muscle" signifies "fortress." "And the muscle of His holy one." While Christ is referred to as both the right hand and the muscle— "the right hand of God made strength" (Psalms 117:16); "and His muscle to whom is it revealed?" (Isaiah 53:1)—these references denote His strength, embodying the might of the Lord.

Out of profound compassion, the Lord regards human life as a treasure. Thus, the Prophet did not say, 'His right hand will save them,' but rather, 'Save them by Him.' For after liberating them from the allure of idolatry and revealing the greatness of His kingdom, He instructed them in salvation. This is further clarified by the Prophet in the continuation.

The Lord has performed astonishing deeds; indeed, what could be more miraculous than God becoming incarnate while also accomplishing other wondrous acts, including His passion, as recorded in the sacred Gospel? Hence, this calls for a new song to celebrate these awe-inspiring works. Cyril remarks on the extraordinary act of conquering death and restoring life to humanity. Not only is Israel liberated as it was under Moses, but the entire world receives salvation. "His right hand and His holy arm have saved it." This divine intervention has redeemed His servants who were in bondage to sin; the term "His right hand" symbolizes divine assistance, while "His holy arm" reflects strength. Psalm 43 states, "Thy right hand and Thy muscle." In certain texts, it reads, “His right hand saved him,” referring to the lost soul; it is indeed remarkable that the Sovereign of all has redeemed a sinner through His sufferings. Theodoret, Cyril, Athanasius, Eusebius, and Euthymius maintain that He saved him, with some saying it is written as “saved him.” According to the Divine Cyril, Christ is the right hand of the Father, the Creator and architect of all, who returned to present heavenly treasures to the Father. Athanasius expresses similar sentiments. Theodoret states that the hand symbolizes action, with the right hand representing righteous action, signifying that the purpose of His might is human salvation. In His vast humanity, He regards human life as integral to Himself, which is why it is stated not as "His right hand saved them," but “He saved them,” emphasizing His role in freeing them from the folly of idol worship and revealing the greatness of His kingdom. Cyril further explains that the all-sufficient right hand of the Father has secured salvation both for Him and for the Father—specifically, salvation for all beneath the heavens. Eusebius concludes that it is indeed the right hand of God that guides those it leads toward eternal joy. Not all who experience salvation do so through the Lord God; rather, it is those who are liberated from evils and passions by righteous wisdom, who accept the knowledge of the truth with piety.

The foundation for this new song lies in the marvelous deeds accomplished by God, as Simmachus interpreted, miraculous in nature. What might these miraculous deeds be? “His right hand and His holy arm have gotten Him the victory.” What makes this deed remarkable is the profound despair faced by humanity due to overwhelming wickedness. As a result, Isaiah remarks: "The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint; from the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds and bruises and putrefying sores are not closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment” (Isaiah 1:5-6). In a similar vein, David states: "They are all gone aside; they are all together become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Psalm 14:3). This dire condition of humanity necessitated the intervention of the right hand and the arm of God, referring to His Only Begotten Son, as both titles signify Him, with Isaiah proclaiming: "He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm" (Isaiah 40:11). The psalmist rightly refers to Him as holy to illustrate His true nature. He came to redeem the lost, not to condemn the world, but to bring salvation to it (John 3:17). The prophet’s reference to the arrival of the Only Begotten, who alone can redeem humankind, is supported by Isaiah’s words: "In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them" (Isaiah 63:9), alongside the psalm’s further declaration: "The Lord hath made known His salvation: His righteousness hath He openly showed in the sight of the heathen.”

In the conclusion, it is proclaimed to sing a new song to the Lord, marveling at the works He has done: His right hand has brought salvation, along with His holy arm. The Lord has made His saving power known; He has unveiled His righteousness before the nations. These statements express not just ordinary gratitude, but a profound and special thanksgiving towards God. This becomes clear when considering the subsequent rationale, illustrating that God has achieved our salvation in a wondrous and unfathomable way upon the earth. After addressing miracles in general, the text pivots to specify that God has secured our salvation through His might, which refers to humanity itself, due to His right hand and holy power. This indicates that the Church, or all of humankind, was saved not by human effort or through the typical processes of the world, but in a manner unprecedented. Isaiah 59:18 similarly exalts this miracle, stating that He saw and did not hesitate to deliver, saving them through His might and upholding them with His righteousness. Here, the strength of God contrasts with ordinary natural means, which, while not diminishing God's power, veil its true appearance. Thus, God did not employ conventional methods for the world's salvation; instead, He Himself intervened so that the miraculous nature of our salvation could be evident as a testament to His goodness. The prophet appropriately concludes that this astonishing and unfathomable goodness of God merits the utmost thanksgiving and glorification. The second verse emphasizes this clarity, asserting that the Lord reveals His salvation and His righteousness to the nations. Who could have imagined that those dwelling in darkness and the shadow of death would suddenly witness the light and discover truth amid profound sinfulness? It is important to note that the truth of God, which has birthed the salvation of humanity, is not merely retribution for sins, as it is interpreted elsewhere, but rather a testament to His goodness, love, and truth, which we shall explore further.

Various Greek manuscripts also reflect the interpretation of ‘Him.’ The assistance of God is clearly evident (v.2) and marked by grace (v.3). This call to thanksgiving should resonate universally (v.4) and should be expressed in a manner that reflects His grandeur (vv.5-6). The pipes mentioned are of metal, while the act of splashing one’s hands is a joyful greeting often seen in royal contexts (4 Samuel 11:12). The ‘coming and going’ signifies an unending cycle of praise, extending even to creation itself (v.8), as the ultimate Judge of all is exalted (v.9).

This aligns with Ezekiel's prophecy, who proclaimed long after David: “And I will raise up for them a shepherd, My servant David.” The new song serves as a celebration of the Nativity and Resurrection of Christ, marvelously renewing humanity from sin through His Precious Blood. The “right hand” and “muscle” refer to the divine power of Christ, through which He overcame death and reigns supreme. In His boundless humanity, the "right hand" and "muscle" of the holy Father saved the sinful and lost servant through His sufferings.