Psalm 98:2 asserts God’s salvation is seen by all nations. How could this be true if many ancient cultures seem untouched by Hebrew beliefs?

Understanding Psalm 98:2 in Context

Psalm 98:2 in the Berean Standard Bible states: “The LORD has proclaimed His salvation and revealed His righteousness to the nations.” The wording emphasizes that divine rescue and righteousness are not limited to a single people group but extend across all ethnic and cultural boundaries. While it may seem that certain ancient cultures existed without any direct connection to Hebrew beliefs, this verse reflects a broader principle of truth and salvation available through multiple ways that God has chosen to make Himself known.

Universal Revelation Throughout History

From a Scriptural perspective, there is a consistent theme that the Creator reveals Himself not only through specific revelation to the Hebrews but also generally to all peoples. Romans 1:19–20 affirms that creation itself declares God’s “invisible qualities” so that everyone is “without excuse.” This general revelation includes the intricate design of nature, moral intuitions, and a universal sense of spirituality observable among nearly all ancient civilizations. Such revelation points to the reality of God and His righteousness before people even hear the specifics of the Hebrew Scriptures.

This process aligns with the idea that truth about the Creator can be present in varying degrees in different cultures, waiting to be fully clarified by the complete revelation in Scripture. In Acts 14:16–17, there is mention of God’s witness in providing people with “rain from heaven and fruitful seasons,” thereby testifying to His goodness universally. Thus, even when ancient or remote cultures did not possess the Hebrew writings, they were still recipients of divine care and embedded testimonies of God’s sovereign presence.

Salvation Foreshadowed Beyond Israel

The Old Testament contains multiple passages demonstrating that salvation was always intended to reach nations outside Israel. Genesis 12:3 records God’s promise to Abraham that “all the families of the earth” would be blessed through him. Isaiah 49:6 speaks of God’s Servant being “a light for the nations.” These promises underscore that Israel was chosen not merely for itself but to serve as a channel of knowledge, carrying God’s plan of redemption to the entire world.

Scripture also recognizes that some individuals outside Israel displayed faith in the true God, such as Rahab in Joshua 2 and Ruth the Moabitess in the Book of Ruth. Their testimonies reveal that a remnant of faithfulness existed in unexpected places and times, even among people who did not grow up under the direct influence of Hebrew tradition.

Archaeological and Historical Corroborations

Many anecdotal and archaeological pieces of evidence support the idea that knowledge of a supreme Creator and a great moral code was not confined to Hebrew culture:

1. Global Flood Narratives: Flood legends appear in various ancient societies, from Mesopotamia’s Gilgamesh Epic to accounts from indigenous peoples in the Americas. These narratives, though sometimes containing mythical additions, echo Genesis 6–9 and suggest a shared oral tradition pointing to one Creator intervening in human history.

2. Writings Reflecting a Monotheistic “High God” Concept: Anthropologists have discovered that numerous remote tribes refer to a singular “High God,” indicating vestiges of an original understanding of one supreme Deity. In his research, Don Richardson pointed to how many tribal beliefs contain faint reflections of Biblical themes, awaiting fuller illumination.

3. Common Moral Foundations: Comparative studies of ethical codes—such as those found in the ancient Near East, among Greek philosophers, and in far-flung cultures—often reveal similarities to the moral laws found in Scripture (Exodus 20). This continuity suggests a shared moral imprint, aligning with Romans 2:14–15, which explains that God’s law can be written on human hearts.

Divine Providence and Cultural Dissemination

Though many societies seemed isolated, historical data shows active trade routes and surprising spread of information. Archaeological finds reveal that even in supposedly remote regions—such as parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia—there were early cultural exchanges. For example, the Silk Road connected vast territories, potentially carrying bits of spiritual truth, and the presence of Semitic inscriptions or Hebrew-like linguistic elements in unexpected sites draws attention to broader influence than commonly assumed.

In addition, the extraordinary preservation and dissemination of Scriptures throughout history have allowed for cross-cultural encounters in more ways than is sometimes presumed. The existence of ancient synagogues in disparate locations and the spread of Jewish communities during the Babylonian exile and beyond also provided conduits for knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures in different parts of the known world.

Christ’s Ultimate Revelation to the Nations

The fullness of God’s salvation message appears supremely in Christ and reaches across cultural lines (Matthew 28:19–20). Even in earlier centuries, as the gospel spread throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, it touched diverse ethnic groups. In many cases, missionaries encountered cultures that exhibited concepts closely mirroring biblical truths, suggesting a deep imprint of prior general revelation.

Historically noted revivals in places as distant from Israel as Ethiopia (Acts 8:26–40, the account of the Ethiopian eunuch) also demonstrate that the message of Christ crossed national and ethnic boundaries far earlier than often realized. Over time, countless testimonies have arisen in which societies that, on the surface, appeared untouched by biblical narratives have subsequently discovered or embraced them, reflecting that “the LORD has proclaimed His salvation and revealed His righteousness to the nations” (Psalm 98:2).

Addressing Contemporary Skepticism

Skeptics may argue that entire nations in antiquity were never influenced by Hebrew beliefs, yet Scripture teaches that God’s self-revelation is not exclusively dependent on explicit knowledge of the Hebrew texts. The biblical principle of general revelation asserts that creation, conscience, and providence point to a Creator. The consistent testimony of Scripture is that God keeps calling and drawing people from every nation, so that “people from every tribe and tongue” will ultimately recognize His salvation (Revelation 7:9).

Moreover, from a philosophical standpoint, the existence of near-universal moral categories and pervasive religious impulses in human societies suggest an imprint pointing back to a single divine source. While the details of Hebrew revelation may have been partially or indirectly grasped, the broader reality of a sovereign Creator was frequently acknowledged in some form.

Ongoing Fulfillment and Modern Application

The spread of the biblical message in modern times testifies to the continued fulfillment of Psalm 98:2. The translation of Scripture into thousands of languages, along with historical and contemporary mission work, further showcases that no culture is ultimately excluded from hearing of God’s redeeming grace. This underscores the dynamic nature of God’s purpose, fulfilled across millennia, to make known to all nations the plan of salvation through Christ.

In addition, personal accounts of transformed lives in cultures historically considered “closed” to the gospel highlight the truth of Psalm 98:2. These stories align with the scriptural promise that God’s saving work will be declared to every people group, reflecting both the breadth of His plan and His heart for humanity.

Conclusion

Psalm 98:2’s claim that God’s salvation is visible to all nations is supported by a tapestry of Scriptural teachings on general and special revelation, by archaeological and historical insights into widespread spiritual knowledge, and by the progressive disclosure of divine truths over time. Even when certain societies lacked explicit proximity to Hebrew beliefs, God revealed Himself through creation, moral consciousness, historical providences, and the eventual global proclamation of the gospel. This encompassing scope affirms that none are truly left without a testimony of the Creator’s righteousness and that the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan in Christ is indeed meant for people “from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue” (Revelation 7:9).