Verse-by-Verse Bible CommentaryPsalms 98:9
Before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness And the peoples with equity. Jump to: Clarke Commentary • Barne's Notes • Coffman Commentaries • Gill's Exposition • Trapp's Commentary • Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary • Constable's Expository Notes • Haydock's Catholic Commentary • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes • Ellicott's Commentary • Treasury of Knowledge Other Authors
Adam Clarke CommentaryFor he cometh to judge the earth - He comes to make known his salvation, and show his merciful designs to all the children of men. With righteousness shall he judge the world - His word shall not be confined; all shall know him, from the least to the greatest: he shall show that he is loving to every man, and hateth nothing that he hath made. See the notes on Psalm 96:1-13; (note). There is a very great similarity between this Psalm and the Song or Magnificat of the Blessed Virgin. I shall note some of the parallels, chiefly from Bishop Nicholson. This Psalm is an evident prophecy of Christ's coming to save the world; and what is here foretold by David is, in the Blessed Virgin's song, chanted forth as being accomplished. David is the Voice, and Mary is the Echo.
These parallels are very striking; and it seems as if Mary had this Psalm in her eye when she composed her song of triumph. And this is a farther argument that the whole Psalm, whether it record the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, or the Jews from the Babylonish captivity, is yet to be ultimately understood of the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ, and the proclamation of his Gospel through all the nations of the earth: and taken in this view, no language can be too strong, nor poetic imagery too high, to point out the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Copyright Statement Bibliography Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole BibleBefore the Lord, for he cometh to judge the earth … - This verse is essentially the same as Psalm 96:13. See the notes at that verse. The psalm calls for universal praise. The very “reading” of the psalm - so joyous - so jubilant - so animated - so exulting - is suited to awaken the mind to praise; to rouse it to thankfulness; to fill it with joy. One cannot read the psalm without being a happier man; without being lifted above the world; without lofty views of God; without a feeling that he is worthy of this universal praise; without recognizing that we are in a world where the mind should be joyful; that we are under the dominion of a God whose reign should fill the mind with gladness. Copyright Statement Bibliography Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible"Before Jehovah; for he cometh to judge the earth: He will judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with equity." "Before Jehovah." These words belong to the preceding verse, carrying the meaning that all that singing and the joyful noises, the clapping of hands, etc. shall be performed "before Jehovah." "Jehovah cometh to judge the earth ... he will judge the world." It is amazing that Anchor Bible translates this as God's coming to "Govern the world."[10] No, God's Final Judgment, indicated here, will not be for the purpose of "governing the world." A summary of some of the things God has revealed that will be accomplished upon that Great Day includes the following: (1) God will wipe this Adam off the face of the earth (Zephaniah 1:3). John Gill's Exposition of the Whole BibleBefore the Lord, for he cometh to judge the earth,.... See Gill on Psalm 96:13, with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity; both at his first and second coming, and during the intermediate time; see the note as before. The only difference is, that in Psalm 96:13, it is said that he shall judge the people "with his truth", here "with equity", or "uprightnesses" Copyright Statement Bibliography John Trapp Complete CommentaryPsalms 98:9 Before the LORD for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity. Ver. 9. {See Trapp on "Psalms 96:13"} Copyright Statement Bibliography Hawker's Poor Man's CommentaryREFLECTIONS How blessed the thought, how full of glory the meditation! Jesus hath conquered all the enemies of our salvation! Himself, our Jesus, our Brother, our Husband, our glorious Head, is he that hath gotten the victory. And what endears it yet more is, that he hath gotten it in our name, in our stead; for us, and for our salvation: and all he is, and all he hath wrought, and all he hath obtained, is ours. And, my soul, pause, and consider how the communication of those mercies is endeared to thee. Jesus hath not only conquered, but made known: He hath not only remembered his mercy, and accomplished salvation, both toward the house of Israel, and to all the ends of the earth; but he hath, by his blessed Spirit, taught the souls of his people to believe in him, and to depend upon him. Well may every redeemed soul sing unto the Lord the new song of redemption. Let the sea roar with echoing the same, and all the trees of the wood clap their hands! But pause once more, my soul, and ask thine heart, Canst thou sing this new song? Hath the Lord brought thee out of the horrible pit, out of the mire and clay, even out of the ruins of nature, and sin, and Satan, and put thy feet upon the rock, and a new song, even the song of Moses and the Lamb, into thy mouth? Oh! for grace to sing this new song with a new heart: to make Jesus, in his person, in his love, offices, salvation, the everlasting melody of the heart, and the rejoicing forever. Oh! for grace, that in the review of all the covenant love of God in Christ, I may be looking unto, and waiting for, his coming. Haste, my beloved; let the shadows of night flee away; and be thou like a roe, or young hart upon the mountains of Bether. Copyright Statement Bibliography Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable
The prospect of Yahweh balancing the scales of justice is good reason for universal rejoicing. His "coming" describes a literal visit to this earth, rather than just a heavenly judgment and reign. [Note: See Allen, Rediscovering Prophecy, pp39-54. For a discussion of Yahweh as the Divine Warrior, see VanGemeren, pp630-35.] This psalm should help God"s people view the Lord"s coming to earth to reign as a blessing, rather than something they should fear. Even though He will rule with an iron rod ( Psalm 2:9), His coming will be a good thing for humankind. We who are believers should rejoice greatly as we anticipate it, and we should pray for its arrival ( Matthew 6:10; Luke 11:2). Copyright Statement Bibliography George Haydock's Catholic Bible CommentaryMountain. On Sion, or in the Catholic Church. (Berthier) --- "Those who do not adore on this mountain, are not heard unto eternal life." (St. Augustine) Copyright Statement Bibliography E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notespeople = peoples. Copyright Statement Bibliography Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9) See Psalms 96:13. Copyright Statement Bibliography Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeBefore the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
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