Psalms

Psalms 98: Sing before the saving righteous King

Begin in prayer

Before we join the song of God's salvation, let us remember the King whose saving care reaches the ends of the earth. Let us rejoice before the King, asking that the saving work of Jesus would fill our voices with thanks.

and he will judge between many peoples, and will decide concerning strong nations afar off. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more.

Micah 4:3

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the Lord makes His salvation known and calls creation to rejoice before His fair judgment. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

A new song rises because the Lord's holy arm has worked salvation and made His righteousness known before the nations. His remembered loving kindness and faithfulness toward Israel have become a salvation seen at the ends of the earth. The whole earth must answer with a joyful noise, singing praises to the King. Harp, trumpet and ram's horn give the summons its music before Him. Sea, world, rivers and mountains are called into the same gladness. Their joy welcomes the Lord who comes to judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity.

As you read Psalms 98, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD makes His salvation known among the nations and calls creation to rejoice before His righteous judgment.

The new song answers marvellous saving deeds, giving God's people a fresh occasion to declare what He has done. His right hand and holy arm picture the power by which He has accomplished salvation. Making His righteousness known before the nations joins Israel's rescue to a witness reaching the ends of the earth. Remembering loving kindness and faithfulness means acting on His pledged care, bringing His promise into visible fulfilment. Joyful voices and instruments answer that public salvation before the Lord as King. The harp's melody and the trumpets' sound gather the praise into a royal welcome. Roaring sea, clapping rivers and singing mountains give creation a voice in the celebration. Their pictured joy looks toward His coming judgment, because righteousness and equity promise fair decisions from the world's true King.

How does Psalm 98 show us that the LORD makes His salvation known among the nations and calls creation to rejoice before His righteous judgment?

God's mighty salvation makes His faithfulness known to the nations.

The Lord's holy arm pictures the strength that has worked salvation. His care for Israel shows His loving kindness and faithfulness in action. What He has done must become news reaching the ends of the earth.

God's righteous judgment calls the whole creation to joyful praise.

Voices and instruments sound before the Lord as King. Rivers clap and mountains sing in the song's picture of creation joining them. His coming judgment gives their celebration a firm ground, since He will judge with righteousness and equity.

Memorise

Yahweh has made known his salvation. He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

Psalm 98:2

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what saving work of Jesus am I ready to praise and make known?

The new song declares, “Yahweh has made known his salvation.” His holy arm has done marvellous things, and the ends of the earth have seen His saving care. The whole creation is called to rejoice before the King who comes to judge fairly.

Our sins make us guilty before that righteous Judge. Jesus carried His people's sin and suffered the punishment their guilt deserved when He died on the cross. He rose from death. The Saviour has fully secured His people's acceptance before God, completing the obedience and offering that their guilt required.

Turn from your sin and receive Jesus by faith. Forgiveness belongs to all who come to Him. Ask Him for a grateful voice that makes His salvation known beyond your own home. Those who trust Him can rejoice in the King whose saving work is complete and whose coming judgment will be righteous.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the Lord makes His salvation known and calls creation to rejoice before His fair judgment. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for making His salvation known and ask for joy that welcomes His righteous rule. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

They said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of your speaking; for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

John 4:42

Saving King, please lead us to Jesus for forgiveness before Your righteous judgment. Thank You for the complete salvation His death and resurrection have secured. Give us glad and thankful voices, and help us tell what You have done. Make Your saving work known among the nations, and teach us to await Your coming with reverent joy. Amen.