Psalm 98 (97):2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Recently, we heard the Gospel, recounting the Lord's miraculous deeds. The only son of a widow, who had died, was carried away. Moved by compassion, the Lord halted the procession; as they laid him down, He declared, Young man, I say unto you, Arise (Luke 7:12-14). Truly, the Lord has done marvelous deeds. What are these wondrous acts? His right hand and His holy arm brought healing. What does it mean to refer to the Lord's holy arm? It signifies our Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah speaks of this: Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? (Isaiah 53:1). Thus, His holy hand and right hand refer to Him Himself. Consequently, our Lord Jesus Christ embodies the strength of God and His salvation, which is why it is stated that He healed for Him. It does not merely say that His right hand healed the world; it specifies healed for Him, because many are healed for their own benefit, not in service to Him. Look at how many desire that physical well-being and receive it from Him: they are healed through Him, but not for Him. How can they be healed by Him and not for Him? When they receive healing, they may become wayward; those who practiced purity in their suffering often turn to immorality upon recovery. Those who caused no harm while unwell may become ruthless once restored: they receive healing but not for Him. Who, then, is truly healed by Him? It is the one who experiences healing of the heart. Who is this inner healer? The one who trusts in Him, knowing that when made new inside, this mortal body, even after lengthy trials, can ultimately be restored to perfect health. Therefore, let us seek healing for His glory. To receive healing aimed at Him, we must place our trust in His power.

The Lord has disclosed His salvation (Psalm 96:2). This very right hand, strength, and salvation is our Lord Jesus Christ, as noted: ‘And all flesh shall see the salvation of God’ (Luke 3:6). Simeon, who held the child in his arms, proclaimed, ‘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 has He revealed it? Not to a select few, but to all. No one misleads, no one says, ‘Look, Christ is here or there’ (Matthew 24:23). Whoever makes such declarations points to specific locations. To whom has the Lord made known His salvation? Listen carefully: He has revealed His righteousness among the nations. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the right hand of God, representing His strength and truth.

He has remembered His mercy for Jacob and His faithfulness to the house of Israel (Psalm 96:3). What does it signify that He remembered mercy and truth? Out of His mercy, He made a promise; as that promise was fulfilled, truth emerged: mercy precedes the promise, and the promise is realized in truth. And what about His truth to Israel? Let us not think of a single nation; hear this: All the ends of the earth have witnessed the salvation of our God. The phrase does not limit to the whole earth, but proclaims all ends of the earth, unequivocally stated from one end to the next. Let no one attempt to diminish it; let no one scatter it: the unity in Christ is strong. He who has paid such a great price has gathered all—encompassing all ends of the earth.

As they witnessed, ‘Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth’ (Psalm 96:4). You already understand what a joyful noise is. Rejoice and proclaim loudly. If expressing joy is difficult, let your shout demonstrate your happiness; keep your heart from muteness about your God and His gifts. When you speak to yourself, you bring healing to your soul; if His right hand has restored you, acknowledge Him for whom your healing has come. Sing, rejoice, and craft a melody.

Sing unto the Lord with instruments, with the lyre and the voice of song (Psalm 96:5). Honor Him not just with words, but through actions, embodying both song and good works. The one who sings and acts harmonizes both on the lyre and with his deeds. Let us now consider the instruments mentioned in the psalm: with trumpets and the sound of horn. What do the pliable trumpets and horn signify? Pliable trumpets are fashioned from brass and shaped through hammering; if by the trials of life you become like these trumpets, expanding in the grace of God, remember that tribulation serves as a hammer, drawing you forth into His glory. Job exemplified this when he faced devastating loss and the death of his sons; through the heavy afflictions, he proclaimed, The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21). How beautifully he articulated his experience! Even now, that pliable trumpet is yet under the hammer. We have listened to its forging; let’s hear its harmonious voice: Shall we accept good from the hand of God, and shall we not also accept adversity? A loud and clear sound! Who can remain unmoved by such words? Who doesn’t wish to awaken from slumber, emboldened to confront the adversary, not relying on their strength but trusting the One who tests them? For He is the one who hammers; the hammer alone does not accomplish this.

Consider, dear ones, how even the Apostle endured such hammering. He stated, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Look at him under the hammer; listen to how he reacted: ‘Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would depart from me.’ And the Lord replied, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ The Creator desires to perfect His instrument and can only do so through refining trials. In weakness comes strength made complete. Hear now the flexible trumpet sound as it should: When I am weak, then I am strong.

What is the voice of the trumpet? It symbolizes rising above the carnal nature: to soar above the flesh, it must be firm and enduring, able to resonate. Where does this essence derive? From the triumph over the flesh. By overcoming it, one transcends bodily desires and earthly lusts. Listen to the trumpet calls. To concentrate one’s affections on the higher realities means to elevate beyond worldly concerns. Those He addresses have not yet attained this call; He states: I could not speak to you as to spiritual people, but as to carnal, as to infants in Christ. I fed you with milk and not solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able. For you are still fleshly. Thus, they were not trumpets yet, having not transcended their desires. The horn both remains grounded yet rises above; though it originates from the flesh, it surpasses it. Hence, if you have become spiritual after having been carnal, though your flesh treads this earth, your spirit ascends to heaven; even though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. Beloved, do not scold the brothers yet to be transformed by God’s grace; know that in doing so, you reflect earthly desires. A trumpet must be sweet to God’s ears. The trumpet of pride renders struggles meaningless. Let the trumpet of faith boost your resolve against the adversary; do not wield the trumpet of the flesh to stir up arrogance amongst brethren. Raise a joyful sound in the presence of the Lord, the King.

As you celebrate and enjoy the melody of trumpets and the sound of the horn, what follows? Let the sea roar, and all that is within it (Psalm 96:7). Dear ones, when the Apostles, as pliable trumpets and horns, proclaimed the truth, the sea became tumultuous; its waves surged, storms intensified, and the Church faced persecution. When did this happen? It was when the joyful shout rang out, when hymns of gratitude ascended before God: their joyful sounds delighted the Lord, and the sea’s waves lifted. Let the sea and all its fullness be stirred: the entire universe and all who inhabit it. Let the sea rise with persecution; let the rivers clap their hands (Psalm 96:8). The sea's agitation accompanies the rivers’ applause; as persecutions occur, the saints rejoice in God. What does it mean for rivers to clap their hands? It signifies rejoicing in actions. Clapping hands represents joy; thus, hands refer to deeds. What are the flowing rivers? Those whom God has filled with His life-giving Water, the Holy Spirit. ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink; he who believes in Me, from his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water’ (John 7:37-39). These rivers shall rejoice, carrying out works that glorify God. Even the hills shall join in joy.

Before the Lord, for He comes; for He will judge the earth (Psalm 96:9). The hills symbolize the mighty. The Lord arrives to judge the earth, and they rejoice. Nevertheless, there are hills that tremble at His coming as Judge. Thus, we distinguish between righteous hills, which represent spiritual greatness, and wicked hills, which signify the pride of life. Let the hills exult in the presence of the Lord, for He comes to judge the earth. For what reason does He come, and how will He arrive? He will judge in righteousness, imparting fairness to the world and humankind (Psalm 96:10). Therefore, let the hills rejoice, for His judgments are just. When a judge appears who cannot be swayed by deceit, even the innocent may fear if he aims to reward virtue or impose penalties; but when He who cannot be misled arrives, let the hills rejoice without trepidation; they will be illuminated by Him rather than condemned. Let them rejoice for the Lord will arrive to judge the world with righteousness, and if the hills of the righteous are elated, let the wicked be afraid. But take note; He has not yet come: why should they fear? Let them amend their actions and rejoice. It is in your hands how you await the coming of Christ. For this reason, He delays, to ensure that when He does come, He will not condemn you. Behold, He has not yet arrived; He is in heaven while you dwell on earth; He delays His return, so do not be sluggish in your understanding. His arrival may be daunting for the hardened yet gentle for the righteous. Therefore, reflect on your state: if you are hardhearted, you may soften; if you are gentle, rejoice now that He is coming, for you are a Christian. Yes, you affirm, I believe, and you pray, Thy kingdom come (Matthew 6:10). You yearn for His coming yet fear that very arrival. Amend your ways so that you may not pray against your own good.

As Athanasius states: Salvation equates to Saviour; thus, He is also referred to by Simeon: My eyes have seen Thy salvation. Cyril elaborates that salvation and righteousness denote Christ; for God the Father not only saved us through Him and in Him but also justified us through faith, overcoming the ruler of this world, as Athanasius notes, and justifying those who were never under his dominion. Didyma adds that the grace of the Lord is essential to perceive this sacrament; without it, understanding would be impossible.

The Psalm begins with a call to sing a fresh song to the Lord, celebrating His wondrous works, for His mighty hand has delivered Him and His holy arm. The phrase illustrates a particular type of gratitude towards God rather than a common acknowledgment. This becomes clear when we consider the following reason provided, which reveals that God has achieved our salvation in an extraordinary and unfathomable way upon the earth. After referencing miracles in general, the text specifies that God’s power has secured our salvation. This is encapsulated in the idea that humanity is rescued not through human efforts or the typical course of events, but in an unprecedented manner.

Isaiah echoes this sentiment in Isaiah 59:18, where he highlights this divine act of deliverance, noting that God observed our plight and, without hesitation, became the agent of salvation, rescuing with His mighty arm and establishing righteousness. In these instances, God’s strength is distinguished from ordinary natural means, which, while not negating His power, can obscure its visibility like a veil. Consequently, God refrained from conventional methods for the world’s salvation, choosing instead to intervene directly, showcasing that our deliverance is a remarkable expression of His grace. The Prophet fittingly concludes that such wondrous and unfathomable goodness from God deserves the highest praise and glorification.

In the second verse, this idea is articulated with even greater clarity, proclaiming that the Lord reveals His salvation, and His righteousness is made known among the nations. For who could have anticipated that those dwelling in darkness and the shadow of death would suddenly experience light, or that from the depths of sinfulness, they would encounter truth? It is important to recognize that the truth of God, from which humanity’s salvation emerges, is not merely the punishment for sin— as seen elsewhere— but rather a demonstration of God’s goodness, love, and truth, as we will explore further.

The imagery of pipes suggests a celebratory tone, with the act of splashing hands symbolizing joy during royal greetings. The continual coming and going implies a persistent, unbroken presence; even nature, in its entirety, is called to participate as the Sovereign Judge of the universe is exalted.

The new song serves as a celebration of the Nativity and Resurrection of Christ, highlighting the miraculous way in which He has redeemed humanity from sin through His Precious Blood. The right hand and the strength—divine power—of Christ enabled Him to rise from the dead and reign supreme. By His profound humanity, the right hand and strength of the Holy Father—Christ—rescued the guilty and lost servant through His sufferings.