Psalms 98:4

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

הָרִ֣יעוּ Make a joyful noise H7321
הָרִ֣יעוּ Make a joyful noise
Strong's: H7321
Word #: 1 of 7
to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)
לַֽ֭יהוָה unto the LORD H3068
לַֽ֭יהוָה unto the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 3 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָאָ֑רֶץ all the earth H776
הָאָ֑רֶץ all the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 4 of 7
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
פִּצְח֖וּ make a loud noise H6476
פִּצְח֖וּ make a loud noise
Strong's: H6476
Word #: 5 of 7
to break out (in joyful sound)
וְרַנְּנ֣וּ and rejoice H7442
וְרַנְּנ֣וּ and rejoice
Strong's: H7442
Word #: 6 of 7
properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e., to shout (usually for joy)
וְזַמֵּֽרוּ׃ and sing H2167
וְזַמֵּֽרוּ׃ and sing
Strong's: H2167
Word #: 7 of 7
properly, to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument, i.e., play upon it; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in so

Cross References

Isaiah 44:23Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.Psalms 100:1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.Revelation 19:6And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.Psalms 66:1Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:Isaiah 12:6Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.Psalms 95:1O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.Revelation 19:1And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:Psalms 67:4O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.Jeremiah 33:11The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.Matthew 21:9And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Analysis & Commentary

This verse intensifies the call to worship, expanding from singing to a comprehensive, joyful response. 'Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth' repeats a command from Psalm 95:1 but here applies it universally - 'all the earth' should make joyful noise. 'Joyful noise' (Hebrew 'rinnah') denotes loud, exultant shouting or singing - unrestrained expression of joy. 'Make a loud noise' emphasizes the intensity and volume - this is not quiet, private devotion but public, exuberant celebration. 'And rejoice' (Hebrew 'gilu') means to spin, leap, or celebrate with bodily movement and expression. 'And sing praise' adds structured musical expression to the joyful noise. The parallelism shows that authentic joy and celebration can include both unrestrained emotion ('loud noise,' 'rejoice') and structured expression ('sing praise'). This verse establishes that worship should engage the whole person and should be expressed with the intensity of genuine emotion. The universal scope ('all the earth') reiterates the conviction that God's greatness is worthy of universal recognition and response. The verse moves from the theological reality of God's marvellous works to the appropriate human response: comprehensive, uninhibited, joyful celebration.

Historical Context

The command for 'joyful noise' and bodily expression ('rejoice') echoes the worship practices described throughout Scripture - David danced before the ark (2 Samuel 6:14-15), and in Temple worship, shouting and instrumental music accompanied celebrations. In ancient Jewish worship, such exuberant expression was valued as genuine response to God's greatness. The command to 'all the earth' reflects the eschatological hope that ultimately all creation would recognize and celebrate God's rule. During the post-exilic period, when the Jewish community was rebuilding Temple worship and their religious identity, such emphatic calls to joyful celebration would have strengthened community resolve and commitment. The verse rejects any notion that serious faith requires somber restraint - rather, genuine encounter with God's greatness demands joyful, exuberant response. This stands in contrast to certain religious traditions that value stoicism or emotional restraint, asserting instead that joy and celebration are appropriate and valued expressions of worship.

Questions for Reflection