Psalm
98:2–6; antiphon, Psalm 98:1—During Eastertide, it is our great joy to sing
wonderful songs of praise to the Lord
in His royal honor. A new song is called for as we consider all the marvelous
things He has done for us. He has made known His salvation in the
person of His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Because of His steadfast love
and faithfulness to the spiritual house of Israel, that is, the Christian
Church (Romans
9:6–8), we have been saved from sin, death, and everlasting
condemnation.
Psalm 98 – A
New Song for the LORD’s Marvelous Deeds
This psalm is simply titled A Psalm, and it is the
only one given that simple title with no other explanation. Like Psalm 96, it
speaks of praise to God for His work of salvation in widening circles – first
Israel, then all the earth, and finally all creation.
A noble, spirit-stirring Psalm. It may have been
written on the occasion of a great national triumph at the time; but may,
perhaps, afterwards be taken up at the period of the great millennial restoration
of all things.
There are striking parallels between the first part of
Psalm 98 and Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), which may mean that the mother
of Jesus had the psalm in mind as she composed her hymn and that she rightly
saw that the promises of the psalm were to be fulfilled in the spiritual
victories to be achieved by Jesus Christ.
The Newness of the Resurrection Turns Sorrow into Joy
On earth “you
will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (John 16:20). Already
the Spirit grants you peace and joy through the forgiveness of your sins. For
by the cross of Christ, “God has granted repentance that leads to
life” (Acts
11:18). His Gospel is “a message by which you will be saved, you
and all your household” (Acts 11:13–14). He gives freely
“from
the spring of the water of life” (Rev. 21:6), “and death shall be no more”
(Revelation 21:4). He dwells with His people, adorning His Church as a bride
for her husband, “making all things new” (Revelation 21:5). Therefore, as the
Son of Man is glorified by His cross, “and God is glorified in Him” (John 13:31), so He
is glorified in us by our “love for one another” (John 13:35), which
His Spirit works in us by His grace.
Collect
for Psalm 98: Lord, we sing to you a new song, for your
victory is ever new. In the empty tomb you have given us a glimpse of your future
and in your victory over death you have shown us how we shall overcome the last
enemy. As the seas roar and the hills sing together, we too will praise you for
your great triumph, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever.
-09 May, 2022
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