Psalm 98

Psalm 98

¹ Sing to the Lord a new song,
    for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
    have worked salvation for him.
² The Lord has made his salvation known
    and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
³ He has remembered his love
    and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
    the salvation of our God.

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

⁷ Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it.
⁸ Let the rivers clap their hands,
    let the mountains 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.

As Christians, we are told to praise the Lord with singing.  Some are better equipped to sing than others, but all of us are to make a joyful noise.  I think that’s one of the reasons why I love to go to Africa, I can make a joyful noise to my heart’s content, because they don’t care what you sound like.,  I can just open up and let er’ fly.  I wish all of you could experience a worship service in Africa; it is true worship with their whole hearts.  Some may not be on key, but they are praising God with everything they’ve got.  It is so beautiful to see and hear, it’s like being ushered before the throne of God.

In our worship services some Christians seem afraid to open their mouths. They just stand there and stair or they might mumble at best, but if you’re saved, you have a lot to sing about.  We come to church to worship God, so we need to get to it. In verse 4 the psalmist says,” Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; why are we not doing that?  

Verse 2 gives us our reason to rejoice. “² The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.”  As Christians we should always have praise on our lips, because of that reason alone.  In Luke 19:40 we are told of the people praising Jesus and the Pharisees telling Jesus to put a stop to it. “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” 

All the earth and everything in it should be praising God.  Have you ever paid attention to nature?  I mean really listening to God’s creation?  I like to hear the bugs “scream” as I call it. I love to listen to their evening serenade and they can get pretty loud at times, but I noticed something the other day, they are all together.  Their voices, leg or wing rubbing, whatever they are doing, it is as one. It’s like they are singing the same song at the same time.  Imagine if we had one bug is over here singing, his neighbor singing a different tune and all the others doing their own thing, it would be a loud jumble of noise.  But they are all together, singing the same notes at the same time, it’s amazing, it has to be a God thing.  I really believe they are singing to their creator.

After a storm, what is one of the very first things you hear?  It’s usually the sweet song of a bird, giving praise to his maker because the storm is over and he survived. Do we sing praises when we make it through a storm in life?  Do we drop to our knees and thank God for his guidance and protection, or do we just merrily go on our way thinking “Whoosh I dodged a bullet there?

One of my very favorite places to be is in the forest on a mountain.  I feel as if I’m in God’s cathedral when I’m there.  The sound of the wind in the trees, a babbling brook, the birds and insects singing, along with the woodsy forest smell, thrills my soul.  I want to join in praise to my Father, God the creator.

Verses 7-9 state:

 ⁷ Let the sea resound, and everything in it,

    the world, and all who live in it.
⁸ Let the rivers clap their hands,
    let the mountains 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.

This week we will have an opportunity to listen to the sea, the wind, maybe some rain, and shore birds. (Personally, I would love the opportunity to see and hear a whale while we’re here.)  Take the time to listen to their voices lifted in praise, and let it fill you with awe and wonder at the majesty of you God and Savior.  Join them in song as we await his second coming.  Don’t worry about the strange looks you may get from someone standing nearby.  And if anyone asks, tell them who put a song in your heart and the reason you sing.  Remember, Jesus is coming soon and we’re one day closer.  Let his praises ring!