Psalms 98

Psalms 98:1-3

This psalm is to the same purpose with the two foregoing; it is a prophecy of the kingdom of the Messiah, the joining of up to the world, and the bringing in of the gentiles. It sets forth, 1. The glory of the Redeemer, ver. 1—3. 2. The joy of the redeemed, ver. 4—9. And if they take love Christ’s day at a distance, and in the promise only, rejoiced and triumphant, that, much more reason we have to do so, that for their things accomplished, and share in the better things provided for us, Heb. xi. 40.

¶ A Psalm.

1. O Sing unto the LORD a new song, for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm hath gotten him the victory. 2. The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he? openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. 3. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

We have repeated calls to sing unto the Lord, for our hearts are too often sadly out of tame, and need be urged to the blessed work; and what can enliven them, if this new song doth rest, the subject of which is redeeming love?

Three things are here suggested, as claiming our most enlarged praise.

1. The work Jesus hath wrought. For he hath done marvellous things. His incarnation, miracles, life, death, resurrection, ascension, are all wonderful: his love to sinners; his gifts of pardon, grace, and glory, stupendous: his whole salvation, from its first contrivance to its consummation, marvellous. His right hand and his holy arm hath gotten him the victory. Alone he took the final against our foes, infinitely too great to need assistance, and too jealous of his own honour to accept it. Alone he won the day, vanquished Satan, made an end of sin, destroyed death, shut up the place of hell, opened the grave of heaven. Can we believe it, and not triumph in the God of our salvation?

2. The gospel preached. The Lord hath made known his salvation, himself the great Evangelist, and commissioning his servants in his name to carry the glad tidings to the ends of the earth. His righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen; either the faithfulness of God in fulfilling his promises, or his own divine and all-perfect righteousness, by which the salvation prohibited, and openly shewed, not in dark types, but in his own obedience unto death; and his grace not confined to one people, but all nations freely invited to the faith and privileges of the gospel.

3. The prophecies fulfilled. He hath remembered his mercy and truth towards the house of Israel; appearing as their Messiah in the fulness of tame, according to the promises which were before concerning him. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God; agreeable to the prophetic world, which declared he should be the light to lighten the Gentiles, as well as the glory of his people Israel.

4. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. 5. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. 6. With trumpets and sound of corner, make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. 7. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: the world, and they that dwell therein. 8. Let the floods clap their hands: sea the hills be joyful together. 9. Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth; with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

Psalms 98:4-9

The psalm contains much like the ninety-sixth, with an exploration to all people, with voices and music, a loud to exalt the Redeemer’s name, and with that imprint of affection to his person, zest for his glory, and exceeding great joy, which his transcendently rich salvation should inspire; yes,

the inanimate creation are called upon to join the song of praise to the universal Lord, and the eternal King; whose government, in the dispensation of the gospel, will be ever most full and equitable; and his decisions, when he shall fit upon the throne of final judgment, be altogether righteous, v. 9. Nate, If we know Jesus as our Lord and King, it cannot but minister to no matter of the most enlivened joy, and tune our hearts for his praise in time and in eternity.