Psalms 98:2
The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
Original Language Analysis
הוֹדִ֣יעַ
hath made known
H3045
הוֹדִ֣יעַ
hath made known
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
1 of 7
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
יְ֭הוָה
The LORD
H3068
יְ֭הוָה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יְשׁוּעָת֑וֹ
his salvation
H3444
יְשׁוּעָת֑וֹ
his salvation
Strong's:
H3444
Word #:
3 of 7
something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
לְעֵינֵ֥י
in the sight
H5869
לְעֵינֵ֥י
in the sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
4 of 7
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
הַ֝גּוֹיִ֗ם
of the heathen
H1471
הַ֝גּוֹיִ֗ם
of the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
5 of 7
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
Cross References
Isaiah 52:10The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.Isaiah 62:2And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.Isaiah 49:6And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.Jeremiah 23:6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Historical 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).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's 'making known' His salvation challenge us to proclamation rather than private faith?
- In what ways is God's righteousness inseparable from His salvation in the gospel?
- Where do you see God's salvation being 'openly shewed' to the nations today?
Analysis & 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.