September 17, 2024
Clapping Rivers? Singing Hills? Is This the Sound of Music?
Psalm 98
Michael Stubbs
Big Book Idea
Thinking and feeling God's way.
Key Verse | Psalm 98:8-9
Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together
before the LORD, for he comes
to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
Psalm 98
Make a Joyful Noise to the LORD
A Psalm.
1
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.
2
The LORD has made known his salvation;
he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3
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.
4
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
5
Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
6
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
7
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it!
8
Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together
9
before the LORD, for he comes
to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
Table of Contents
Introduction to The Psalms
Timeline
Author and Date
Individual psalms come from diverse periods of Israel’s history, but at every stage they served as the songbook of God’s people. David wrote about half of the Psalms. His role as king was more than that of a ruler. He was to represent and even embody the people, and their well-being was tied to his faithfulness. David, then, writes as a representative, and the readers must discern whether the emphasis of a psalm is more on his role as ruler or more on his role as ideal Israelite, in which he is an example for all. The historical occasions mentioned in the psalm titles help the reader see how faith applies to real-life situations.
Key Themes
The Psalter is fundamentally the hymnbook of God’s people. It takes the basic themes of OT theology and turns them into song:
- Monotheism. The one God, Maker and Ruler of all, will vindicate his goodness and justice in his own time. Everyone must know and love this God, whose purity, power, wisdom, faithfulness, and unceasing love are breathtakingly beautiful.
- Creation and fall. Though God made man with dignity and purpose, all people since the fall are beset with sins and weaknesses that only God’s grace can heal.
- Election and covenant. The one true God chose a people for himself and bound himself to them by his covenant. This covenant expressed God’s intention to save his people, and through them to bring light to the world.
- Covenant membership. In his covenant, God offers grace to his people: forgiveness of their sins, the shaping of their lives to reflect his own glory, and a part to play as light to the Gentiles. Each member of God’s people is responsible to believe God’s promises and to grow in obeying his commands. Those who do this enjoy the full benefits of God’s love and find delight in knowing him. The well-being of God’s people as a whole affects the well-being of each member. Each one shares the joys and sorrows of the others. When believers suffer, they should not seek revenge but should pray. They can be confident that God will make all things right in his own time.
- Eschatology. The story of God’s people is headed toward a glorious future, in which all kinds of people will come to know the Lord. The personal faithfulness of God’s people contributes to his ultimate purpose. The Messiah, the ultimate heir of David, will lead his people in the great task of bringing light to the Gentiles.
Types of Psalms
The Psalms can be identified according to some basic categories:
Laments, which lay a troubled situation before the Lord, asking him for help. There are community (Psalm 12) and individual (Psalm 13) laments. This category is the largest by far, including up to a third of all Psalms.
Hymns of praise, which call God’s people to admire his great attributes and deeds. Examples include Psalms 8; 93; and 145.
Hymns of thanksgiving. As with laments, there are community (Psalm 9) and individual (Psalm 30) thanksgiving psalms.
Hymns celebrating God’s law (Psalm 119).
Wisdom psalms (Psalms 1; 37), which reflect themes from the Wisdom Books (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon).
Songs of confidence, which enable worshipers to deepen their trust in God amid difficult circumstances (Psalm 23).
Royal psalms, which present the Davidic monarchy as the vehicle of blessing for God’s people. Some of these are prayers (Psalm 20), some are thanksgivings (Psalm 21). All relate to the Messiah, the ultimate heir of David, either by setting a pattern (Psalms 20–21) or by portraying the king’s reign in such a way that only the Messiah can completely fulfill it (Psalms 2; 72), or by focusing on the future (Psalm 110).
Historical psalms, which take lessons from the history of God’s dealings with his people (Psalm 78).
Prophetic hymns, which echo the Prophets, calling people to covenant faithfulness (Psalm 81).
Structure
The standard Hebrew text divides the Psalms into five “books,” perhaps in imitation of the five books of the Pentateuch.
| Book 1 | Psalms 1–41 | Psalms 1–2 provide an introduction to the Psalms as a whole. Except for Psalms 10 and 33, the remaining psalms of Book 1 are psalms of David. Most of them are prayers of distress. Others are statements of confidence in the God who alone can save (e.g., 9; 11; 16; 18), striking the note that concludes the book (40–41). Reflections on ethics and worship are found in Psalms 1; 14–15; 19; 24; and 26. |
| Book 2 | Psalms 42–72 | Book 2 introduces the first group of psalms by the “sons of Korah” (42; 44–49; 50). There are also more psalms of David (51–65; 68–69), including most of the “historical” psalms (51–52; 54; 56–57; 59–60; 63). Once again, lament and distress dominate these prayers, which now also include a communal voice (e.g., 44; compare 67; 68). The lone psalm attributed to Solomon concludes Book 2 with a look at God’s ideal for Israel’s kings—ultimately pointing to Christ as the final great King of God’s people. |
| Book 3 | Psalms 73–89 | The tone darkens further in Book 3. The opening Psalm 73 starkly questions the justice of God before seeing light in God’s presence. That light has almost escaped the psalmist in Psalm 88, the bleakest of all psalms. Book 2 ended with the high point of royal aspirations; Book 3 concludes in Psalm 89 with these expectations badly threatened. Sharp rays of hope occasionally pierce the darkness (e.g., 75; 85; 87). The brief third book contains most of the psalms of Asaph (73–83), as well as another set of Korah psalms (84–85; 87–88). |
| Book 4 | Psalms 90–106 | Psalm 90 opens the fourth book of the psalms. It may be seen as the first response to the problems raised by Book 3. Psalm 90, attributed to Moses, reminds the worshiper that God was active on Israel’s behalf long before David. This theme is taken up in Psalms 103–106, which summarize God’s dealings with his people before any kings reigned. In between there is a group of psalms (93–100) characterized by the refrain “The LORD reigns.” This truth refutes the doubts of Psalm 89. |
| Book 5 | Psalms 107–150 | The structure of Book 5 reflects the closing petition of Book 4 in 106:47. It declares that God does answer prayer (107) and concludes with five Hallelujah psalms (146–150). In between there are several psalms affirming the validity of the promises to David (110; 132; 144), two collections of Davidic psalms (108–110; 138–145); the longest psalm, celebrating the value of God’s law (119); and 15 psalms of ascent for use by pilgrims to Jerusalem (120–134). |
Fact: What was the main purpose of the Psalms for the people of God?
What was the main purpose of the Psalms for the people of God? The Psalms were the songbook of the people of God when they gathered for worship.
Fact: What is a psalm of lament?
What is a psalm of lament? The main purpose of a psalm of lament is to tell the Lord about a difficult situation, to ask him for his help, and to praise him for helping. Some laments are community, congregational psalms. Others are individual, personal laments. One third of all the Psalms are psalms of lament.
Fact: What defined someone as an “enemy” of the people of Israel?
What defined someone as an “enemy” of the people of Israel? The “enemies” mentioned in the Psalms (e.g., 18:17) were people hostile to the faith of God’s people. Sometimes they expressed their hatred by physically attacking the people of Israel, while other times they merely rejoiced when Israel faced misfortunes.
Fact: Selah
What does Selah mean? Although the word Selah is found 39 times in the book of Psalms, its exact meaning is uncertain. Most scholars believe it is a musical term or a term to be used by a worship leader, possibly to mark a pause.
Fact: Snares
Snares (38:12) were traps used to catch birds and animals. Some snares used ropes or nets that would be triggered as soon as the bait was touched. Pits disguised with sticks and leaves were also used as snares. In the Psalms, snares serve as symbols of danger or death at the hands of the wicked.
Fact: A helpful guide
A helpful guide. The writers of the Psalms understood the importance of constant communication with God. They knew that God would hear their prayers, and they trusted him to act on their behalf. Believers today can benefit greatly by patterning their prayers after specific psalms.
Fact: Joy to the world!
Joy to the world! Psalm 98:4–9 inspired Isaac Watts to write his famous Christmas hymn, “Joy to the World,” in 1719. The song celebrates not only the birth of Christ but how creation itself rejoices at the return of her King, who “comes to judge the earth . . . with righteousness” (98:9).
Fact: Wonders
Wonders can also be translated “marvels.” The word is often used to describe God’s works of rescuing his people and protecting and caring for them (9:1; 78:11; 98:1; Ex. 3:20; 34:10). In Ps. 136:4, it describes creation, showing that God’s work as Creator should fill us with awe and wonder.
Structure of Psalms
The standard Hebrew text divides the Psalms into five “books,” perhaps in imitation of the five books of the Pentateuch.
| Book 1 | Psalms 1–41 | Psalms 1–2 provide an introduction to the Psalms as a whole. Except for Psalms 10 and 33, the remaining psalms of Book 1 are psalms of David. Most of them are prayers of distress. Others are statements of confidence in the God who alone can save (e.g., 9; 11; 16; 18), striking the note that concludes the book (40–41). Reflections on ethics and worship are found in Psalms 1; 14–15; 19; 24; and 26. |
| Book 2 | Psalms 42–72 | Book 2 introduces the first group of psalms by the “sons of Korah” (42; 44–49; 50). There are also more psalms of David (51–65; 68–69), including most of the “historical” psalms (51–52; 54; 56–57; 59–60; 63). Once again, lament and distress dominate these prayers, which now also include a communal voice (e.g., 44; compare 67; 68). The lone psalm attributed to Solomon concludes Book 2 with a look at God’s ideal for Israel’s kings—ultimately pointing to Christ as the final great King of God’s people. |
| Book 3 | Psalms 73–89 | The tone darkens further in Book 3. The opening Psalm 73 starkly questions the justice of God before seeing light in God’s presence. That light has almost escaped the psalmist in Psalm 88, the bleakest of all psalms. Book 2 ended with the high point of royal aspirations; Book 3 concludes in Psalm 89 with these expectations badly threatened. Sharp rays of hope occasionally pierce the darkness (e.g., 75; 85; 87). The brief third book contains most of the psalms of Asaph (73–83), as well as another set of Korah psalms (84–85; 87–88). |
| Book 4 | Psalms 90–106 | Psalm 90 opens the fourth book of the psalms. It may be seen as the first response to the problems raised by Book 3. Psalm 90, attributed to Moses, reminds the worshiper that God was active on Israel’s behalf long before David. This theme is taken up in Psalms 103–106, which summarize God’s dealings with his people before any kings reigned. In between there is a group of psalms (93–100) characterized by the refrain “The LORD reigns.” This truth refutes the doubts of Psalm 89. |
| Book 5 | Psalms 107–150 | The structure of Book 5 reflects the closing petition of Book 4 in 106:47. It declares that God does answer prayer (107) and concludes with five Hallelujah psalms (146–150). In between there are several psalms affirming the validity of the promises to David (110; 132; 144), two collections of Davidic psalms (108–110; 138–145); the longest psalm, celebrating the value of God’s law (119); and 15 psalms of ascent for use by pilgrims to Jerusalem (120–134). |
OT Testimony that All Are under Sin (3:9)
| Romans 3 | OT Reference |
|---|---|
| Sinful Condition | |
| v. 10, none is righteous | Ps. 14:3/53:3; Eccles. 7:20 |
| v. 11a, no one understands | Ps. 14:2/53:2 |
| v. 11b, no one seeks for God | Ps. 14:2/53:2 |
| v. 12, all have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one | Ps. 14:3/53:3 |
| Sinful Speech (note progression from throat to tongue to lips) | |
| v. 13a, b, their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive | Ps. 5:10, Septuagint (English, 5:9) |
| v. 13c, the venom of asps is under their lips | Ps. 140:3 |
| v. 14, their mouth is full of curses and bitterness | Ps. 10:7 |
| Sinful Action | |
| v. 15, their feet are swift to shed blood | Prov. 1:16/Isa. 59:7 |
| v. 16, in their paths are ruin and misery | Isa. 59:7 |
| v. 17, and the way of peace they have not known | Isa. 59:8 |
| Summary Statement | |
| v. 18, there is no fear of God before their eyes | Ps. 36:1 |
Fact: Wonders
Wonders can also be translated “marvels.” The word is often used to describe God’s works of rescuing his people and protecting and caring for them (9:1; 78:11; 98:1; Ex. 3:20; 34:10). In Ps. 136:4, it describes creation, showing that God’s work as Creator should fill us with awe and wonder.
Ps. 98:1–3 The term salvation appears in each of these verses. It describes God’s great deeds for the sake of his people as a whole. He provides protection from their enemies and creates the conditions in which faithfulness can flourish. God has done these great deeds to the house of Israel, but the benefit is not limited to them: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Ps. 98:4–6 These verses address all the earth, that is, all people, wherever they live. What God has done for Israel (vv. 1–3) is for the sake of bringing the light to the whole world.
Psalm Ps. 98. This hymn celebrates God’s universal kingship (v. 6) by referring to the “marvelous things” and “salvation” that the Gentiles have seen God accomplish on behalf of his people. God has worked salvation (rescue from evil) for Israel, which all the ends of the earth have seen (vv. 1–3). All people in the earth should join Israel’s celebration, because God is their rightful king, too (vv. 4–6). The material creation should join all mankind in jubilant praise of the one true God, as they look forward to his rule (vv. 7–9).
Ps. 98:7–9 The invitation is extended to the human inhabitants of the world (the world and those who dwell in it) to include even the sea and all that fills it, the rivers, and the hills. The entire creation, human and otherwise, can rejoice at the prospect of God’s just rule (to judge here is to administer justice through a just rule).
Fact: Joy to the world!
Joy to the world! Psalm 98:4–9 inspired Isaac Watts to write his famous Christmas hymn, “Joy to the World,” in 1719. The song celebrates not only the birth of Christ but how creation itself rejoices at the return of her King, who “comes to judge the earth . . . with righteousness” (98:9).
Listen to the Podcast
Listen NowDive Deeper | Psalm 98
Joy: Past, Present & Future!
God is faithful, and He tells us this through the faith journey of Israel (Past). He never forgets and always keeps His promises. Israel (not a perfect people, but a sinful people) discovered that the demands of being His "chosen" people came with holy standards. The reality was that "The King of Kings" (Jesus) was/is the answer and Israel's/our only hope for salvation and eternal life. Israel's history of exile, destruction, deportation, slavery, and sin were seasoned with God's mercy, grace, and His living word being proclaimed through His chosen prophets.
Like Israel, we each also have a long history of sinful rebellion, and our faithful God seasons our faith journey with shelter from the storms of life. Psalm 98 is the joy found in proclaiming the faithful goodness of our God. A new song to our God is a heart story sung with voices and instruments. Can you sing your new song?
Here is my attempt:
Let us sing out loud, Jesus is our Lord,
In Him we find our true shelter,
when the storms of life rage on.
One "Holy night," our salvation was born.
Jesus, Emanuel, came to bring us His new life.
Our lives strive on, and we know the goodness of God,
It allows us to sing "Joy to the World”* with "Peace on earth."
Soon, our King is coming to judge all mankind,
In righteousness He reveals His faithful love to us.
So, let all “Heaven and nature sing,”*
For our only hope and salvation is in Jesus Christ alone,
*“Repeat the Sounding Joy!"
A new song can only be sung from a new heart. And this new heart can only be given to us from our faithful creator. God promises this. He is faithful. He has done marvelous things, even in the midst of a fallen and sinful world.
God is good, and life is difficult. Our faith journey is to proclaim (with loud singing) His INFINITE GOODNESS for all the world to hear!
**But God . . . is in the process of bringing this joyful good news to all!
This month's memory verse
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
– Galatians 5:25
Discussion Questions
1. Can you share a time in your life when life was so difficult that you felt alone and distant from God?
2. Are there seasons in your life when you have found it hard to express the goodness of God? If so, can you share this with someone close to you?
3. What is joy for you and would you share that with others? Did you know that "Joy to the World" by Isaac Watts (an English Christmas carol) was written in 1719, to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ?
4. Are you looking forward to worshiping and praising God together with all of the heavenly host (Revelation 5:9)?
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