Psalm 98 (97):4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What marvelous works are we referring to? Recently, we have heard the Gospel recounting the Lord’s miracles: a widow’s only son was carried to burial, and He, moved by compassion, commanded him to rise, saying, Young man, I say unto you, Arise (Luke 7:12-14). Truly, the Lord has accomplished incredible acts. What wonders, you ask? Listen: His right hand and His holy arm have brought salvation. Who is this holy arm? It is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember the words of Isaiah: Who has believed our report, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? (Isaiah 53:1). Therefore, His holy arm and right hand refer to Himself. Our Lord Jesus Christ embodies the arm of God and His salvation; that is why it is articulated, He has healed for Him. It is noteworthy that it does not merely state: His right hand healed the world; it emphasizes healed for Him, for many receive healing for their own sake, rather than for Him. Consider how many long for physical health and receive it from Him: they are healed by Him, yet not for His purpose. In what manner do they receive healing from Him yet not for Him? Upon restoration, those who were once pure may indulge in impure actions; those who harmed none during their affliction, once healed, may turn against the righteous. They experience healing, but not for His glory. The one who is truly healed by Him is the one who undergoes an inner transformation. Who is the one transformed internally? It is the one who puts their trust in Him, knowing that when they are cleansed within, they can also hope for restoration to perfect health in their mortal body, which has suffered. Let us therefore seek healing for His sake, and to do so, let us place our faith in His right hand.

The Lord has made His salvation known, as indicated in Psalm 96:2. This very right hand, this embodiment of strength, this salvation is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it is spoken: And all flesh shall see the salvation of God (Luke 3:6). The righteous Simeon, who held the child in his arms, proclaimed, Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace; for my eyes have seen Your salvation (Luke 2:28-30). The Lord revealed His salvation. To whom did He reveal it? Was it to a fraction or to the entirety? It was not specifically to any segment. No one is misleading, no one is falsely declaring, “‘Look, Christ is here or there” (Matthew 24:23). The one who says, “Look, He is here or there,” points toward specific locations. Who then has received the Lord’s proclamation of salvation? Hear the subsequent words: He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ embodies the right hand of God, the strength of God, the salvation of God, and the truth of God.

He remembered His mercy towards Jacob and His faithfulness to the house of Israel, as stated in Psalm 96:3. What does it signify that He remembered His mercy and truth? His mercy led to a promise; following the promise came the fulfillment in truth. Mercy preceded the promise, and the promise was realized in truth. And His faithfulness to the house of Israel: who is Israel? Do not restrict your understanding to the Jewish nation alone; understand that all the ends of the earth have witnessed the salvation of our God. It does not simply say “the whole earth,” but emphasizes “all the ends of the earth,” illustrating a completeness from one end to the other. Let no one diminish this; let no one scatter it; the unity found in Christ remains strong. He who paid such a great price redeemed everything: all the ends of the earth.

Because they recognized it, cry out to the Lord, all the earth (Psalm 96:4). You are familiar with a joyful shout. Exult and proclaim it! If you cannot find the words to convey your joy, let your shout express it; joy must not be silent. Keep your heart vocal about your God and His gifts. When you declare it to yourself, you heal yourself; if His right hand has restored your health for His glory, make known for whose sake you have been made whole. Sing, rejoice, and create a melody.

Praise the Lord on the harp; play the harp and with the voice of praise, as stated in Psalm 96:5. Honor Him not just through your voice; accompany it with actions, ensuring you not only vocalize but also put forth effort. He who sings and acts sings on the harp and the psalter, creating a melody with both voice and instrument. Now, let us turn to the instruments mentioned next: with the joyful trumpets and the sound of the horn (Psalm 96:6). What do joyful trumpets and horn pipes signify? Joyful trumpets are made from brass and shaped by hammering; if through hardship you become a joyful trumpet raised to honor God, then tribulation serves as the hammer, and transformation emerges from it. Job was a joyful trumpet, facing profound loss and mourning for his sons; in the midst of adversity, he proclaimed, The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21). How beautifully he spoke! That joyous trumpet remains under the hammer. We’ve heard it shaped; let us listen for its sweet sound: Will we only receive good from God’s hand and not suffer as well? What a moving sound! Who would remain asleep upon hearing it? Who would not yearn to awaken and bravely confront the enemy, empowered not by their strength but by the One who tests them? For He shapes us; the hammer alone cannot accomplish this. Witness how even the Apostle faced his trial with God’s hammer: A thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). He, too, was under the hammer; let us hear his response: For this reason, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness. The Creator of his being desires to perfect this trumpet; He cannot achieve this without shaping it; in weakness, strength is perfected. Now hear the voice of that transformed trumpet: When I am weak, then I am strong.

What of the voice of the trumpet? The horn rises above earthly concerns; to do so, it must possess endurance and strength to resonate. Where does this strength originate? From its ability to transcend the flesh. Whoever desires to be a horn must conquer worldly desires and overcome the lustful inclinations of the flesh. Listen to the sound of the joyful trumpets. What does it mean to fix your affections on higher things? It means transcending earthly matters, not being consumed by carnal interests. They were not yet joyful trumpets when He spoke to them: I could not speak to you as to spiritual individuals, but took up the base matters, as unto babes in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food; for you were not able to endure it until now, nor are you able to still. For you are still lacking in spiritual growth. Thus, they were not yet joyful trumpets; they remained trapped in fleshly concerns. The horn both clings to flesh and rises above it; although it originates from flesh, it lifts itself above it. Consequently, if you are now spiritual, as opposed to your past state of carnality; though the flesh desires earthly things, your spirit soars heavenward. Though we walk in the flesh, we do not engage in battles after the flesh.

Brethren, do not chastise those who remain in their former selves; understand that doing so may involve a struggle with your own nature. The sound that pleases God is not of a boastful trumpet: a proud trumpet undermines fruitful efforts. Allow the trumpet of courage against adversities to arise; do not allow the trumpet of the flesh to incite pride among your brethren. Let your joyful noise resonate before the Lord, the King.

While rejoicing and delighting in the sound of trumpets and the joyful voice, note what follows: Let the sea roar, and everything that fills it (Psalm 96:7). Brethren, when the Apostles acted as joyful trumpets proclaiming truth, the sea was agitated, its waves rose, and storms intensified, leading to persecution of the Church. When did the sea grow restless? When joyful shouts were heard, when hymns of gratitude were sung to God, and His ears were filled with joy, causing the waves of the sea to rise. Let the sea and everything in it shake; the universe and all who dwell within it. Let the sea be stirred up amidst its persecutions. Let the rivers clap their hands (Psalm 96:8). Let the sea be stirred, and the rivers rejoice; facing persecutions, the saints exult in God. From where do the rivers clap their hands? The clapping of hands symbolizes rejoicing in actions. To clap hands is to celebrate; thus, hands symbolize deeds. What are the floods? Those whom God has enriched by blessing them with His Holy Spirit. If anyone is thirsty, the Lord says, come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, streams of living water will flow from their heart (John 7:37-39). These rivers will rejoice, taking joy in their deeds, honoring God. The mountains, too, will celebrate together.

Before the Lord, for He is coming; He is coming to judge the earth (Psalm 96:9). The mountains represent the mighty. The Lord comes to judge the earth, and they exult. However, there are mountains that tremble when the Lord comes to judge the earth. Thus, there are good and bad mountains; the good are represented by spiritual greatness, whereas the bad symbolize the swelling of pride. Let the mountains rejoice together before the Lord, for He is coming; He will judge the world justly (Psalm 96:10). Thus, let the mountains rejoice; for He will judge justly. When a judge arrives to whom guilt cannot be hidden, even the innocent may feel fear, fearing the penalty of sin or hoping for a reward for good. When He, who cannot be misled, arrives, let the mountains rejoice without dread; they will be enlightened, not condemned; they shall rejoice because the Lord approaches to judge the world in justice. If the mountains of justice rejoice, let those guilty shake in fear. Yet, behold, He has not yet arrived: why should they tremble? Let them mend their ways and rejoice. Your attitude towards awaiting Christ's return is in your hands. His delay in arriving enables a chance to avoid condemnation. He currently resides in Heaven, you are on earth; He awaits when each might rectify their behavior and rejoice. Recognize now who you are: if you have a hardened heart, you may be softened; if gentle, rejoice in His imminent arrival. For you are a Christian. Yes, you say; I believe, you pray, desiring His kingdom to come (Matthew 6:10). Nonetheless, you wish for the coming of the One whose coming you fear. Transform yourselves, so you do not pray against your own interests.

Certain Greek manuscripts suggest reading 'αυτον', meaning that His help is evident to all (v.2) and benevolent (v.3). This expression of thanks should resonate universally (v.4) and be as grand as possible (vv.5-6). The phrase about "pipes wrought" alludes to instruments of metal, while the act of splashing hands signifies joy, a common gesture in royal greetings (2 Samuel 11:12). The notions of coming and going must be understood as a continuous action; even nature, in its most irrational state, must join in this celebration (v.8), as the Just One of all the earth is exalted (v.9).

The new song expresses gratitude for the Nativity and Resurrection of Christ, marveling at how He has redeemed humanity from sin through His Precious Blood. The right hand and might—the divine strength of Christ—enabled Him to rise from the dead and reign. By His immense humanity, the right hand and might of the holy Father—Christ saved the sinful and lost servant through His sufferings.