Psalms 98:1-9
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.
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 cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
7 Let the sea roar, and the fulnessa thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
8 Let the floods clap their hands: let 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.
Another song of worship on the pattern of Psalms 96:1. It opens and closes in the same way. A new song and its ultimate reason, the judging of the earth by Jehovah with righteousness and with truth. Here also the circles widen. Beginning with Israel (vv. Psa 98:1-3), the whole earth is included (vv. Psa 98:4-6); and finally all nature (vv. Psa 98:7-8).
As the singer rejoices over the salvation of God manifested on behalf of Israel, he emphasises the fact that it has been wrought by Jehovah alone. “His right hand, and His holy arm”; these were the only instruments available for, or capable of working deliverance. In proportion as the vision is filled with the glory of the Lord, the heart is filled with gladness, and the lips with song. This is as true today as ever. It sometimes seems as though all singing were out of place save as faith keeps its eye mysterious as ever, and the outlook as full of gloom. Yet “He hath done marvellous things,” and “He cometh to judge.” This vision of God in the past and the future creates the song of the present.