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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 98:8 Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/98-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/19_Psa_098_008.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 98:8 - Sing to the LORD a New Song" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/98-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/98-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/98.htm">Chapter 98</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/98-7.htm" title="Psalm 98:7">◄</a> Psalm 98:8 <a href="/psalms/98-9.htm" title="Psalm 98:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/98.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/98.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/98.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/98.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/98.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/98.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Let the floods clap <i>their</i> hands: let the hills be joyful together<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/98.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Let the rivers clap <i>their</i> hands; Let the hills be joyful together<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/98.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />May the rivers clap their hands, May the mountains sing together for joy<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/98.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/98.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the mountains sing together for joy<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/98.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/98.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the mountains sing together for joy <i>and</i> delight<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/98.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains shout together for joy<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/98.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains shout together for joy <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/98.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Let the floods clap their hands; Let the hills sing for joy together<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/98.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Order the rivers to clap their hands, and all the hills to sing together. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/98.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/98.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Let the rivers clap their hands and the mountains sing joyfully<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/98.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Clap your hands, you rivers; you hills, sing together with joy before the LORD, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/98.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />let the rivers clap their hands in unison; and let the mountains sing for joy<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/98.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Let the rivers clap their hands! Let the mountains sing in unison <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/98.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing for joy together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/98.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/98.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/98.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing for joy together. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/98.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Floods clap hand, together hills cry aloud,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/98.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Floods clap hand, together hills cry aloud,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/98.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The rivers shall clap the hand: the mountains shall rejoice together.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/98.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The rivers shall clap their hands, the mountains shall rejoice together <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/98.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 97:8>The rivers will clap their hands, the mountains will exult together,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/98.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Let the rivers clap their hands, the mountains shout with them for joy, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/98.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/98.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills be joyful together<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/98.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The rivers will clap hands together and the mountains will sing<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/98.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Let the floods clap their hands; Let the mountains sing for joy together;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/98.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The rivers shall clap their hands together; the mountains shall exult.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/98-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=12256" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/98.htm">Sing to the LORD a New Song</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>Let the sea resound, and all that fills it, the world, and all who dwell in it. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5104.htm" title="5104: nə·hā·rō·wṯ (N-mp) -- A stream, river. From nahar; a stream; figuratively, prosperity.">Let the rivers</a> <a href="/hebrew/4222.htm" title="4222: yim·ḥă·’ū- (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To strike, clap. A primitive root; to rub or strike the hands together.">clap</a> <a href="/hebrew/3709.htm" title="3709: ḵāp̄ (N-fs) -- Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan. From kaphaph; the hollow hand or palm; figuratively, power.">their hands,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: hā·rîm (N-mp) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">let the mountains</a> <a href="/hebrew/3162.htm" title="3162: ya·ḥaḏ (Adv) -- Unitedness. From yachad; properly, a unit, i.e. unitedly.">sing together</a> <a href="/hebrew/7442.htm" title="7442: yə·ran·nê·nū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To give a ringing cry. A primitive root; properly, to creak, i.e. To shout.">for joy</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>before the LORD, for He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-12.htm">Isaiah 55:12</a></span><br />You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-23.htm">Isaiah 44:23</a></span><br />Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O depths of the earth. Break forth in song, O mountains, you forests and all your trees. For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and revealed His glory in Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-13.htm">Isaiah 49:13</a></span><br />Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; break forth in song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/35-1.htm">Isaiah 35:1-2</a></span><br />The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. / It will bloom profusely and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-10.htm">Isaiah 42:10-12</a></span><br />Sing to the LORD a new song—His praise from the ends of the earth—you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who dwell in them. / Let the desert and its cities raise their voices; let the villages of Kedar cry aloud. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them cry out from the mountaintops. / Let them give glory to the LORD and declare His praise in the islands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-19.htm">Romans 8:19-22</a></span><br />The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. / For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-40.htm">Luke 19:40</a></span><br />“I tell you,” He answered, “if they remain silent, the very stones will cry out.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/96-11.htm">Psalm 96:11-13</a></span><br />Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea resound, and all that fills it. / Let the fields exult, and all that is in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/93-3.htm">Psalm 93:3-4</a></span><br />The floodwaters have risen, O LORD; the rivers have raised their voice; the seas lift up their pounding waves. / Above the roar of many waters—the mighty breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is majestic.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/89-5.htm">Psalm 89:5-6</a></span><br />The heavens praise Your wonders, O LORD—Your faithfulness as well—in the assembly of the holy ones. / For who in the skies can compare with the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/65-12.htm">Psalm 65:12-13</a></span><br />The pastures of the wilderness overflow; the hills are robed with joy. / The pastures are clothed with flocks, and the valleys are decked with grain. They shout in triumph; indeed, they sing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/47-1.htm">Psalm 47:1</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout unto God with a voice of triumph.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/19-1.htm">Psalm 19:1-4</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. / Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. / Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/5-13.htm">Revelation 5:13</a></span><br />And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/19-6.htm">Revelation 19:6</a></span><br />And I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude, like the rushing of many waters, and like a mighty rumbling of thunder, crying out: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together</p><p class="hdg">let the floods</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/47-1.htm">Psalm 47:1</a></b></br> To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/11-12.htm">2 Kings 11:12</a></b></br> And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and <i>gave him</i> the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/55-12.htm">Isaiah 55:12</a></b></br> For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap <i>their</i> hands.</p><p class="hdg">hills</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/65-12.htm">Psalm 65:12,13</a></b></br> They drop <i>upon</i> the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/98-4.htm">Aloud</a> <a href="/psalms/47-1.htm">Clap</a> <a href="/psalms/98-6.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/psalms/93-3.htm">Floods</a> <a href="/psalms/98-6.htm">Glad</a> <a href="/psalms/98-1.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/psalms/95-5.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/psalms/97-5.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/psalms/98-6.htm">Joy</a> <a href="/psalms/98-6.htm">Joyful</a> <a href="/psalms/97-5.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/psalms/93-3.htm">Rivers</a> <a href="/psalms/98-5.htm">Sing</a> <a href="/psalms/93-4.htm">Sounds</a> <a href="/psalms/78-44.htm">Streams</a> <a href="/psalms/94-21.htm">Together</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/100-1.htm">Aloud</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-32.htm">Clap</a> <a href="/psalms/102-1.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/songs/8-7.htm">Floods</a> <a href="/psalms/100-1.htm">Glad</a> <a href="/psalms/104-28.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/psalms/102-25.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/psalms/104-6.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/psalms/100-1.htm">Joy</a> <a href="/psalms/100-1.htm">Joyful</a> <a href="/psalms/104-6.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/psalms/107-33.htm">Rivers</a> <a href="/psalms/98-9.htm">Sing</a> <a href="/psalms/108-2.htm">Sounds</a> <a href="/psalms/119-136.htm">Streams</a> <a href="/psalms/102-22.htm">Together</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 98</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/98-1.htm">The psalmist exhorts the Jews</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/98-4.htm">The Gentiles</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/98-7.htm">And all the creatures, to praise God</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/98.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/98.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Let the rivers clap their hands</b><br>This phrase uses vivid imagery to personify nature, suggesting that even the rivers participate in worship and celebration of God's majesty. In biblical literature, rivers often symbolize life and sustenance, as seen in <a href="/genesis/2-10.htm">Genesis 2:10-14</a> and <a href="/revelation/22.htm">Revelation 22:1-2</a>. The clapping of hands is a universal gesture of joy and approval, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/55-12.htm">Isaiah 55:12</a>, where nature rejoices in God's redemption. This imagery emphasizes the idea that all creation is involved in the praise of the Creator, reflecting the harmony and order established by God.<p><b>Let the mountains sing together for joy</b><br>Mountains in the Bible often represent strength, stability, and the presence of God, as seen in <a href="/exodus/19-16.htm">Exodus 19:16-20</a> and <a href="/psalms/121.htm">Psalm 121:1-2</a>. The idea of mountains singing together for joy suggests a unified response of creation to God's righteous rule and salvation. This phrase echoes the prophetic vision of a restored creation found in <a href="/isaiah/44-23.htm">Isaiah 44:23</a>, where the earth rejoices at God's deliverance. The mountains' song can also be seen as a type of Christ's triumphal entry, where creation acknowledges His kingship, paralleling the New Testament depiction of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem in <a href="/luke/19-37.htm">Luke 19:37-40</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/rivers.htm">Rivers</a></b><br>Symbolic of creation, often representing life, abundance, and the natural world praising God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/mountains.htm">Mountains</a></b><br>Frequently used in Scripture to signify strength, stability, and the grandeur of God's creation.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/joyful_praise.htm">Joyful Praise</a></b><br>The event of creation itself joining in the worship and adoration of God, highlighting the universal call to praise.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/creation's_praise.htm">Creation's Praise</a></b><br>Recognize that all of creation is designed to glorify God. Just as rivers and mountains are depicted as praising God, we too are called to join in this universal chorus of worship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_nature.htm">Symbolism of Nature</a></b><br>Understand the symbolic language of Scripture. Rivers and mountains represent more than physical entities; they embody the strength, stability, and life that God provides.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/joy_in_worship.htm">Joy in Worship</a></b><br>Embrace joy in our worship practices. The imagery of nature clapping and singing encourages us to express our praise with enthusiasm and delight.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_praise.htm">Unity in Praise</a></b><br>Reflect on the unity of creation in worship. Just as diverse elements of nature come together in praise, believers are called to unite in worship, transcending differences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/anticipation_of_redemption.htm">Anticipation of Redemption</a></b><br>Consider how creation's praise points to the future redemption and restoration of all things. Our worship is a foretaste of the ultimate renewal God promises.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_98.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 98</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_isaiah_23_4's_sea_lament_literal.htm">In Isaiah 23:4, how can the sea itself lament or mourn, and should this be taken literally or figuratively? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/(psalm_24_7)_why_personify_gates_evidence.htm">(Psalm 24:7) Why does the text personify gates to “lift up their heads,” and is there any historical or archaeological evidence this metaphorical language was taken literally? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_psalm_65_13_literal_or_poetic.htm">(Psalm 65:13) Can the depiction of fields and valleys rejoicing be taken literally, or should it be viewed purely as poetic language?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_are_seas_rivers_literally_praising_god.htm">Psalm 98:7-8 depicts seas and rivers praising God. How are we to accept these as literal events rather than poetic symbolism?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/98.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">Clap their hands.</span>--This expression, descriptive of the lapping sound of waves, occurs also in <a href="/isaiah/55-12.htm" title="For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.">Isaiah 55:12</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Let the hills be joyful together.</span>--<p>"Far along,<p>From peak to peak, the rattling crags among,<p>Leaps the live thunder! Not from one long cloud,<p>But every mountain now hath found a tongue,<p>And Jura answers through her misty shroud<p>Back to the joyous Alps who call to her aloud."<p>BYRON: <span class= "ital">Childe Harold, </span>canto iii.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/98.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Let the floods clap their hands.</span> This bold metaphor occurs only here and in <a href="/isaiah/55-12.htm">Isaiah 55:12</a>, where the "trees" are asked to "clap their hands." <span class="cmt_word">Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord;</span> or, <span class="accented">sing for joy together; i.e.</span> join with the rest of nature in expressing gladness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/98-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Let the rivers</span><br /><span class="heb">נְהָר֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(nə·hā·rō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5104.htm">Strong's 5104: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stream, prosperity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">clap</span><br /><span class="heb">יִמְחֲאוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(yim·ḥă·’ū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4222.htm">Strong's 4222: </a> </span><span class="str2">To rub, strike the hands together</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their hands,</span><br /><span class="heb">כָ֑ף</span> <span class="translit">(ḵāp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3709.htm">Strong's 3709: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan</span><br /><br /><span class="word">let the mountains</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mountain, hill, hill country</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sing together</span><br /><span class="heb">יַ֝֗חַד</span> <span class="translit">(ya·ḥaḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3162.htm">Strong's 3162: </a> </span><span class="str2">A unit, unitedly</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for joy</span><br /><span class="heb">יְרַנֵּֽנוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ran·nê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7442.htm">Strong's 7442: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give a ringing cry</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/98-8.htm">Psalm 98:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/98-8.htm">Psalm 98:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/98-8.htm">Psalm 98:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/98-8.htm">Psalm 98:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/98-8.htm">Psalm 98:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/98-8.htm">Psalm 98:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/98-8.htm">Psalm 98:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/98-8.htm">Psalm 98:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/98-8.htm">Psalm 98:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/98-8.htm">Psalm 98:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/98-8.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 98:8 Let the rivers clap their hands (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/98-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 98:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 98:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/98-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 98:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 98:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>