Monday, April 14, 2014

Reflections on Psalms 98

 Psalms 98(Contemporary English Version)

  1. Sing a new song to the LORD! He has worked miracles, and with his own powerful arm, he has won the victory.
  2. The LORD has shown the nations that he has the power to save and to bring justice.
  3. God has been faithful in his love for Israel, and his saving power is seen everywhere on earth.
  4. Tell everyone on this earth to sing happy songs in praise of the LORD.
  5. Make music for him on harps. Play beautiful melodies!
  6. Sound the trumpets and horns and celebrate with joyful songs for our LORD and King!
  7. Command the ocean to roar with all of its creatures, and the earth to shout with all of its people.
  8. Order the rivers to clap their hands, and all of the hills to sing together.
  9. Let them worship the LORD! He is coming to judge everyone on the earth, and he will be honest and fair.

In this psalm the whole earth is called upon to praise the Lord for the wonders He has performed and the victory He has won. These wonders and victories have been on behalf of Israel but have been revealed "in the sight of the nations." (98:2) God's purpose in choosing Israel was to provide a witness to all people of His wonders and victories. Through this witness all people could choose to worship Him.

In verse 4 the psalmist extends his invitation to "all the earth" to shout to the Lord and be jubilant. One who is a gentile might wonder why he should praise the Lord for His love and faithfulness to "the house of Israel," but the focus here is on the Lord's love and faithfulness and His wonders and victories, not on Israel. What He did for Israel was just a demonstration of what He will do for all people. It is available to all.

In verses 8 & 9 all creation is brought into the invitation to "shout together for joy before the Lord." This is because He is "coming to judge the earth." Our typical thoughts of judgment would not evoke rejoicing, but for those who worship the Lord, it is a good thing, for "He will judge the world righteously and the peoples fairly." (98:9) This means that all of the injustice that has gone on in the world will be set right. Those who have contributed to the injustice have reason to fear the Lord's coming, but those who have suffered from the injustice have reason to rejoice.

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