February 8
Reading: Psalm 98
A Psalm
1 Oh 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 known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it!
8 Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together
9 before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
Like Psalm 96, Psalm 98 begins with the command to “sing to the Lord a new song.” This psalm is all joy and celebration. It is included in the Book of Common Prayer as the “Cantate Domino.”
In the first three verses we are given a series of reasons that we ought to sing praises to Yahweh.
- He has done marvelous things. (vs. 1)
- He has worked salvation for Himself. (vs. 1) Notice He saves people because He wants to.
- He has made His salvation known. (vs. 2) I am so grateful that He has shown me salvation.
- He has revealed His righteousness to all. (vs. 2) Many try to deny it.
- He has remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness to His people. (vs. 3)
- All the earth has seen His salvation. (vs. 3)
Today, consider each of these reasons and praise God for what He has done.
In verses 4-6 it is as if God’s people are urged to get every voice and every instrument out to praise God. Hold nothing back.
In verses 7-9 the sea, the world, the rivers, and the hills are invited to join in the praise before Yahweh. Does this happen? Recall what Jesus said to the Pharisees when He entered Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday; “If these people become silent, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40) In Romans 8:19 we read that, “the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” You could read Psalm 148. Of course, there is Psalm 96:11-12.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
Let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
The Lord’s creation longs for the Lord’s justice and salvation.