Introduction XCVIII. This psalm plainly belongs to that cycle of literature produced by the joy of the Restoration, and is in fact little more than a compilation from Isaiah 40:26 , and from other psalms, especially Psalms 96:0 . The psalm is irregular in form. Title. —This is the only hymn of the whole collection with the bare inscription “a psalm.”
Verse 1 (1) Victory. —The word more commonly rendered “salvation,” as, indeed, in next verse.
Verse 4 (4) Make a joyful noise. —Better, Break out into songs and music.
Verse 5 (5) Sing . . . —Rather, Play to Jehovah on a harp. on a harp, and with melodious sound of music.
Verse 6 (6) Trumpets . . . cornet. —(See Numbers 10:2 ; Exodus 19:16 ; and Bible Educator, ii. 231, 232.) This is the only place in the psalm where the chatsotsereh, or “straight trumpet” is mentioned.
Verse 7 (7) See Psalms 96:11 . “Listen! the mighty Being is awake And doth with His eternal motion make A sound like thunder everlastingly.” WORDSWORTH.
Verse 8 (8) Clap their hands. —This expression, descriptive of the lapping sound of waves, occurs also in Isaiah 55:12 . Let the hills be joyful together. — “Far along, From peak to peak, the rattling crags among, Leaps the live thunder! Not from one long cloud, But every mountain now hath found a tongue, And Jura answers through her misty shroud Back to the joyous Alps who call to her aloud.” BYRON: Childe Harold, canto iii.
Verse 9 (9) See Psalms 96:13 .