PSALM 98

O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.  (Psalm 98, KJV)

Psalm 98

A Psalm of Exuberance

Other Psalms have dealt with sin, defeat,
Despair, or loneliness, but now it is time
To laugh for this is the most joyful Psalm
In the Bible of pure joy and celebration.

“Joy to the World,” by Isaac Watts
Is probably the most joyful and
Exuberant of all our hymns. It is a
Great hymn for praising God.

We can break into praise because Jesus
Has delivered from sin, death and from
Satan, and He did it on the Cross.
How great! How great! What praise we owe.

The Lord is viewed as King of Israel, and
The whole earth which broadens the call
To sing deserved and worthy praises,
With instruments and loud singing of joy.

    “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
       burst into jubilant song with music…”

If rivers can clap their hands, and
Mountains sing for joy, and rocks
Cry out to the almighty God, we can
Praise God in joyful song.

(c) Rex H. Henderson 2003

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