Psalm Chapter 98

A Psalm.

Psalm 98:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.

We may ask, what victory? This was written way over 2000 years ago and there is no victory. Where is the victory that is talked of here?

Many of the Psalms are prophetic and point the reader to what is coming in the future. Israel has always been oppressed by their enemies. Usually it is because of their disobedience to God many times as we see from the Old Testament writings. The victory is yet to come for Israel. Israel will have bad times until they come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ who will deliver them from their enemies in the future. This is a done deal. In saying that though, we do see them get victory time and after in the writings of the Old Testament. Delivery from Egypt bondange, delivery from many enemies in the days of the kings, victory after the Babylon captivity, and in the latter days will be the final victory over all who hate them. This applies to all who are faithful to the Lord and trust in Him.

Psalm 98:2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

This salvation is the deliverance of Israel from the enemy and ushering the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Israel has long waited for their Messiah to come. They missed His first visit. They were expecting a conquering hero to defeat their enemies that surround them. Unfortunately, God had to deal with sin first. This is why Israel did not recognize the first visitation of the Messiah. They were not looking for a savior from sin, they were looking for a savior from the Roman Empire at the time.

Jesus was that Messiah who fulfilled the word of the prophets of old. Before God delivers from evil rulers, a nation has to repent and turn to God. The sin question has to be dealt with first before God will deliver from natural enemies.

Every time Israel was given over to enemies in the Old Testament, they were never delivered until they repented and turned back to God. God finally sent them Jesus the Son of God, to give them an answer to the sin problem. This is not just for Israel but to the whole world. When they rejected Him, the gospel went to the Gentiles.

We now see the gospel going all over the world but we see many Gentile nations starting to reject the gospel and adopt secular humanism and other ways instead of God. The gospel will return to Israel shortly just before or at the return of Jesus Christ. They will look upon the one their ancestors pierced. They will see the nail prints in His hands and mourn that some of their ancestors hurt their own deliverer and savior.

I say some of their ancestors because many including the twelve apostles, received Jesus Christ and started the spreading of the gospel which is still ongoing as I write.

Psalm 98:3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

This is yet to come although it was fulfilled in part at the first coming of Jesus when the angels, the shepherds, the wise men, Simeon, Anna and later the disciples recognized the savior of the world.

Psalm 98:4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

This describes the second coming of Jesus Christ when He will judge the earth and divide evil nations from good nations. Then and only then will there be peace in the Middle East and all over the world.

He is coming, He is coming. That is a reason for us all to rejoice if we know the Lord. At last righteousness and godliness will prevail and evil will be destroyed. The only ones to fear would be those that reject Jesus and reject righteousness. If you prefer to remain in sin and reject Jesus, then you have reason to fear the coming of Jesus, otherwise we should rejoice in His coming.

How can we be ready? Repent of sin and turn to Jesus asking Him to coming into our lives. He will then give us the gift of eternal life and send His Holy Spirit to abide with us continually. DC

Psalm 99

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