All Creation Sings in Psalm 98 for the Gift of Salvation

“Oh 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. The Lord has made known his salvation…” Psalm 98:1-2

When God extends grace and removes the scales from our eyes, we see marvelous things. We see the salvation wrought for us by his right hand and his holy arm. In grace and mercy, it is God who makes known his gift of salvation to us.

We cannot squelch the song that rises up within our hearts. We sing a new song! This new song is birthed in joyful exultation. We cannot keep silent.

“…he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” Psalm 98:2-3

His promised salvation is proof that he is a covenant-keeping God. He does not forget his steadfast love or his faithfulness. He can be trusted, even during loss. From my journey I have been enthused and thrilled to embrace his steadfast love and faithfulness. His salvation is not to be hoarded; his gift of redemption and reconciliation is for all peoples and nations. His gospel is a trust in our hands.

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!” Psalm 98:4-6

News this good cannot be concealed. The church erupts in joyful praise. Across the globe, believers burst into joyful song. People across the world employ the flavors of their diverse cultures to praise his name. Any instrument in any place is conscripted to make joyful music for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

“Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the Lord…” Psalm 98:7-9

Human voices are not alone. All nature shouts praise to the Lord. The surging ocean roars out praise. All creatures in the sea proclaim joyfully. Across the world, all creatures sing for joy. Even rivers praise him with clapping rapids. Look up at the hills and hear their songs of joy. All creation joyfully sings its praise to the Lord.

Humanity and nature join together to respond to the goodness of God. Grace, mercy, and peace have been extended to us and salvation is ours. We’ve received what we did not earn. We’ve been spared what we deserved. Our hearts are at peace. And we respond in joyful praise.

Jesus stands between us and the judgment. Advocate. Propitiation. Redeemer. Friend. Healer. Comforter. As J. Wilbur Chapman has written in his hymn, “Our Great Savior,” “Hallelujah! what a Savior! Hallelujah, what a Friend! Saving, helping, keeping, loving, he is with me to the end.”

He judges with righteousness and equity, and he has given us the gift of salvation. Joyful song should erupt from our lips.

“…for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.” Psalm 98:9