Psalms 98

Psalms 98:1-9

Worthy of Praise from All the Earth Psalms 98:1-9 This psalm is parallel to Psalms 96:1-13. That dealt with the reign of God; this deals with the victory on which that reign is based, Psalms 98:1. God could create without restraint, but before He could redeem, He had to quell the resistance of evil and to overcome the prince of this world. Hence the long conflict; but salvation was wrought by that Holy Arm which was outstretched on the Cross, and by the Right Hand which gave itself to the nails. In the Resurrection and Ascension our Lord’ s righteousness and salvation were openly manifested. See Colossians 2:15. The “ Hallelujah Chorus” of Psalms 98:4-9 well befits the triumph of Christ. Earth that shared in the fall of man shall participate in his redemption. See Isaiah 32:1-20. Too long has nature groaned and travailed, like an imprisoned captive; but she shall have her rebirth. When Jesus is King, seas and floods, mountains and hills, are filled with music. Nature is like a stringed instrument that awaits tuning and the touch of a master-hand. Revelation 5:1-14, gives the counterpart of the psalmist’ s summons; here the Apostle tells us that the song which started from the elders was echoed back from all things in heaven, on earth, and in the sea, and all that is in them. Be optimistic. Eat your meat with gladness and singleness of heart. You are on the winning and singing side.

A new song In this Psalm the whole creation is summoned to be one great orchestra of praise. It seems as if this summons might have been addressed to all living things, as the elders first began to praise the Lamb in the midst of the Throne (Revelation 5:12-13).

Psalms 98:1. Marvellous things Who can recount them when they include such marvels as redemption, forgiveness, deliverance from the power of sin, the overthrow of Satan and the glory of God through the mystery of pain and evil? The right hand that was nailed to the cross. The holy arm that would not ward off a single blow levelled at Himself.

Psalms 98:2. His salvation … His righteousness It is a great salvation, based on the satisfaction of the noblest moral perfections in God’s nature. “He is just, and the justifier of him that believeth.” In the face of earth and hell, He is Saviour.

Psalms 98:3. Mercy and truth What a wonderful combination! But it is not the house of Israel only who are permitted to participate in them. Gentiles also at the furthest distance may see and receive.

Psalms 98:4. All the earth The hum of bees, the rustle of woods, the murmur of rivers, the boom of ocean waves, are constituent voices in the “joyful noise” of “all the earth.” Inarticulate to man, but precious to God.

Psalms 98:6. A joyful noise before the King There are some who speak as if the Kingship of the Lord Jesus were a subject for melancholy. They dread nothing more than to be the absolute slaves of such a master. How much more faithful is the conception of the Psalmist–that it should be the theme of song!

Psalms 98:9. He cometh To those that love Him, his coming is a theme of joy. This refrain is repeated from Psalms 96:1-13, as if the pious heart can never tire of so sweet a theme.