This page gives you ready-made Bible study questions for Psalm 98, with leader notes for each one. It works for a small group, a Sunday class or a quiet personal reading. Psalm 98 is a call to new praise because the LORD has acted in salvation and is coming to judge the earth with righteousness. Each section below can be used on its own, or you can work straight through the chapter.
Psalm 98 at a Glance
The psalm opens with a command to sing a new song because of what the LORD has done (verses 1-3). The psalmist then widens the circle, calling the whole earth to shout, sing and make music before the King (verses 4-6). In the final part, the sea, the rivers and the mountains are pictured joining in, and the reason for the praise is named: the LORD is coming to judge the world with righteousness and equity (verses 7-9).
The psalm moves from a specific act of salvation, to a worldwide invitation, to a cosmic celebration of God’s coming justice. Good discussion keeps those three movements in view.
Observation Questions
Use these questions first, before anyone offers an interpretation. Ask the group to point to the words in the text and avoid explaining yet. Let people read the verses aloud once or twice before answering.
Psalm 98:1
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.
(WEB)
Read this first to set the tone of the session. It names the two reasons for praise, God’s marvelous deeds and his saving strength, and invites the group into a new song before the discussion begins.
Psalm 98:2-3
2 The LORD has made known his salvation. He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations. 3 He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
(WEB)
These verses explain how God’s salvation has been made known and why it matters to all nations. Reading them aloud helps the group see the psalm’s concern for God’s faithfulness to Israel and his witness before the world.
Psalm 98:4-6
4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises! 5 Sing praises to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the voice of melody. 6 With trumpets and sound of the ram’s horn, make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD.
(WEB)
Reading the call to all the earth and the list of instruments gives the group a sense of the energy of the psalm. Let people raise their voices on the word “joyful” to feel how public and full this praise is meant to be.
Psalm 98:7-8
7 Let the sea roar with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein. 8 Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing for joy together.
(WEB)
The sea, the rivers and the mountains join the praise in these lines. Reading them slowly helps the group imagine creation responding to its Maker, which can widen their sense of what worship includes.
Psalm 98:9
Let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
(WEB)
End the reading with this verse because it gives the reason for all the singing. The coming of the LORD to judge with righteousness and equity is the hope that fuels the praise throughout the psalm.
Memory Verse for Psalm 98
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we come before you as people who have seen your salvation and heard the promise that you are coming to judge the earth with righteousness. Teach us to sing a new song when we remember what you have done, and give us voices that are not afraid to rejoice. Where we have grown quiet or weary, stir up in us the joy that belongs to those who trust your reign. Show us where to praise you this week, and make us people who reflect your righteousness and equity toward those around us. Keep us steady as we wait for your coming, and let our singing be a witness to your faithfulness. Amen.
