SING TO THE LORD FOR HIS SALVATION

Passage: Psalms 98:1-9

Key verse: 1

NIV

Psalm 98
A psalm.

1 Sing to the Lord(A) a new song,(B)
    for he has done marvelous things;(C)
his right hand(D) and his holy arm(E)
    have worked salvation(F) for him.
2 The Lord has made his salvation known(G)
    and revealed his righteousness(H) to the nations.(I)
3 He has remembered(J) his love
    and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth(K) have seen
    the salvation of our God.(L)

4 Shout for joy(M) to the Lord, all the earth,
    burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the Lord with the harp,(N)
    with the harp and the sound of singing,(O)
6 with trumpets(P) and the blast of the ram’s horn(Q)—
    shout for joy(R) before the Lord, the King.(S)

7 Let the sea(T) resound, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it.(U)
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,(V)
    let the mountains(W) sing together for joy;
9 let them sing before the Lord,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
    and the peoples with equity.(X)

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord

A Psalm.

98 Oh sing to the Lord (A)a new song,
    for he has done (B)marvelous things!
His (C)right hand and his holy arm
    have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has (D)made known his salvation;
    he has (E)revealed his righteousness in (F)the sight of the nations.
3 He has (G)remembered his (H)steadfast love and faithfulness
    to the house of Israel.
All (I)the ends of the earth have seen
    (J)the salvation of our God.

4 (K)Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
    (L)break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
    with the lyre and the (M)sound of melody!
6 With (N)trumpets and the sound of (O)the horn
    (P)make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

7 (Q)Let the sea roar, and (R)all that fills it;
    (S)the world and those who dwell in it!
8 Let the rivers (T)clap their hands;
    let (U)the hills sing for joy together
9 before the Lord, for he comes
    to (V)judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
    and the peoples with equity.

Read full chapter
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

This psalm bursts with joy and praises to God. In fact, Isaac Watts wrote the hymn, “Joy to the World” based on this psalm, intended to celebrate the return of Christ as King and Judge (9). In time, it became an American Christmas favorite to celebrate Jesus’ first coming to earth as well.

This is a song praising God for his salvation and for his judgment. God saved his people Israel from slavery in Egypt, and God judged their oppressors. For Christians, God has saved us from sin and death and the devil through Jesus Christ our Lord. God’s saving grace shows his love and faithfulness.

This psalmist invites all nations and even creation to shout for joy to the LORD, the king. People can praise God with their mouths, by shouting and singing, and with musical instruments. The psalmist calls even rivers and mountains to sing for joy, for the LORD comes to judge with righteousness and equity. Praising God fills us with joy.

Prayer: Praise the LORD our King for his saving grace through Jesus Christ our Lord! May we sing with joy to our Savior and King. May all the earth sing praises to you!

One Word: Sing praises to the Lord our Savior!