Psalms 98:4
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse doesn't just call for noise; it urges us to "break forth" into song, suggesting a spontaneous, overflowing joy that can no longer be contained. This isn't just about making a sound, but about a powerful, unsuppressed expression of worship that erupts from within.
This psalm builds to a crescendo, shifting from God's past mighty acts to a grand celebration of His coming reign. Following the declaration of God's saving power and his righteousness, the psalmist calls for all creation to erupt in ecstatic praise. This exuberant worship, involving music, shouts, and even personified natural elements, climaxes with the announcement that God is coming to judge and rule the earth with justice.
Why does the psalmist tell all the earth to make a joyful noise? This isn't just for a select few!
Psalm 98:4 isn't a quiet whisper; it's a global announcement! The phrase 'all the earth' highlights a crucial shift in God's plan: His praise is no longer limited to one nation. It's an invitation for everyone, everywhere, to join in celebrating God's mighty deeds. This sets the stage for a time when His saving power will be recognized by all peoples.
Think of it as God throwing a worldwide party, and everyone's invited to bring the noise!
The verse piles on words like 'joyful noise,' 'loud noise,' 'rejoice,' and 'sing praise.' What's behind this intensity?
This isn't just polite applause; it's an explosion of exultation! The repeated emphasis on loud, unrestrained joy points to the overwhelming nature of God's victorious actions. When the psalmist says 'break forth into joyous song,' he's describing a joy so immense it can't be contained. It's a visceral, full-bodied response to God's saving power and His coming reign.
This kind of praise involves more than just the voice; it's about a heart overflowing with gratitude, expressed with everything we have.
Understand the original words
teru'ah · Hebrew Noun
A loud, exuberant shout or exclamation, often used in corporate worship to express praise, victory, or adoration to God. It signifies an uninhibited, vocal response to God's presence or deeds.
zamar · Hebrew Verb
The act of extolling God's character and deeds, often involving music, singing, and the declaration of His majesty. It is a fundamental response of the creature to the greatness of the Creator.
This passage echoes Psalm 98:4, calling for the heavens and the earth to join in joyful praise, highlighting the universal scope of God's worship.
Isaiah 55:12Isaiah's prophecy describes the natural world responding with joy to God's word, a concept similar to how Psalm 98 calls for creation to 'break forth' in praise.
Philippians 2:10-11This New Testament passage reveals the ultimate fulfillment of Psalm 98's vision, where every created thing will confess Jesus as Lord, joining in a grand chorus of worship.
Psalm 66:1Like Psalm 98:4, this verse is a powerful call for the whole earth to make a joyful noise and sing praises, emphasizing a comprehensive and exuberant form of worship.
pulpitPsalms 98:4: "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 re…
ellicottPsalms 98:4: "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise."
(4) Make a joyful noise. —Better, Break out into songs and music.
The verse doesn't just call for noise; it urges us to "break forth" into song, suggesting a spontaneous, overflowing joy that can no longer be contained. This isn't just about making a sound, but about a powerful, unsuppressed expression of worship that erupts from within.
This psalm builds to a crescendo, shifting from God's past mighty acts to a grand celebration of His coming reign. Following the declaration of God's saving power and his righteousness, the psalmist calls for all creation to erupt in ecstatic praise. This exuberant worship, involving music, shouts, and even personified natural elements, climaxes with the announcement that God is coming to judge and rule the earth with justice.
This psalm builds to a crescendo, shifting from God's past mighty acts to a grand celebration of His coming reign. Following the declaration of God's saving power and his righteousness, the psalmist calls for all creation to erupt in ecstatic praise. This exuberant worship, involving music, shouts, and even personified natural elements, climaxes with the announcement that God is coming to judge and rule the earth with justice.
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"Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!" — The verse doesn't just call for noise; it urges us to "break forth" into song, suggesting a spontaneous, overflowing joy that can no longer be contained. This isn't just about making a sound, but abo…
