Psalm 98 (97):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Sing to the Lord a fresh melody, as stated in Psalm 97:1. The transformed person recognizes this, while the untransformed soul remains unaware. The untransformed existence comes from Adam, but the renewed existence is birthed in Christ. This psalm calls upon the entirety of creation to offer a new song. In another passage, it is articulated, Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth; reminding those who have distanced themselves from the global community that they cannot partake in this new melody, as it is meant to be sung in unison, not as an individual. Observe here as it is declared. When the entire earth is invited to sing a new song, it implies that creation as a whole rejoices. For He has accomplished wondrous deeds. What kind of wondrous deeds? Recently we have heard the Gospel and witnessed the miraculous works of the Lord. His only son to a grieving widow was brought to rest in death; with compassion, the Lord made the mourners pause; they laid him down, and the Lord exclaimed, Young man, I say unto you, Arise. Luke 7:12-14 ... The Lord has indeed performed marvelous acts. What marvelous acts? Pay attention: His right hand and His holy arm have delivered him. What is the holy arm of the Lord? It is our Lord Jesus Christ. Reflect on Isaiah: Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Isaiah 53:1 Hence, His holy arm and His right hand refer to Himself. Thus, our Lord Jesus Christ embodies the arm of God and the right hand of God; this explains why it reads, He has healed for Him. It does not merely state that His right hand healed the world, but healed for Him, as many are healed for their own sake, rather than for Him. Observe how numerous are those who yearn for physical restoration and receive it from Him; they are indeed healed by Him, yet not for Him. In what way are they healed by Him but not for Him? Upon receiving their healing, they often become indulgent; those who were virtuous in their affliction may turn to immorality upon recovery; individuals who acted kindly while suffering may become oppressors when restored: they are healed, but not for Him. Who is truly healed by Him? The one who experiences inward healing. Who is the one healed inwardly? The one who puts their faith in Him, knowing that upon their inward healing and transformation into a new creation, even this earthly body, long afflicted, may ultimately be restored to its greatest health. Therefore let us seek healing for His sake. And to be healed for His sake, let us place our trust in His right hand.

The Lord has manifested His salvation, as stated in Psalm 96:2. This very right hand, this very arm, this very salvation represents our Lord Jesus Christ, concerning whom it is proclaimed: ‘And all flesh shall see the salvation of God’; Luke 3:6. Even Simeon, who held the child in his arms, expressed: ‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace; for my eyes have seen your salvation.’ Luke 2:28-30 The Lord unveiled His salvation. To whom was it revealed? Was it to a portion or to the entirety? Not to any particular faction. No one betrays, fools, or states, ‘Look, Christ is here or there’: Matthew 24:23. The person claiming, ‘Look, He is here or there’ refers to specific places. To whom has the Lord made His salvation known? Listen to what follows: He has disclosed His righteousness openly to the nations. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the right hand of God, the arm 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, according to Psalm 96:3. What does it signify that He remembered His mercy and truth? He had mercy, thus He made a promise; mercy ushered in the promise, which was verified through truth. His mercy came before the promise, followed by truth. ... And His faithfulness to the house of Israel. Who is Israel? Do not confine your thoughts to a single nation of Jews, listen instead: All the extremities of the earth have witnessed the salvation of our God. It does not say the entirety of the earth, but all the extremities of the earth, as it is expressed, from one end to the other. Let no one divide it, let none scatter it; strong is the unity in Christ. He who paid such a steep price redeemed all things: All the extremities of the earth.

For they have observed, ‘Cry out to the Lord, all the earth’ as found in Psalm 96:4. You already comprehend what a joyful noise signifies. Rejoice and speak out. If you cannot articulate your delight, let your shout express your joy; let your heart not remain silent about your God or His blessings. If you speak truthfully to yourself, you will find healing; if His right hand has healed you for His sake, then tell Him for Whose sake you are restored. Sing, rejoice, and create melodies.

Sing to the Lord with the stringed instrument; on the stringed instrument and with the voice of the psalm, as reflected in Psalm 96:5. Praise Him not solely with your voice; engage in actions that harmonize with your song. He who sings and works harmonizes with the stringed instrument and with the psaltery. Now, let us examine the next instruments referenced in this imagery: with pliable trumpets, and with the sound of the horn, as mentioned in Psalm 96:6. What do pliable trumpets and horn instruments represent? Pliable trumpets are crafted from brass: they are shaped using hammers; if through hammering and being struck you are molded as pliable trumpets, raised for the glory of God, if you advance through trials: tribulation becomes the hammer, and growth the shaping. Job was a pliable trumpet; when he faced the profound loss of his sons, he became like a pliable trumpet through that tremendous affliction and declared, The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21 How did he express this? How melodious was the sound of his voice! That pliable trumpet remains under the hammer... We have heard it hammered; let us listen to its pleasing tone: What! shall we receive good from the hand of God, and shall we not accept adversity? O brave, sweet sound! Who would not awaken from slumber at this melody? Who does not wish to believe that God will empower them to rise fearlessly in conflict with evil? To engage, not in their strength, but in the strength of Him who tests them. For it is He who hammers: the hammer cannot accomplish it on its own... Observe how, as I dare to articulate, even the Apostle faced this very hammer: I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to oppress me. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Behold, he is under the hammer; listen to him as he speaks: ‘For this reason, he said, I prayed to the Lord three times that it might depart from me.’ And He replied, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. I, says his Creator, seek to perfect this trumpet; I cannot accomplish this without hammering it; in weakness, strength attains fullness. Now hear how the pliable trumpet itself sounds: When I am weak, then I am strong...

The voice of the trumpet, what does it signify? The horn rises above the flesh: to ascend beyond the flesh, it must be firm, enduring, and able to proclaim. And where does it originate from? It arises because it has transcended the flesh. Whoever desires to be a hornpipe must overcome the flesh. What does it signify to overcome the flesh? It means to transcend its desires, to conquer fleshly temptations. Listen to the horn instruments... What is meant by concentrating your affection on the heights? It signifies ascending above the flesh; do not focus on worldly matters. To whom He spoke as follows: I could not address you, brothers, as to spiritual matters, but as to fleshly matters, as to infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, nor are you able now. For you are still carnal. Thus, they were not horned instruments, as they had not risen above the flesh. The horn both clings to and rises beyond the flesh; although it originates from flesh, it surpasses it. Therefore, if you are spiritually minded, while previously you were carnal; though in the flesh you tread the earth, by the Spirit you ascend to heavenly realms; for though we walk in the flesh, we do not engage according to the flesh... Brethren, do not admonish those among you whom the grace of God has yet to transform; be aware that in doing so, you partake in the flesh. It is not a trumpet that delights the ears of God: the trumpet of arrogance yields ineffective warfare. Let the trumpet horn buoy your spirit against the devil; let not the trumpet of the flesh stir pride against your brother. Lift up a joyful noise in the presence of the Lord, our King.

While you rejoice and enjoy the sound of the trumpets and the voice of the horn, what follows? Let the sea roar, and everything it contains. Psalm 96:7. Brethren, when the Apostles, as pliable trumpets and horns, proclaimed the truth, the sea was stirred; its waves surged, storms grew, and the Church faced persecution. When did the sea grow restless? When the joyful noise resounded, when psalms of gratitude were sung before God: the ears of God were rejoiced, and the sea’s waves rose. Let the sea and all it encompasses be stirred: the universe and all its inhabitants. Let the sea rise amid persecution. Let the rivers clap their hands, Psalm 96:8. Let the sea roar, and the rivers celebrate; when persecutions arise, the saints find joy in God. Where do the rivers clap their hands? What is this clapping of hands? It is the exultation in deeds. To clap hands signifies rejoicing; hands denote works. What are the floods? Those whom God transformed into floods by bestowing upon them this Water, the Holy Spirit. If anyone thirsts, He says, come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:37-39 These rivers will celebrate; these rivers will rejoice in good works and glorify God. The mountains will also join in their rejoicing.

Let the ocean and its completion be shaken. The term 'ocean' refers to this current existence, in light of the painful burdens it carries. Consequently, it will be relocated from its previous position, namely, the worship of false gods.

Let the ocean be stirred, and let the unpalatable waters be transformed into something refreshing. Even Marah was turned from bitterness to sweetness. The only thing that rendered its sour waters acceptable was the wood of the cross cast into them. It seems to me that the bitter sea represents the law of Moses, with 'Marah' signifying bitterness. The harsh waters of the Old Covenant were sweetened by the wood of the Cross (see Exodus 15:25).

Simmachus presents it as follows: Let the sea along with its completion, the world, and its inhabitants raise their voices. The realization of the prophecy is most evident in bustling cities; for the assembly of righteous individuals within the congregations resembles a tumultuous sea. Their songs are compared to this. Furthermore, as translated by the seventy, the prophetic message illustrates the dynamics and transformations of those living in both the sea and the land; for what is in motion is stirred, and that which experiences change is set into action.

Sing, he proclaims, triumphant melodies to Christ the King, the victorious one over the adversary. Consequently, let the sea be stirred, signifying a joyful commotion, as similarly expressed in Psalm 95, which articulates: "Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea and all that fills it roar" (Psalms 95:11). Thus, it is beneficial to explore the meaning behind these words. Some interpret that which fills the sea as the fish that inhabit it, depicted in a personified manner, rejoicing in their delight. Athanasius remarked that the sea symbolizes our present existence, characterized by the challenges of daily life. This represents a departure from former states, particularly idolatry. Theodoret emphasizes that we can notably witness the realization of this prophecy in bustling cities where the assembly of devout nations is akin to a restless sea. This spirit is mirrored in the voices of those who sing.

The sea, representing its inhabitants, finds itself in a state of pause, reflecting on its victory as we have previously mentioned. This hesitation, however, may also stem from a sense of awe in the face of the wonders that the Lord has performed, such as accepting not only the Lord who walked upon its waters but also Peter. Furthermore, at the command of Jesus, it yielded a fish that contained a statyr (Matthew 14:25 and Matthew 17:26). This reasoning similarly applies to the entire creation and its creatures. The wondrous acts of Christ and the prophets managed to resonate through it, and indeed, the very earth trembled during the prayers of the apostles, as recounted by Luke, who tells us that it quaked repeatedly (Acts 4:31 and Acts 16:26).

In this passage, the author reiterates the encouragement introduced at the outset of the psalm, directing it toward the Gentiles to emphasize the unity of the church across the globe. He conveys the message that God, following the decline of medieval divisions, will unite all believers in a common faith. By referencing musical instruments, he aligns himself with contemporary practices without imposing ancient rituals on the Gentiles. Through the repeated use of certain verbs, he illustrates that despite humanity's efforts to honor the Savior, no expression of praise can truly match the magnitude of His mercy. This is further highlighted by the Prophet’s attribution of emotion to lifeless objects. However, since this entire context has been clearly explained by the Indus, we shall refrain from delving into extensive details here.

This psalm closely resembles Psalm 95, as seen in the parallels between Psalms 95:1 and Psalms 97:1, as well as Psalms 95:11-13 and Psalms 97:7-8. It celebrates the remarkable assistance that God provided to His people before the world, particularly in the judgment of the nations (v.2). The Psalmist begins with a call to give thanks for this divine intervention (v.1). The expression "His right hand to save" can be interpreted to mean that God's own power was employed to subdue the nations, akin to Isaiah 59:16. Any attack by the nations against God's people is ultimately an affront to God Himself; thus, He is rightly depicted as directly aiding His people.

A psalm inspired by the Holy Spirit and written by David reveals the magnificent salvation that God has graciously bestowed upon His people during His reign. It proclaims the renewal of salvation throughout the world, realized through Christ the Lord, leading to the perfect inheritance of the heavenly kingdom, at the moment He returns to judge all creation and to reward each individual according to their actions (Matt. 25:31-32; Heb. 11:6). This psalm articulates the teaching regarding the two comings of Christ and bears similarities to the previous psalm. It is significant that this psalm is attributed to David, as he represents Christ as the prophet.