서론
Psalm 98 Introduction
英文原文
This is entitled simply "A Psalm." But who is its author is unknown. It is similar in its design and structure to the group of Psalms Ps. 95-100 in which it is found. Dr. Horsley, in accordance with the views which he has of the design of the group (see the Introduction to Psalm 97:1-12), supposes that this psalm refers to the restoration of the Jewish people. It is a psalm which would have been appropriate at the dedication of the temple after the Babylonian captivity, and may have been composed for that occasion. It is of so general a character, however, that it is appropriate to all times in the church. The psalm does not admit of a particular analysis.
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Psalm 98:1
你们要向耶和华唱新歌——试参 Psalm 33:3; Psalm 96:1。"因为祂行过奇妙的事"——奇妙的事，就是适合激起惊奇、使人心充满惊讶的事。参见 Psalm 77:14; Psalm 86:10。
祂的右手——我们藉以执行任何意图凭借的器具。试参 Isaiah 59:16; Isaiah 63:5。
和祂的圣臂——祂圣洁的臂膀；就是在义的事上伸出、维护正义之事的臂膀。
已使祂得胜——字面意思是"为自己成就了救恩"：为祂自己，或在祂自己的事业上。那胜利——那救恩——实在是为了维护祂自己的治理；为了坚持祂自己的权柄，抵挡那些起来敌对的人。这里所说的，可以应用于神的一切作为。那些作为实在都是在祂自己的事业上，为要维护祂施政的原则。
英文原文
O sing unto the Lord a new song - Compare Psalm 33:3; Psalm 96:1. "For he hath done marvelous things." Things suited to excite wonder, or to fill the mind with astonishment. See Psalm 77:14; Psalm 86:10.
His right hand - The instrument by which we execute any purpose. Compare Isaiah 59:16; Isaiah 63:5.
And his holy arm - The arm of his holiness; that is, his arm put forth in a righteous cause, or vindicating that which is right.
Hath gotten him the victory - literally, "has worked salvation for him:" for himself, or in his own cause. The victory - the salvation - was really in defense of his own government; in maintaining his own authority against those who set themselves in opposition to it. What is here said may be applied to all that God does. It is really in his own cause, in order to maintain the principles of his own administration.
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Psalm 98:2
耶和华发明了祂的救恩——参见 Isaiah 52:10 的注释。这并不是说祂仅仅“宣告”了祂的救恩或祂拯救的意愿，而是说祂已经借着某个公开的作为彰显了祂的救恩——祂拯救的大能。这里所指的具体作为是什么，如今已无从查考。然而这样的作为常常发生，例如祂拯救祂的百姓脱离埃及之时；祂使希伯来人从巴比伦被掳之地归回之时；以及每逢危险之中祂出面干预护卫他们之时。祂在赐下救主一事上也如此行了；祂在每一次真宗教的复兴中如此行；祂在每一个罪人的得救中也如此行。
祂的公义——祂公义的属性；祂对祂子民的信实。每当祂出面干预，都是为了维护正义；因此，这样的干预便是祂作为公义者之属性的说明。我们正是借此认识到，祂的属性乃是一位公义的神。
公开显明——旁注按希伯来文作“揭示”。祂已将它启示出来，或使之显明。
在列邦人眼前——即列国；或者说，使列国都能看见：就是巴勒斯坦以外的列国。祂的作为如此公开——如此显著——以致周围列国都能认识祂真正的属性。祂拯救祂的百姓脱离埃及为奴之家时正是如此；在祂百姓的历史上也屡屡如此。
英文原文
The Lord hath made known his salvation - See the notes at Isaiah 52:10. This does not mean that he had merely "proclaimed" his salvation, or his willingness to save, but that he had shown his salvation - his power to save - by some public act. What the particular act referred to here was, it is impossible now to ascertain. Such acts, however, have been often performed, as when he delivered his people out of Egypt; when he restored the Hebrews from the Babylonian captivity; and whenever he interposed in their behalf in times of danger. He has done it also in the gift of a Saviour; he does it in every revival of true religion; he does it in the salvation of a single sinner.
His righteousness - His righteous character; his faithfulness to his people. Whenever he interposes, it is in behalf of that which is right; and such interposition, therefore, is an illustration of his character as just. It is in this way we learn that his character is that of a just God.
Hath he openly showed - Margin, as in Hebrew, "revealed." He has disclosed it, or made it manifest.
In the sight of the heathen - The nations; or, so that the nations could see it: that is, the nations outside of Pa estine. His acts were so public - so remarkable - that surrounding nations could learn what was his true character. Thus it was when he delivered his people from Egyptian bondage; and thus also frequently in the history of his people.
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Psalm 98:3
“记念他……所发的慈爱”——参 Luke 1:54-55 的注释和 Luke 1:72 的注释；马利亚和撒迦利亚的话很可能就是引用了诗篇中的这段话。其观念是：神记起了祂向子民施怜悯的应许；祂没有让它从祂的记忆中消失；祂守了祂的话。
“所凭的信实”——祂遵守了祂的应许；祂显明了自己是信实的神。
“向以色列家”——即向祂的子民。
“地的四极都看见我们神的救恩”——这看来是引自 Isaiah 52:10；见该处的注释。两者措辞如此相似，以致本诗很可能是写于以赛亚之后，而且（如上文所述）很可能是用于被掳归回后圣殿的奉献礼。全篇都适合用来庆祝那次的拯救；同时，像以赛亚书中的话一样，它也适合用来庆祝一次更高的拯救——在弥赛亚之下的拯救——那次拯救正是这更高拯救的预表。
英文原文
He hath remembered his mercy - Compare the notes at Luke 1:54-55 (note), Luke 1:72 (note), where this passage in the Psalms was not improbably referred to by Mary and Zacharias. The idea is, that God had called to mind his promise of mercy to his people; that he had not suffered it to pass out of his recollection; that he had kept his word.
And his truth - He has kept his promise; he has shown that he is a God of truth.
Toward the house of Israel - Toward his people.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God - This appears to have been quoted from Isaiah 52:10. See the notes at that passage. The resemblance in the language is so strong as to make it probable that the psalm was composed after the times of Isaiah, and not improbably to be used (as remarked above) in the dedication of the temple after the captivity. The whole psalm would be appropriate to celebrate that deliverance; while, at the same time, like the language in Isaiah, it would be adapted to celebrate a higher deliverance - under the Messiah - of which that was an emblem.
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Psalm 98:4
当向耶和华欢呼——借着歌唱；借着乐器。参 Psalm 95:1 的注释。
全地——即万国。这事件意义重大，配得万民一同庆贺。这是普世欢呼喜乐的事。
要发起大声——此处所用的词——פצח pâtsach——本义是打碎；继而指迸发而出，如得胜或喜乐的呐喊，仿佛喜乐再也无法约束或抑制。参 Isaiah 14:7 的注释。这个词除本处之外，只见于以下各处，且一律译作"迸发而出"：Isaiah 14:7；Isaiah 44:23；Isaiah 49:13；Isaiah 52:9；Isaiah 54:1；Isaiah 55:12（惟 Micah 3:3 除外，那里译作"打碎"）。它表达的是无法抑制的喜乐。
欢呼歌颂——正是这一组词——"当发欢声，一同歌唱"——希伯来文与这里的用词相同——出现在 Isaiah 52:9，这表明（如上文所述），本诗写于以赛亚的时代之后，而且大概是指向同一事件。
英文原文
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord - By singing; by instruments of music. See the notes at Psalm 95:1.
All the earth - All lands. The event is of sufficient importance to be celebrated by all nations. It is a matter of universal exultation and joy.
Make a loud noise - The word used here - פצח pâtsach - means properly to break in pieces; then, to break forth, as a shout of triumph or joy, as if the joy could be no longer confined or repressed. See the notes at Isaiah 14:7. The word occurs only in the following places (besides that which is before us), in all of which it is rendered "break forth." Isaiah 14:7; Isaiah 44:23; Isaiah 49:13; Isaiah 52:9; Isaiah 54:1; Isaiah 55:12 - (except in Micah 3:3, where it it is rendered "break"). It is expressive of irrepressible joy.
Rejoice and sing praise - This very combination of the words, "Break forth into joy, sing together" - the same words in Hebrew as here - occurs in Isaiah 52:9, showing, as above remarked, that the psalm was composed after the times of Isaiah, and probably had reference to the same event.
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Psalm 98:5
要用琴歌颂耶和华——指有琴伴奏的歌或诗篇。关于琴，参 Isaiah 5:12 的注释。
用琴和诗歌的声音歌颂他——指歌唱的声音；音乐的声音。不要单用乐器之乐，而要叫发表可懂之音或言语的歌声与它相伴。在敬拜神的事上，乐器的唯一正当用处，是加深那些言语所要造成的印象，使真理更有效地影响人心。
英文原文
Sing unto the Lord with the harp - A song or psalm accompanied by the harp. On the harp. See the notes at Isaiah 5:12.
And the voice of a psalm - The voice in singing; a musical voice. Let it not be mere instrumental music, but let that be accompanied with the voice uttering intelligible sounds or words. The only proper use of instrumental music in the worship of God is to deepen the impression which the words are adapted to make; to secure a better influence of truth on the heart.
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Psalm 98:6
用号——这里所用的词在圣经中一贯译作“号”（Numbers 10:2, Numbers 10:8-10; Numbers 31:6; et al.）。号主要用于召集公众敬拜的集会，或召集军旅出战。原词——חצצרה chătsôtserâh——被认为是仿造“号角那种断续如脉搏的声响”而造，类似拉丁语的“taratantara”。德语的“trarara”与阿拉伯语的 hadadera 亦然。这里所用的词指那长而直的号。
和角的声音……——这里译作“角”的词通常也译作“号”（Exodus 19:16, Exodus 19:19; Exodus 20:18; Leviticus 25:9; Joshua 6:4-6, Joshua 6:8-9, Joshua 6:13, Joshua 6:16, Joshua 6:20; et saepe）。它在 1 Chronicles 15:28; 2 Chronicles 15:14; Hosea 5:8 中译作“角”。七十士译本与拉丁文武加大译本在此将它译作“角”（horn）——正是“角”（cornet）一词的意思。这乐器的名号——שׁפר shôphār——被认为是因它清亮尖锐的声响而得，类似英语的名称“clarion”。它或以角制成，或类似角——一种弯曲如角的乐器。这乐器在希伯来人中经常使用。
英文原文
With trumpets - The word used here is uniformly rendered "trumpets" in the Scriptures. Numbers 10:2, Numbers 10:8-10; Numbers 31:6; et al. The trumpet was mainly employed for convening a public assembly for worship, or for assembling the hosts for battle. The original word - חצצרה chătsôtserâh - is supposed to have been designed to imitate "the broken pulse-like sound of the trumpet, like the Latin "taratantara." So the German "trarara," and the Arabic hadadera. The word used here was given to the long, straight trumpet.
And sound of cornet ... - The word here translated "cornet" is also usually rendered "trumpet," Exodus 19:16, Exodus 19:19; Exodus 20:18; Leviticus 25:9; Joshua 6:4-6, Joshua 6:8-9, Joshua 6:13, Joshua 6:16, Joshua 6:20; et saepe. It is rendered "cornet" in 1 Chronicles 15:28; 2 Chronicles 15:14; Hosea 5:8. In the Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate it is here rendered "horn" - the meaning of "cornet." The name - שׁפר shôphār - is supposed to have been given to this instrument from its clear and shrill sound, like the English name "clarion." It was either made of horn, or similar to a horn - an instrument curved like a horn. The instrument was in frequent use among the Hebrews.
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Psalm 98:7
愿海和其中所充满的澎湃——见 Psalm 96:11 的注释。
愿世界和住在其间的——指可居住的世界——陆地——与海相对。愿水上与陆上都充满普世的赞美。
英文原文
Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof - See the notes at Psalm 96:11.
The world, and they that dwell therein - The habitable world - the land - in contradistinction from the sea. Let there be universal praise on the water and the land.
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Psalm 98:8
愿大水拍手 - 指江河。愿它们加入这普世的赞美。仿佛它们意识到自己的美丽、雄伟与用处；仿佛它们晓得这一切都是神所赐；仿佛为神向它们、并借它们所显明的良善而喜乐，愿它们联合加入这普世的赞美。比较 Isaiah 55:12 的注释。
愿诸山在耶和华面前一同欢呼 - 指群山——它们仰望神向它们所施的良善——以荣美为它们加冕——以崇高与雄伟为它们披身——愿它们也以神为“它们的”神而喜乐。愿整个自然都这样加入赞美。
Psalm 98:8-9. 所有在地上的：
大鱼和一切深洋；
火与冰雹，雪和雾气；
成就他命的狂风：
大山和小山；
结果的树木和一切香柏树。
英文原文
Let the floods clap their hands - The rivers. Let them join in the universal praise. As if conscious of their beauty, their grandeur, their usefulness; as if sensible that all this was conferred by God; as if rejoicing in the goodness of God manifested to them, and through them, let them unite in the universal praise. Compare the notes at Isaiah 55:12.
Let the hills be joyful together - The mountains - in view of the goodness of God toward them - crowning them with beauty - clothing them with sublimity and grandeur - let them also rejoice in God as "their" God. Let all nature thus join in praise.
Psalm 98:8-9.Praise the Lord from the earth,
Ye dragons and all deeps;
Fire and hail; snow and vapor;
Stormy wind fulfilling his word:
Mountains and all hills;
Fruitful trees and all cedars.
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Psalm 98:9
因为他来了，他来要审判全地……——本节与 Psalm 96:13 基本相同，参见该节的注释。本诗呼吁普世的赞美。这首如此欢欣、如此雀跃、如此活泼、如此洋溢着喜乐的诗篇，单单“诵读”本身就适于唤醒人心去赞美，激发感恩，使人充满喜乐。人读了这篇诗，不可能不成为更快乐的人；不可能不被提升到世界之上；不可能没有对神的崇高认识；不可能不感到他配得这普世的赞美；不可能不承认我们身处一个心中当喜乐的世界，服在一位其治理当使人心充满快乐的神的权下。
英文原文
Before the Lord, for he cometh to judge the earth ... - This verse is essentially the same as Psalm 96:13. See the notes at that verse. The psalm calls for universal praise. The very "reading" of the psalm - so joyous - so jubilant - so animated - so exulting - is suited to awaken the mind to praise; to rouse it to thankfulness; to fill it with joy. One cannot read the psalm without being a happier man; without being lifted above the world; without lofty views of God; without a feeling that he is worthy of this universal praise; without recognizing that we are in a world where the mind should be joyful; that we are under the dominion of a God whose reign should fill the mind with gladness.
本诗的标题只是"诗"。但它的作者是谁，并不为人所知。就其宗旨与结构而言，它与它所属的那组诗篇（Ps. 95-100）相似。霍斯利博士（Horsley）根据他对这组诗之宗旨的看法（参见 Psalm 97:1-12 的引言），认为本诗指的是犹太人的归回。本诗若用于巴比伦被掳之后圣殿的奉献典礼，会很合适，也可能正是为那场合写的。然而，它的性质非常一般，适合教会的一切时代。本诗不容作特别的分析。