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Psalms 98:3 meaning

God’s unfailing redemption for everyone who turns to Him affirms His glorious salvation across the whole earth.

Psalm 98:3 proclaims that He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God (v.3). The word translated as “lovingkindness” is often the Hebrew term “chesed,” which denotes a loyal, unending mercy and love that God extends to His people. This “chesed” is frequently praised throughout the Psalms for its steadfast nature, and it is closely linked with divine compassion and covenant loyalty. By remembering His faithfulness toward the house of Israel—those descended from Jacob (moving into the Promised Land around 1400 BC and forming a national kingdom under Saul, David, and Solomon)—God shows that He keeps His covenant promises, caring for them throughout their history even when they waver in obedience.

Israel itself historically occupies the eastern Mediterranean region, often referred to in the Old Testament as the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. When the psalmist celebrates that All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God (v.3), it foresees that this saving power will not remain exclusive to Israel but will reach every corner of the globe. The New Testament reveals Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of this worldwide salvation (John 3:16). In Christ, God’s faithfulness is displayed as He offers eternal life to all who believe, uniting Jew and Gentile under one Savior. This universal scope testifies that the LORD’s faithfulness transcends national boundaries, extending the promise of redemption beyond any single group of people.

Through His lovingkindness and His faithfulness (v.3), God binds Himself to those He redeems, inviting each generation to trust in His steadfast love and constant reliability. The psalmist’s joyful declaration of global salvation encourages believers to worship the LORD, confident that His mercy endures and that He will not abandon those who call upon Him. God deserves praise because of His steadfast covenant loyalty—His “chesed”—and His ongoing work of rescuing and reconciling those who turn to Him.

Psalms 98:3