This Ps. closely resembles Psalms 96, especially in its beginning and ending, and is to be referred to the same occasion. It celebrates a deliverance which God has wrought for Israel in the sight of all the earth (Psalms 98:1-3), 'summons all men (Psalms 98:4-6), and all nature (Psalms 98:7-9) to praise Him. Psalms 98:6 proclaims Him as King, and Psalms 98:9 anticipates with gladness His coming to judge the world.
Psalms 98:1-9
1 O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
3 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.
4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
7 Let the sea roar, and the fulnessa thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.