Psalm 98

Here is yet another Psalm of Victory in the “90’s” that exalts YAHWEH with new, joyful and loud songs of praise.  It’s likeness to other nearby Psalms is emphasized by the almost exact duplication of Psalm 96:11-13 in 98:7-9.  It is not that the Psalmist is short of ideas; it is that he has in mind the same exaltation of the Messiah when He comes to judge the world.

Consider this Psalm and its message in three contexts: past, present and future.

v The impetus for this exaltation likely came from one of Israel’s victories, a victory when God especially showed Himself to be Israel’s savior.  A prime candidate would be the victory over Israel’s eastern neighbors Ammon, Moab and Edom in the days of King Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 20).  After God’s marvelous deliverance, in answer to the King’s great prayer, there was the people blessed God in the Valley of Berachah (Blessing) before returning to Jerusalem with great fanfare of instruments, harps, trumpets and so forth (2 Chron. 20:26-30).  The result for thenations was that they feared God when they saw how He delivered Israel.

v The Church today feels the same call to praise today for the same reason.  Through the victory of Christ in the cross and resurrection (Col. 2:13-15) the “Church on Earth” is assured to become the “Church Triumphant” (Heb. 12:22-24).  We shall be raised victoriously for death is swallowed up in victory through our Lord Jesus Christ and for this reason we are called to give thanks to God (1 Cor. 15:50-58).  The King is in waiting but the victory is already won!  This is reality for God’s people today.  To Him (the One who does exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask or think) be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever (Eph. 3:21).  For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever (Rom. 11:36).  And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.  To Him be glory forever and ever (2 Tim. 4:18).  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Pt. 1:3). 

v The day will come when the King will no longer be in waiting.  He will leave the right hand of the Father and will ride victoriously out of heaven, with His hosts behind Him, and will come to claim His throne, the throne of Zion.  There is no more glorious and hopeful picture than that which is described in Revelation 19:11-21.  Everything about His revelation speaks of victory.  And His first action upon arrival at the Mount of Olives is to subdue His enemies, all His enemies, including the most formidable: Satan, the Antichrist and his false prophet!  All of mankind, yes, all creation are called to give this praise for He is coming to judge the earth … the world … the peoples with equity.