Heavenly Devotion: Psalm 98 – A Song of Jubilant Joy

Psalm 98 – A Song of Jubilant Joy

(by Dexter Ng)

Psalm 98 is a psalm of praise to celebrate the kingship and victory of Israel’s God. Past, present and future dealings of God with His people are telescoped together in this grand song.

Verses 1-3: Joyful Celebration of Past Acts of Deliverance

God’s people are summoned to adore the Victor by singing a brand new song. Yes, there are evergreen songs that will never grow old, but to God’s people, as they travelled along life’s road, there are again and again new deliverances and new joys that put new meaning into old songs, all of which will be taken up into the future inauguration of the millennial rule of the land, and finally into the great outburst of joy at the dawn’s of heaven glories.

Here are the reasons for praising God. 1. He has won victories for His people over their foes. 2. His saving help for His people has been announced to every nation. 3. He has remembered His love by fulfilling His promise to be kind to His people.

Here perhaps, the psalmist has in mind God’s great salvation of Israel from Egypt, and the restoration from Babylonian captivity.

Verses 4-6: Worship of the Great King

God’s relationship with Israel is not exclusive. Everybody is to shout his or her praises before God. The whole world is urged to recognise His authority and to submit to it. All the inhabitants on earth must prepare themselves for the Lord’s coming by an open welcome, shouting for joy, bursting into jubilant song, and making music. This praise is in response to the expectation that God’s salvific acts will benefit all who rejoice in His salvation.

Verses 7-9: Awaiting the King-Judge

All created life are commanded to join in Israel’s symphony of praise in the coming of the Great King-Judge to set His just rule. His claim as the King-Judge will be proven true, and it will no longer limited to Israel but extended worldwide. The day of creation’s rehabilitation is at hand. The return of Christ to earth to establish His kingdom will be one of righteousness and equity. Who or what wouldn’t be rejoicing?

 

Let’s Read Psalm 98

1 Sing to the Lord a new song,
    for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
    have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made his salvation known
    and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3 He has remembered his love
    and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
    the salvation of our God.

4 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
    burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the Lord with the harp,
    with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
    shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
    let the mountains sing together for joy;
9 let them sing before the Lord,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
    and the peoples with equity.

 

Let’s Pray

Almighty God and loving Heavenly Father, all praise and glory be to You. As we come before Your presence, remove all forms of idolatry from our hearts, that we will be able to love and worship You, the one true God, with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Teach and empower us to live lives that are pleasing to You, and protect us from the snares of the evil one. In Jesus’ most precious name, Amen!

 

 

About the Heavenly Devotion channel

The Heavenly Devotion channel is dedicated to encouraging you to listen to Bible Scriptures and pray with the Scriptures. They are inspired by the call of service as expressed and exemplified by Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:12-15. 

 

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrew 4:12 NKJV)

 

|Share The Good News|