King James Version

What Does Psalms 98:2 Mean?

Psalms 98:2 in the King James Version says “The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. openly: or,...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 98 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. openly: or, revealed”

Psalms 98:2 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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.

2

The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. openly: or, revealed

3

He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

4

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The LORD hath made known his salvation (יְשׁוּעָתוֹ הוֹדִיעַ, yeshu'ato hodia')—God actively reveals (hodia', made known) His yeshu'ah (salvation, deliverance). This is not hidden mystery but public declaration. The Hebrew emphasizes completed divine action: salvation accomplished and proclaimed.

His righteousness hath he openly shewed (צִדְקָתוֹ גִּלָּה, tzidkato gillah)—God's tzedaqah (righteousness, vindicating justice) is unveiled (gillah, openly revealed) in the sight of the heathen (לְעֵינֵי הַגּוֹיִם, le'einei hagoyim). This universal witness anticipates the gospel's global reach. Paul quotes this psalm's theme in Romans 1:16-17, connecting God's righteousness revealed in salvation to justification by faith.

The parallelism links salvation and righteousness as twin aspects of God's redemptive work—deliverance accomplished through divine justice satisfied. Christ's cross supremely fulfills this: salvation made known globally through God's righteous atonement.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This enthronement psalm celebrates Yahweh's kingly reign, likely used in temple worship during festivals. The universal scope ('in the sight of the heathen') reflects Israel's prophetic calling as light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6), fulfilled in Christ's commission (Matthew 28:19).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's 'making known' His salvation challenge us to proclamation rather than private faith?
  2. In what ways is God's righteousness inseparable from His salvation in the gospel?
  3. Where do you see God's salvation being 'openly shewed' to the nations today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
הוֹדִ֣יעַ1 of 7

“hath made known”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

יְ֭הוָה2 of 7

“The LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

יְשׁוּעָת֑וֹ3 of 7

“his salvation”

H3444

something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity

לְעֵינֵ֥י4 of 7

“in the sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

הַ֝גּוֹיִ֗ם5 of 7

“of the heathen”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

גִּלָּ֥ה6 of 7

“hath he openly shewed”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

צִדְקָתֽוֹ׃7 of 7

“his righteousness”

H6666

rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 98:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 98:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 52:10Isaiah 62:2Psalms 22:31Romans 3:21-26Romans 1:17Isaiah 49:6

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