PSALM 98

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.

Oh sing to the Lord a new song!  What is God up to here? God loves music and he loves when his people sing and make melody. Why does he love music so much?  Because God is a Musician, the Master Musician! And because singing people - a people who sing and make melody and music in their hearts and then out loud glorify God. God's own works and perfections are beautifully reflected in the worship of his people.

Psalm 98 specifically points to God's salvation in the past and his judgment in the future and says, "Sing! Sing joyfully! Make music! All people and all creation!"

Sing, Oh sing of the salvation of God. God wants to thrill his people with Himself and the salvation that he has worked so that they sing! Consider the salvation God has worked in Christ for his people - perfect, complete! He has brought us out of the bondage of our sin. He has delivered us from the sure and impending wrath because of our sins. Through Christ, God has overcome every obstacle.

All our sins are forgiven, our entire future now secure. The Lamb of God has overcome, by His blood forever pure.

Oh sing to the Lord a new song! What are you waiting for! God's people worshiping and happy in him is the greatest apologetic to the world and it is His strategy to bring the nations into this enjoyment of God. "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!" John Piper says, “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.” In other words, global and local missions is a means to bring more and more people, nations, tribes, and tongues in the passionate enjoyment of God so they too can join in the worship of King Jesus! Jesus, our humble Lamb of God suffered and died to purchase for himself people from every tribe, people, language, and tongue. And they will come. And they will sing. And they will sing joyously!

Let all the peoples be glad in God, He is our greatest good. His Kingdom is forever, and filled with holy joy!

With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord! Sing because God comes to judge the earth. God will judge the world with righteousness. He is not an unrighteous Judge. Will not the Judge of all the earth do right? (Genesis 18:25) The answer is obvious; of course he will! And he will judge all peoples with equity. Jesus is the One to whom judgment has been given (John 5:22). Proof of this was given through his resurrection (Acts 17:31). When he comes, all things will be put right. Hallelujah! All that is evil, all that destroys, all that is opposed to what is good, true, and beautiful will be judged and removed! All that will be left is what is praiseworthy, good, beautiful, holy, and a glory to the God of glory.

Praise the God of glory, his judgments are righteous and true. His mercy now extended, salvation is offered to you.

Oh sing to the Lord a new song. For our Lord Jesus Christ is Savior and Judge.