PSALM 98 - A NEW SONG

 

PSALM 98

A NEW SONG

Psalm 98 continues the theme of the kingship of God.

The psalm divides into three parts: 

(1) praise to the Lord because of mighty deeds in the past (verses 1-3);

(2) praise to the Lord the ruling King in the present 

(verses 4-6);

(3) a call to nature also to praise the Lord who will come in the future to set things right in the world 

(verses 7-9).

A New Song - God’s Marvelous Deeds

98:1-3

The heading “A Psalm” designates this as a musical piece suitable for use in worship. The psalm itself calls for instrumental accompaniment, with both stringed (verse 5) and brass instruments (verse 6).

The call for a new song seems to relate to a specific event or events not named. It is likely composed in response to a great victory given to Israel by God. The new song should be sung about the marvelous things God has done generally and, specifically, relating to saving his people. 

Originally, his people were the Israelites. 

There were many times God saved Israel from impossible circumstances by doing great things. For example, he rescued Israel from Egypt through the miraculous plagues. Many times he gave them victory over enemies who had superior military capability. He also delivered the Jews from their captivity in Babylon and restored them to their homeland. These were seen by other nations outside of Israel. (3) In other words, he revealed his kingship to the world through his marvelous deeds. 

God acted out of his covenant love for his people, his “steadfast love and faithfulness”. (3) In response, his people should exalt him as their savior. 

Believers can now apply this to themselves as they are a chosen race, a holy nation, and a people for his own possession. (2 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 1:4-6) )

Now, in our time, the church sings a new song to praise the Lord Jesus for the ultimate salvation, redeeming us from our sins. 

Revelation 5 has a picture of this happening in heaven. Those in heaven sing a new song praising the lord for ransoming people for God from all over the earth and making them a kingdom and priests to God the Father.

We can also write new songs for worship that commemorate the victories God has given us. “There must be new songs on new occasions of triumph.” (Spurgeon)

A New Song With Voices & Instruments

98:4-6

The psalmist tells all the world to join in the joyous new song, making a joyful noise with their voices and their instruments. He names stringed instruments, trumpets, and horns. These praises are made to the Lord as King. 

Nature called to praise the Lord who will come in to judge 

98: 7-9

In addition to people, nature is called to praise the Lord. The sea and its creatures, the land (world) and it inhabitants, the rivers and the hills are all to sing and clap with joy. The reason for this is that the Lord comes to judge the earth. 

Just as the Old Testament kings had authority to judge, the King of Creation has the authority to judge. He will do so with righteousness and equity. 

Parallels To Consider

There are parallels between the first part of Psalm 98 and the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), the song sung by Mary after the angel told her she would be the mother of the Savior. This may mean that Mary had this psalm in mind as she sang her song. She also understood that the psalm was to be fulfilled in the spiritual victories to be achieved by Jesus Christ.

The psalm starts with “sing to the LORD a new song” and Mary began with “My soul magnifies the Lord”. The psalm says “he has done marvelous things”. Mary song “He who is mighty has done great things for me”. The psalm says God remembers his steadfast love. Mary sang He has helped his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy. (Luke 1:51,54)

Isaac Watts wrote the hymn “Joy To The World” reflecting on this psalm. Although it is usually sung at Christmas, it is actually about the Second Coming of Christ. It emphasizes the reign of Christ over creation: “let earth receive her king”; “the Savior reigns”; “he rules the world in truth and grace”. 

Watts also wrote of nature rejoicing: “let heaven and nature sing” and “fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains, Repeat the sounding joy.”

Takeaways

Since the psalm does not limit our thinking to one instance of God’s salvation of his people, we are free to think of the many great things he has done for us. Greatest of these is his deliverance of his people from the penalty of our sins purely as a matter of his grace.