Meaning of Psalms 98:9

Psalm 98:9 calls for a joyful and anticipatory song directed towards the Lord because of His imminent arrival to judge the earth. This judgment is not portrayed as arbitrary or vengeful, but as an act of perfect righteousness and equitable dealing with all peoples. The verse anticipates a divine intervention that will set the world aright, establishing justice and fairness. This judgment is a cause for rejoicing because it signifies the ultimate triumph of God's character and His covenant faithfulness over injustice and chaos. The act of singing "before the Lord" emphasizes worship and acknowledgment of His sovereignty, even in the context of His judicial pronouncements.

Context and Background

Psalm 98 is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving, celebrating God's victorious acts, particularly His deliverance and salvation. It recounts God's mighty deeds, His faithfulness to Israel, and His universal reign. The opening verses (98:1-3) call for singing a new song because of God's wondrous works, His salvation, and His righteousness revealed to the nations. The subsequent verses (98:4-8) elaborate on this, describing the earth rejoicing, the sea roaring, the rivers clapping their hands, and the mountains singing for joy at the presence of the Lord. This climactic statement in verse 9, therefore, serves as the culmination of the psalm's exultation, focusing the praise on God's coming to execute justice.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Judgment as a Cause for Joy: Contrary to a purely fearful perception of judgment, this verse presents it as a reason for singing. This is because God's judgment is inherently righteous and equitable, promising restoration and vindication for the oppressed.
• God's Righteousness and Equity: The judgment will be characterized by perfect justice ("righteousness") and fair treatment for all ("equity"). This highlights God's moral perfection and His impartial governance of the world.
• Universal Scope of God's Rule: The judgment encompasses the "earth," the "world," and "peoples," underscoring that God's dominion and judicial authority extend to all creation and all humanity.
• Anticipation of God's Arrival: The phrase "for he comes" indicates an imminent or expected arrival, suggesting a future intervention that will bring about this righteous judgment.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse encourages believers to view God's ultimate justice not with dread but with hope and anticipation. It calls for a life lived in awareness of God's sovereign rule and His commitment to justice. For Christians, the ultimate fulfillment of this judgment is seen in the person and work of Jesus Christ, whose first coming ushered in a new era and whose second coming will bring final judgment and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. Therefore, believers are called to live justly and to trust in God's ultimate vindication, singing praises even amidst present injustices, knowing that God will ultimately set all things right.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Psalm 98:9 resonates with the overarching biblical narrative of God's progressive revelation of His plan for humanity. It anticipates the prophetic pronouncements of judgment and salvation found throughout the Old Testament, such as in the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah. More significantly, it finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament. Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection are seen as the inauguration of God's kingdom and His righteous judgment on sin. His promised return signifies the completion of this judgment, the defeat of evil, and the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells (Revelation 21:1-4).

Analogies

One analogy for this verse is that of a wise and just king who is about to visit his realm to correct abuses and ensure fairness. His arrival, though it may bring consequences for wrongdoers, is a source of immense relief and joy for the righteous, who have been suffering under injustice. The singing before his arrival signifies the anticipation of peace, order, and justice being restored.

Another analogy could be a skilled surgeon preparing to perform a necessary operation. While the procedure itself might be daunting, the ultimate goal is healing and restoration. The anticipation of the surgery is filled with hope for a healthy future, just as the anticipation of God's judgment is filled with the hope of a perfectly ordered and just creation.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse has significant parallels with other scriptural passages:

• Psalm 96:10: "Say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns!' Therefore the world is firmly established; it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity." This verse shares the theme of God's reign and His equitable judgment.
• Isaiah 11:3-5: This prophecy describes the Messiah's judgment, stating, "And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth..." This highlights the righteousness and equity that will characterize God's judgment.
• Acts 17:31: Paul, speaking in Athens, states, "because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the whole world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead." This directly connects God's future righteous judgment with the resurrection of Jesus.
• Revelation 20:11-15: This passage describes the final judgment of the dead, emphasizing that individuals will be judged "according to what they had done" and that the books will be opened, signifying a thorough and just reckoning.