Posts
The author of this Psalm is not known. Psalm 98 is also a Hymn psalm in a section of Enthronement Psalms. However, this Psalm includes more information about the Messiah’s comings, which we learn in the New Testament are two separate comings. First Jesus comes to save sinners by living a holy life in their place and dying in their place. His second coming will involve His judgment of sinners who will not repent, believe, and surrender to His Lordship. This will involve two battles, one before the 1000-year reign and at the end of this reign. It will include also at least one judgement of humans. What do the people of God do before and during Jesus’ first and second comings? They rejoice and sing with multiple instruments the praises of our sovereign saving king who is victorious in His first coming and in the two battles He leads the angels and elect humans to fight against the wicked. Tremper Longman believes this Psalm is “a Divine Warrior victory song celebrating the return of Yahweh the commander of the heavenly hosts who is leading the Israelite army back home after waging victorious holy war.” In the biblical version of this song, it is one that points to the future, and it focuses on Jesus who will overcome the kings and their armies (Rev 19:11–21, 20:9), redeem His people (Rev 14:4), and judge all humans (Matt 25:31–46). Notice how often “a new song” and “redemption” show up together in the Bible.
I. Praising Yahweh for His previous deliverances (vs. 1–3)
A. The new song praises God for His victory
B. The mighty works God has done by Himself—singlehanded miracles
1. Exodus
2. Return from captivity
3. Sending of the Messiah, Jesus
C. Jesus’ Hebrew name, Yeshua is used in vs. 2 and 3
D. Yahweh has revealed His Salvation and His Righteousness
E. The Gentile nations witness the righteous deliverance of Israel
F. Yahweh’s covenant love and awesome faithfulness to Israel is displayed
G. All mankind has seen the victory of the LORD
II. Worshiping Yahweh the great deliverer of His people with music (vs. 4–6)
A. All peoples are to praise God for His salvation
B. They are to use multiple instruments with their songs of praise
C. Those who are delivered burst out in joyful praise
III. Creation rejoices at Yahweh’s coming to the earth (vs. 7–9)
A. Jesus was the agent of the Trinity that made the universe
B. When He comes back, all of creation will make noise
C. These sounds are not the expressive truths offered by free moral agents
D. All of creation is waiting for His return (Rom 8:19–24)
E. Jesus came the first time to save, He is coming back to fight, rule, and judge
F. The victory of King Jesus is a sure thing
Lessons to live by:
• The joy of salvation should fill our songs of praise
• Our joy is made full by God’s righteous deliverance
• We need to make sure we are on the right side when Jesus comes back to battle His enemies. They will lose at His return and at the end of His 1000-year reign
• The LORD’s judgment will be righteous and with exact correctness. Everything secret will be revealed. Every word, thought, and deed will be considered in the verdict
