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.
Psalms 98:1-9.-Introduction. Praise Yahweh in a new song; because He has done marvels, showing before the pagan His righteousness in behalf of Israel, whereby all the earth sees His salvation (Psalms 98:1-3). This praise is to be rendered with psalms and instrumental music (Psalms 98:4-6); and this by the world's inhabitants, before Yahweh, who is coming to judge in equity (Psalms 98:7-9).
A Psalm - Mizmowr (H4210) (cf. Psalms 3:1-8 title, note). This is the only psalm which has this word without addition. It must therefore be here not in the general sense, but the special-namely, the lyrical song accompanying the prophetic psalm, Psalms 97:1-12. Compare the Hebrew cognate forms in Psalms 98:5.
O sing unto the Lord a new song - from Psalms 96:1. The theme is the same as that of Psalms 96:1-13 and Psalms 97:1-12 - namely, the coming of the Lord to the earth as the victorious Saviour, King, and Judge. The stand-point is ideal-namely, the anticipated time of the manifested salvation and kingdom of Yahweh-Messiah, when first the "new song" will be fully appropriate.
His right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory - (Isaiah 52:10; Isaiah 59:16; Isaiah 63:5, which have a partial realization in Messiah's first advent, and their complete realization in His second.) 'The arm of the Lord' is put in contradistinction to ordinary means, as the instrument whereby He brings perfect salvation to Zion, literal and spiritual. 'Ordinary means, although they do not derogate from the power of, God, in some measure like a veil, hide His face' (Calvin). Compare Isaiah 40:10; Isaiah 51:9. The epithet "holy" implies the awful and infinite elevation by which His power is lifted above all creature-powers.