The Bible speaks of salvation in terms of the past, present, and future and it is all completely God’s doing. We cannot do anything to save ourselves or earn salvation. The Old Testament prophets brought God’s Word to His people to help them understand salvation was not just something he would do, but of Someone he would send in the future. To be saved is to be rescued from God’s judgment and Jesus is the Savior.
In our passage today, the psalmist is filled with praise as he anticipates the coming of the Lord to judge and rule the world. The Bible makes it clear there will be a day of judgment. The God who gave the Law is the Judge who has the power to cast a righteous verdict.
This psalm celebrates the Lord’s kingship. God’s people sing in celebration at the coming of the righteous King. The Lord displays his righteous rule to all the nations throughout the earth which will culminate in a worldwide kingdom of justice. No one knows when the coming of the Lord will be; therefore, we must stay focused, endure, and wait patiently for Christ’s return.
Psalm 98: 1-9 NLT A psalm.
1
Sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has done wonderful deeds.
His right hand has won a mighty victory;
his holy arm has shown his saving power!
2
The Lord has announced his victory
and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!
3
He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel.
The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
4
Shout to the Lord, all the earth;
break out in praise and sing for joy!
5
Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song,
6
with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn.
Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King!
7
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
Let the earth and all living things join in.
8
Let the rivers clap their hands in glee!
Let the hills sing out their songs of joy
9
before the Lord,
for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice,
and the nations with fairness.
Prayer: Lord, we love and celebrate you. We know you are merciful, loving, and perfectly just. We also know you cannot overlook sin. Thank you for your promise to rescue and save us. We look for your return. In Jesus’ name. Amen.