Psalm 98

Read Psalm 98

“Oh 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.” The Lord delivered His people out of many difficulties. Every “salvation” that He accomplished for them, was also for His own glory and was ultimately accomplished by His own strength.

The God of Israel did not keep His great saving actions secret. They have been performed before the watching eyes of many other nations. They were also recorded in the Scriptures for future generations. He has never forgotten His “steadfast love and faithfulness” for Israel. Because of His determination to save His children, many other nations have seen the power and love of God.

These great truths were remembered in song by those gathered together in worship in order to inspire them in their devotion to the Lord. They not only sang to God and played instruments for the glory of His Name, they also called upon “all the earth” to “make a joyful noise to the Lord.”

The God of Israel has always been the King of the nations. He would come one day to receive the worship of even the seas, the rivers, the fields, and all the inhabitants of a renewed world. He would judge the earth according to His own perfect standards of righteousness. But first He would be born in humility and would die the death that His own people deserved for their disobedience.

The death of Jesus was effectual not only for the faithful among the Jews, but for all who would call upon His Name from the many people groups throughout the earth. It is our privilege to consider the saving power of Christ through His death on the cross, and to join with the people of God throughout the centuries as we “make a joyful noise to the Lord.”

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Lord God, we sing You songs of glory and rejoice in Your presence. You have saved Your church. All the world will bring You worship. We rejoice before You with our voices and with instruments of celebration. You will surely come to judge the earth.