For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Psalm 98

1 Sing to the Lord a new song,
    for he has done marvellous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
    have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made his salvation known
    and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3 He has remembered his love
    and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
    the salvation of our God.

4 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
    burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the Lord with the harp,
    with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn –
    shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
    let the mountains sing together for joy;
9 let them sing before the Lord,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
    and the peoples with equity.

A. Find Out:    

1. Sing what, and why? v.1
2. The Lord has done what, for whom and with what effect? v.3
3. How does the psalmist encourage this to be done? v.4-6
4. To whom does he next appeal? v.7,8
5. What does he want them to do and why? v.9

B. Think:

1. What has the Lord done?
2. How extensively has this been seen?
3. So what response is the psalmist looking for?

C. Comment:

The first three verses indicate what the Lord has done, and the latter six verses are the psalmist’s call for response.

First, the Lord’s activity. He has brought salvation (v.1-3). Presumably this is in respect of Israel (v.3) and the sense would be of a time of great deliverance, e.g. the return from the Exile. Through this salvation the Lord has shown that He is righteous (v.2), and it has been the expression of His love and faithfulness (v.3). He has remained true to His covenant with Israel and has acted on their behalf. Such ahs been the magnitude of this work of salvation that the whole world has seen it (v.2,3). Now as sure as we are that this applies to Israel (v.3), it could also prophetically be a call from heaven about the salvation that comes to the whole world through the Messiah.

The first natural effect of this salvation coming is joy (v.4,6,8) and that expressed through great songs (v.4)using all the available instruments (v.5,60. To try to catch the enormity of the joy he is feeling over the salvation that has come, the psalmist calls upon all creation to join in and praise the Lord (v.7,8).

Again, as in previous psalms, the psalm concludes with a look into the future – the Lord is coming (future) to judge the earth and His judgement will be utterly righteous, i.e. whatever He says and does in respect of the world will be utterly faultless. Joy! Hallelujah!

D. Application:

1. The Lord has brought His blessing to the inhabitants of the earth.
2. Whoever receives it knows great joy.