Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that God's "right hand and his holy arm" accomplished salvation, emphasizing that this victory wasn't a collaborative effort, but a singular, divine act of power and righteousness. This intimate phrasing suggests God's personal involvement, not just issuing a command, but actively and powerfully bringing about deliverance through His own strength.
Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm opens with a call for a fresh song of praise, not just for past deeds but for a specific, astounding act of deliverance. It emphasizes that God Himself, through His powerful "right hand and holy arm," has achieved this salvation, highlighting His sole might and perfect righteousness in the victory. This sets the stage for the rest of the psalm, which will expound on the universal scope and implications of this divine triumph.
Why does the Psalmist call for a 'new song'? It’s not just about a fresh tune, but about recognizing God’s ongoing, amazing work in our lives.
A Fresh Melody for Fresh Mercies
The call to sing a "new song" isn't about ignoring the old hymns. Instead, it's an invitation to express fresh wonder at God's mighty acts. This isn't just for ancient Israel; it's for us too!
What's "New" About It?
When we recognize God's power at work, whether in the grand sweep of history or in the quiet moments of our personal lives, a new song begins to rise within us.
The Psalmist points to God's 'right hand and holy arm.' What does this powerful imagery tell us about how God saves?
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The Power and Purity of Divine Salvation
The language of God's "right hand and holy arm" is rich with meaning. It's not just poetic flourish; it points to the very nature and source of His saving power.
Power and Authority
The right hand is often associated with strength, authority, and the execution of power. When the Psalmist speaks of God's right hand, he's emphasizing that salvation comes directly from God's own mighty capability. He doesn't need help; His power is sufficient.
Holiness and Righteousness
The addition of "holy arm" highlights that God's power is not arbitrary or unjust. His saving acts are always in line with His perfect character – His righteousness and His desire to uphold what is good and true. This isn't just about rescue; it's about rescue accomplished in a way that honors His own perfect nature.
When we see salvation as coming from God's "right hand and holy arm," we can trust that it is both powerful enough to overcome any obstacle and pure enough to secure our ultimate well-being.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, revealing His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His people. It signifies the God who enters into a redemptive relationship with humanity.
yeshu'ah · Hebrew Noun
A manifestation of divine power, often in the context of rescue, deliverance, or victory over enemies. It denotes the act of God interceding to save His people from danger or oppression.
yad · Hebrew Noun
A metaphor for God's power, agency, and authority in action. It represents His strength and ability to intervene in history to accomplish His sovereign purposes.
qodesh · Hebrew Noun
An expression of God’s absolute purity, transcendence, and set-apartness. It signifies that His power and actions are entirely consistent with His perfect moral character.
This psalm's call for a 'new song' directly echoes the exultation and relief felt by the returning exiles. The 'marvelous things' and 'salvation' sung about are the incredible deliverance from Babylonian captivity and the restoration of their nation and worship.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, deporting many citizens and scattering them. This event serves as a stark reminder of God's judgment on unfaithfulness.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling a significant portion of the population. This is a profound national trauma, and the people cry out for deliverance.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia, known for his generally tolerant policies, conquers the Babylonian empire.
538 BC— this verse
Edict of Cyrus for Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This marks the beginning of the return from exile.
c. 516 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
The rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem is completed, symbolizing the restoration of worship and a tangible sign of God's faithfulness to His promises.
This passage describes the 'new song' sung by Moses and the Israelites after their miraculous deliverance from Egypt, mirroring the call for a new song in Psalm 98 due to God's 'marvelous things' and 'salvation.'
Isaiah 59:16This verse speaks of God seeing there was no one to intercede and that His own arm brought Him salvation, which directly parallels the language in Psalm 98 about God's 'right hand and holy arm' working salvation.
Luke 1:69-71Zechariah's prophecy echoes the theme of God working salvation through His 'holy arm' and raising up a 'horn of salvation' for His people, aligning with the triumphant praise of Psalm 98.
Revelation 5:9-10This passage describes the redeemed singing a 'new song' because Christ was found worthy to open the scroll and redeem people by His blood, fulfilling the idea of God's marvelous work of salvation originating from His powerful 'arm.'
pulpitPsalms 98:1: "<> 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."
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 eit…
bensonPsalms 98:1: "A Psalm. 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."
Psalm 98:1 . O sing unto the Lord a new song — See on Psalm 96:1 . For he hath done marvellous things — The work of our redemption and salvation by Christ is a work of wonder. If we take a view of all the steps of it, from the contrivance of it before all time to the consummation of it, and its everlasting consequences when time shall be no…
The verse highlights that God's "right hand and his holy arm" accomplished salvation, emphasizing that this victory wasn't a collaborative effort, but a singular, divine act of power and righteousness. This intimate phrasing suggests God's personal involvement, not just issuing a command, but actively and powerfully bringing about deliverance through His own strength.
This psalm opens with a call for a fresh song of praise, not just for past deeds but for a specific, astounding act of deliverance. It emphasizes that God Himself, through His powerful "right hand and holy arm," has achieved this salvation, highlighting His sole might and perfect righteousness in the victory. This sets the stage for the rest of the psalm, which will expound on the universal scope and implications of this divine triumph.
This psalm opens with a call for a fresh song of praise, not just for past deeds but for a specific, astounding act of deliverance. It emphasizes that God Himself, through His powerful "right hand and holy arm," has achieved this salvation, highlighting His sole might and perfect righteousness in the victory. This sets the stage for the rest of the psalm, which will expound on the universal scope and implications of this divine triumph.
"Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him." — The verse highlights that God's "right hand and his holy arm" accomplished salvation, emphasizing that this victory wasn't a collaborative effort, but a singular, divine act of power and righteousnes…
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Last reviewed October 2026