Psalms 98:3

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

זָ֘כַ֤ר He hath remembered H2142
זָ֘כַ֤ר He hath remembered
Strong's: H2142
Word #: 1 of 12
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
חַסְדּ֨וֹ׀ his mercy H2617
חַסְדּ֨וֹ׀ his mercy
Strong's: H2617
Word #: 2 of 12
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
וֶֽאֱֽמוּנָתוֹ֮ and his truth H530
וֶֽאֱֽמוּנָתוֹ֮ and his truth
Strong's: H530
Word #: 3 of 12
literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity
לְבֵ֪ית toward the house H1004
לְבֵ֪ית toward the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 4 of 12
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָ֫אֵ֥ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָ֫אֵ֥ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 5 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
רָא֥וּ have seen H7200
רָא֥וּ have seen
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 6 of 12
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כָל H3605
כָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 7 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אַפְסֵי all the ends H657
אַפְסֵי all the ends
Strong's: H657
Word #: 8 of 12
cessation, i.e., an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or f
אָ֑רֶץ of the earth H776
אָ֑רֶץ of the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 9 of 12
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֵ֝֗ת H853
אֵ֝֗ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 10 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְשׁוּעַ֥ת the salvation H3444
יְשׁוּעַ֥ת the salvation
Strong's: H3444
Word #: 11 of 12
something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃ of our God H430
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃ of our God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 12 of 12
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Analysis & Commentary

He hath remembered his mercy and his truth (זָכַר חַסְדּוֹ וֶאֱמוּנָתוֹ, zakhar chasdo ve'emunato)—God's covenant faithfulness is celebrated through two pillars: chesed (steadfast loyal love) and emunah (faithfulness, reliability). The verb zakhar (remembered) means more than mental recall—it signifies covenant action, God moving to fulfill His promises.

Toward the house of Israel—God's particular covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:1-3) promised blessing to all nations through Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God (רָאוּ כָל־אַפְסֵי־אָרֶץ, ra'u kol-afsei-aretz)—the particular becomes universal. What began with Israel's election culminates in global witness. Luke quotes this in 2:30-32, seeing Christ as this salvation.

This verse encapsulates redemptive history: God's faithful love to His chosen people becoming the means by which the whole earth witnesses salvation. The gospel moves from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

Historical Context

Written when Israel's witness role was both privilege and burden, this psalm anticipates the Messianic age when salvation would extend beyond ethnic boundaries. Early Christians saw Simeon's declaration (Luke 2:30-32) as direct fulfillment.

Questions for Reflection