SING TO THE LORD FOR HIS SALVATION

Psalm 98:1-9 / Keywords 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.

 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.

1. This psalm bursts with joy and praises to God. In fact, Isaac Watts wrote the hymn, “Joy to the World” based on this psalm, intended to celebrate the return of Christ as King and Judge (9). In time, it became an American Christmas favorite to celebrate Jesus’ first coming to earth as well.

 

2. This is a song praising God for his salvation and for his judgment. God saved his people Israel from slavery in Egypt, and God judged their oppressors. For Christians, God has saved us from sin and death and the devil through Jesus Christ our Lord. God’s saving grace shows his love and faithfulness.

 

3. This psalmist invites all nations and even creation to shout for joy to the LORD, the king. People can praise God with their mouths, by shouting and singing, and with musical instruments. The psalmist calls even rivers and mountains to sing for joy, for the LORD comes to judge with righteousness and equity. Praising God fills us with joy.

 

Prayer Praise the LORD our King for his saving grace through Jesus Christ our Lord! May we sing with joy to our Savior and King. May all the earth sing praises to you!

One Word Sing praises to the Lord our Savior!