READ Psalm 98:1–6. 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.
SHOUT! This psalm praises God for the exodus (verses 1–3). We know, however, that from the cross Jesus Christ accomplished a greater liberation and reached the nations on a scale beyond anything the exodus did. And Jesus’s victory on the cross explains how Psalm 97, with its intimidating depiction of God’s holiness and wrath, can be followed up by the exuberant praise and joy of Psalm 98. Christ paid for our sins. God sees us as beautifully perfect and righteous “in him” (Philippians 3:9). This means the righteousness of God is not against us but for us. So how do we live? Always live your daily life against the background music of joy (verses 4–6).
Prayer: “Jesus! my Shepherd, Husband, Friend, O Prophet, Priest and King. My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, accept the praise I bring.”96 Amen.