When Jesus Comes to Rule His People

Topic: Praise
Passage: Psalms 98:1–9

December 3, 2019

Commentary

This is a psalm of praise which anticipates the coming of the Lord to rule His people. Jesus fulfilled this anticipation when He came the first time to save His people from their sins (vv. 2-3) and He will fulfill it again when he comes to judge the world (vv. 8-9). The coming of the Lord on this earth is portrayed as an event of great joy. Therefore, three groups are called upon to rejoice: God’s people (vv. 1-3), the whole earth (vv. 4-6), and all of nature (vv. 7-9). Psalm 96 is a twin psalm to this one as it opens in an identical fashion. The writer exhorts all the earth to “sing to the Lord a new song” and praise Him who reigns. He has done marvelous things in saving Israel by His power and will judge the would in righteousness. God’s great salvation is possible because of His love and faithfulness.

Some writers say his reference to “His right hand and His holy arm hath gotten Him the victory” must refer to the decisive victory of the forces of Christ at the great battle of Armageddon (Rev. 19:11-16). Jew and Gentile alike will participate in the Millennial Kingdom for ‘He hath remembered His mercy and His truth toward the house of Israel” but it goes on to say “all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God” (v. 3). The only appropriate response to this prophetic promise of the millennial reign of Jesus Christ upon this earth is to “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord in all the earth” (v. 4). The song we utter to God is to be a loud noise of rejoicing and praise which was regarded as an earnestness of heart (II Chr. 20:19). Also we are to “Sing unto the Lord with the harp as an accompanying instrument,” as well as other musical instruments (vv. 5-6).
 
Not only will the voices of men sing the praises of the Lord, but His natural creation shall praise Him as well (vv. 7-8). The entire world of God’s creation shall join in the praise of their Messiah and Redeemer. Surely this righteous Judge is worthy of our praise (v. 9). God is in control. Events may be great or small, but behind them all are God’s hand and arm. Looking back it is amazing how close Hitler cam to winning the 2nd World war. The invading army  was stopped on the outskirts of Moscow and Stalingrad because of the cold weather.  We can open our maps and see the very line that God had drawn on His map.

Application

I praise the Lord for His promise to save me and to return again.

Psalms 98:1– 9 (NET)

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he performs amazing deeds. His right hand and his mighty arm accomplish deliverance.

2 The Lord demonstrates his power to deliver; in the sight of the nations he reveals his justice.

3 He remains loyal and faithful to the family of Israel. All the ends of the earth see our God deliver us.

4 Shout out praises to the Lord, all the earth. Break out in a joyful shout and sing!

5 Sing to the Lord accompanied by a harp, accompanied by a harp and the sound of music.

6 With trumpets and the blaring of the ram’s horn, shout out praises before the king, the Lord.

7 Let the sea and everything in it shout, along with the world and those who live in it.

8 Let the rivers clap their hands! Let the mountains sing in unison

9 before the Lord. For he comes to judge the earth. He judges the world fairly, and the nations in a just manner.