Verse 1. - O sing unto the Lord a new song (comp. Psalm 96, which opens similarly). The faithful and wise steward is ever bringing out of his treasures things which are at once old and "new." For he hath done marvellous things. The "marvellous things" which God has done for man constitute the first ground for praising him. These marvels may be either those of his ordinary providence, or special interpositions and deliverances. His right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory; rather, hath wrought salvation for him (see the Revised Version; and comp. Isaiah 59:16; Isaiah 63:5).
The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. Verse 2. - The Lord hath made known his salvation; i.e. "has manifested his power to save." The psalmist looks back upon the deliverance of ver. 9, as though it were accomplished. His righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen. God has vindicated in the eyes of all the nations upon earth the righteousness of his rule over mankind.
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. Verse 3. - He hath remembered his mercy and his truth towards the house of Israel. The judgment of the nations involves mercy and deliverance to Israel, which is oppressed by them; and thus manifests God's faithfulness towards them. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God (comp. ver. 2 and Isaiah 52:10).
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Verse 4. - Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth. God is to be praised heartily - with a loud and ringing voice. The body is to unite with the soul in giving him thanks, and to perform its part vigorously and with zeal (comp. Psalm 5:3; Psalm 66:1; Psalm 81:1; Psalm 95:1, 2; Psalm 100:1, etc.). And in the praise of God the whole earth is to join. Make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise; rather, break forth, and sing for joy, and sing praise (see the Revised Version).
Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. Verse 5. - Sing unto the Lord with the harp; i.e. "with a harp accompaniment." It is fitting that in the praises of God instrumental music should be joined with vocal melody (comp. Exodus 15:20; 2 Samuel 6:15; 1 Chronicles 15:16, 28; 1 Chronicles 16:6; 2 Chronicles 5:12, 13; Ezra 3:10; Nehemiah 12:27, etc.). With the harp, and the voice of a psalm; or, the voice of melody (Revised Version).
With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. Verse 6. - With trumpet and sound of cornet; rather, with clarions and voice of trumpet. The chatsotseroth are "the straight trumpets, such as are seen on the Arch of Titus, used by the priests for giving signals" (Kay). The shophar is the ordinary curved or rounded trumpet or horn. Make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King; literally, before the King, Jehovah. (On the use of wind instruments in the temple service, see 1 Chronicles 15:24, 28; 2 Chronicles 5:12; Ezra 3:10.)
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Verse 7. - Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof (see above, Psalm 96:11, where the same phrase occurs). The call on the inanimate things of nature to rejoice is grounded on man's sympathy with nature, which makes him desire, and half believe, that nature may sympathize with him. The world, and they that dwell therein (comp. Psalm 24:1).
Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together Verse 8. - Let the floods clap their hands. This bold metaphor occurs only here and in Isaiah 55:12, where the "trees" are asked to "clap their hands." Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord; or, sing for joy together; i.e. join with the rest of nature in expressing gladness.
Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity. Verse 9. - For he cometh to judge the earth. Nature, inanimate and animate, may well be asked to rejoice when God comes to judge the earth - since he is sure to judge it aright. With righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity. "God by his righteous judgment will bring the whole earth from a state of sorrow into a state of salvation and joy" (Hengstenberg). |
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