Psalm 98 is a song celebrating God's victory and justice. Verse 8, "Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing for joy together," is a powerful example of personification. It's giving human-like qualities to elements of nature to express the overwhelming joy and praise due to God.

Here's a breakdown of what it likely means:

"Let the rivers clap their hands": Rivers don't have hands to literally clap. This is imagery. The sound of rushing water, especially over rocks or rapids, can sound like applause. The verse is suggesting that the powerful, dynamic force of the rivers joins in the celebration. The sound of water could be seen as a joyful, enthusiastic response to God's goodness.

"Let the mountains sing for joy together": Mountains, being large and majestic, represent stability, strength, and permanence. They can also symbolize a place where people meet God. The verse imagines the mountains resounding with joy, perhaps with echoes, or simply standing tall and proud as a testament to God's glory. Their sheer existence and grandeur sing of God's power and creativity.

Overall Meaning:

The verse intends to convey that all of creation, not just humans, participates in praising God. It's a universal celebration where even inanimate objects are given voices to express the magnitude of God's actions. It emphasizes the vast scope and impact of God's redemption. When God acts, all creation rejoices!

Here are some key takeaways:

Universality: The verse emphasizes that praise isn't limited to humans; all creation acknowledges and celebrates God's work.
Joyful Response: Nature's reaction is one of exuberant joy and celebration.
Symbolic Language: The verse relies on personification and poetic imagery to convey the depth of feeling.
God's Glory: Ultimately, the purpose is to magnify God's glory and power.

In essence, the verse is an invitation for everything in existence to join in a grand symphony of praise to God. It's a beautiful and evocative image of a world united in gratitude and joy.