2020.03.03 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 98

Read Psalm 98

Questions from the Scripture text: To whom are we to sing (Psalm 98:1)? What kind of song? Why—what has happened to occasion this new song? What has Yahweh made known (Psalm 98:2a)? What has He revealed (verse 2b)? In whose sight? What has He remembered (Psalm 98:3a)? Who has seen this (verse 3b)? Who, then, is to shout joyfully to Him (Psalm 98:4)? Into what are they to break forth (verse 4b)? What priestly instruments are named in Psalm 98:5-6? What parts of creation join this praise in Psalm 98:7-8? At what point (Psalm 98:9) has all of creation become the church?

Next week’s Call to Worship, Prayer for Help, and Song of Adoration come from Psalm 98 in order to sing God’s thoughts after Him with Joy to the World!

There is little that will give us a bigger view of God, more honest view of ourselves, and therefore a more damning view of our sin than beholding God as Creator, Redeemer, King, and Judge.

Here is a psalm that claims to be a “New Song” on the occasion of the Lord’s having won the victory, kept His covenant, spread His church, and returned to judge.

What has gained Him the victory? Not the works of men sustained by Him, but only His own work. His right hand. His holy arm. Because there was none to save, the Lord Himself has come to do the saving—by Himself alone. Hallelujah! (cf. Isaiah 41:28–42:4; Isaiah 59:16–21)

He revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. How? By displaying the Pharisees, who deluded themselves into thinking they were doing a great job of obeying the commandments? No! But by displaying His Son as the payment for sin, showing God’s righteousness to be so complete and so exact that nothing less could ever satisfy it (cf. Romans 3:21–26).

What’s wonderful is that Jesus isn’t just displayed to the nations (at the cross, at Pentecost, and in the spread of the gospel), but He is the Savior of the nations. All who believe into Him are engrafted into Israel. God’s covenant love and covenant faithfulness to Israel (Psalm 98:3) turn the entire earth into His redeemed worshipers (Psalm 98:4).

The nations—and indeed the entire creation (cf. Psalm 98:7-8)—become members of the sacred assembly.
Not only do they sing and shout, but the priestly instruments which were ordained by King David are commanded here to accompany the singing (Psalm 98:5-6). In great David’s greater Son, the priesthood may be abolished, but there is still a melody (grace, Colossians 3:16) played upon an instrument (our hearts, Ephesians 5:19).

This is a song for when all nations shout before their King (Psalm 98:6) upon His coming in glory to be Judge of all (Psalm 98:9)! It’s a salvation song. It’s a Christian song. It’s that New Song that we will sing forever and ever in glory. May God fill our hearts with its praise already now, while we continue to wait for its final fulfillment!

How has God displayed His righteousness and salvation? How does it increase your praise to God to remember that you didn’t contribute anything to your salvation? Who will so praise?

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song to the Lord” or TPH98A “O Sing a New Song to the Lord”