Bible Strands
Psalms 98:9
before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses all creation, commanding rivers and mountains to rejoice as they anticipate the Lord’s arrival. This declaration immediately follows a cosmic summons to praise the Lord’s reign and salvation.
The words — The Hebrew verb בָּא (ba') means "[he is] coming," and the verb יִשְׁפֹּט (yishpot) translates to "he will judge." These terms frame the Lord’s imminent arrival as an act of judicial authority over the earth and the world.
The thread — This theme of the Lord coming to judge the earth with righteousness appears in Psalms 96:13 and is echoed in Acts 17:31 regarding the appointed day of judgment. The parallel phrasing links the psalmist’s proclamation to the New Testament’s declaration of a future, divinely appointed judge.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that divine judgment is certain and will be executed with perfect fairness. It requires the reader to align their perspective with the coming reality rather than current circumstances.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
Cross-references
- Psalms 96:13 before the LORD, for He is coming—He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.
- Acts 17:31 For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”
- Psalms 96:10 Declare among the nations: “The LORD reigns!” The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.
- Psalms 72:2 May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice.
- Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.
- Psalms 67:4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You judge the peoples justly and lead the nations of the earth. Selah
- Isaiah 5:16 But the LORD of Hosts will be exalted by His justice, and the holy God will show Himself holy in righteousness.
- Acts 24:25 As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”
- Romans 2:5 But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.