Psalm 98
1 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.
2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
3 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.
4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
Outline
Time to Learn another Hymn!
Psalm 98
by Pastor Clinton Macomber
God is praised by the Psalter and Harp music, Psalm 98:5
God is praised by all and trumpet music, Psalm 98:4, 6
God is praised for faithfulness by coming again, Psalm 98:3, 9
God is praised for salvation in mountain sounds, Psalm 98:2, 8
God is praised for victory in thunder roars, Psalm 98:1, 7
Photo
Sermon
Time to Learn another Hymn!
Psalm 98
By Pastor Clinton Macomber
It is easy to fall into the trap of becoming stunted in our spiritual walk and life. We don’t exercise ourselves to expand our spiritual learning and the result is that we become stale and do not progress in spiritual understanding. The results cost us eternally our reward, because in order to be able to enjoy the rank in God’s Kingdom He has open for us, we have to continue growing the full time we have given to us. Wasted time means a loss of reward eternally.
One of the best ways to keep our minds meditating on Scripture is to learn to love God enough to obey Him and follow Him in His Word. Much of His word is a song book, that even comes with the music! But even learning an old sacred hymn is a good place to start in the quest to become more spiritually inclined and less attached to the things of this earth.
This psalm is arranged with a central core truth, and the verses are couplets that surround this central verse. This can be illustrated as follows:
A. God brings victories which require praise, Psalm 98:1
B. God demonstrates His salvation everywhere, Psalm 98:2
C. God remains faithful as promised, Psalm 98:3
D. God will be praised by all, Psalm 98:4
E. God is praised with Psalter, Psalm 98:5
e. God is to be praised with the harp, Psalm 98:5
d. God is to be praised with trumpets, Psalm 98:6
c. God is to be praised with sea roars and all in world, Psalm 98:7
b. God is to be praised with the sounds of the rivers and hills, Psalm 98:8
a. God is to be praised for He comes to judge the earth, Psalm 98:9
The first set of verses explain why we should praise God. This is outline letters A to E, or Psalm 98:1-5. The second set of verses tell how to praise God appropriately for each reason. This is outline letters e to a, or Psalm 98:5-9.
This is how the psalm will be covered in the following outline.
God is praised for victory in thunderous roars
Psalm 98:1 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.
Psalm 98:7 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
So when is it a good time to learn a new song? It is when the Lord does marvelous things. Learn a song you don’t know that expresses what God did. The work has already been done in writing the songs, all we have to do is look up something appropriate to memorialize God’s action.
How do we recognize an act of God?
- It is something that demonstrates His favor and so comes from His right hand. Those the host desires to honor are placed on the right hand of the host.
- It is something that comes from God’s holy arm. Is what happened the only thing that could happen and be a holy, pure, sacred, unadulterated, uncompromising, Biblical thing? Then it came from God’s holy arm.
- Is it something that gives God the victory? Our lives are not about ourselves, getting us rich, granting us honor, instilling glory in us, etc. It is about God gaining victory in a world dominated by sin and corruption.
How should we then sing? We are to involve others and even use the natural sounds to enhance the praise. Use the noises of Creation as a background or pattern to guide the music. The greatest sacred symphonic sounds were designed to duplicate this very thing, because of these instructions.
Much of the music David wrote was designed while hiding along rivers and lakes and other places of refuge. To pass the time and to remember the amazing events where God provided for them, he would play the great psalms on his harp, using the sounds he heard in the wilderness areas to help inspire a sacred sound.
The seas make a loud noise that is directed by the phases of the moon. The activity of the water as it roars and splashes on the shore line is fantastic, therapeutic and relaxing. Knowing God made the seas to provide life for mankind enables us to enjoy them also to praise God for them. The next step is to learn to praise God with the sounds of the waves and roar of the sea!
God is praised for salvation in mountain sounds
Psalm 98:2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
Psalm 98:8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
God does not work miracles of salvation secretly, but openly. God prepares our table in the presence of our enemies. What He does serves as a witness to the heathen that they too need to be saved, and to change from being aliens of His grace to being partakers. This is a reason to praise God before the unsaved. Today, we are to be baptized publicly to testify of the change made in our hearts to all that come. This should also be a time of singing and praise.
Examples of God’s hand of power are found in the following verses among many examples:
Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
2 Chronicles 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
The words translated “flood clap with their hands” are special terms in Hebrew that are difficult to translate into English counterparts. The word for “flood” is any kind of current of water, whether in a sea, a river, or an underground stream. It is water that is heading in some direction. The word for “clap” is used of an object that slaps or strikes another object. The word for “hand” is a flat part of an object its hollow or bent part. It is used of feet, hands, trees, water, etc. So the message is that the river waters should create praise by rolling and splashing and striking the rocks, banks, and itself to produce a melodious sound of praise.
This wonderful sound produced by rivers is what draws people to their banks. Parks are places along rivers so the visitors will want to come and while there they can enjoy the sounds of the water flow. Fishermen are drawn to the relaxing sounds of the water, and love to sit along the banks and listen while waiting for a fish to bite.
One of the pleasures of spending time at a river’s edge is the ability to change the sounds of the river by altering its path. By adding rocks, removing them, and damming up areas, the sounds can be changed and used as a musical accompaniment.
God is praised for faithfulness by coming again
Psalm 98:3 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.
Psalm 98:9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
If nations want to see the work of God on behalf of a nation, all they have to do is look at Israel. From the beginning God has done marvelous things for them. God’s power is seen from their rescue from the Egyptians, to their repeated deliverance in the book of Judges, to their preservation in the books of the Kings, to their deliverance from captivity and the enabling them to rebuild their city and temple. They have survived the attempts of the empires of the world that sought to obliterate them as a nation and people of the earth. The only explanation that can be given is God is preserving them. They are always outmanned, outgunned, and out financed by the nations and powers that seek to annihilate them. The fact they are a nation today is an absolute miracle. They amazingly survive every obstacle and circumstance thrown at them.
Every corner of the globe has seen the miracle of Israel, and God’s mercy toward them. Although despised and hated the world over, God loves His people and defends them everywhere.
This work of God is a down payment of proof that God will come back and judge the nations for their actions, and the citizens are going to be judged fairly, but they will face justice at the hand of God, instead of the hand of people that are easily swayed and at a perverted justice system that is often bound by its own laws and corruption, so that it cannot dispense true justice.
Our music should be such that it will be ready to welcome God as King and Judge of the Earth, when the Lord Jesus comes and establishes His Kingdom on the earth. It will be a glorious time and we will provide the music and celebration. Are we ready?
God is praised by all and trumpet music
Psalm 98:4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
Psalm 98:6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
There needs to be a means by which to make sure the sound of praise is joyful and does not turn into a dirge. The way to do it is to be loud.
There was a little Baptist church in Pomona, years ago, that sat in the shadow of the largest church at the time. While the large church was huge and could make a lot of racket, the singing was almost non-existent from the seats. It was embarrassing to sing very loud because hardly anyone was singing very much, although the speakers blared the song leader’s voice out. But there was a huge contrast to the little Baptist church. There they had an old lady that picked out the notes and would regularly get several wrong or miss them altogether. She could hardly see, and arthritis made playing tough, but was doing her best for the Lord. The sanctuary was fairly small and very old, but clean and very plain and simple. Yet, when the hymns were sung, you could have raised the roof with such volume. When they sang, they sang loudly and from the heart. It did not matter if you did not know the words well, or even the tune, because you were impelled by the singing and surroundings to join in with whatever you could do. The singing alone made the church a joy to attend, although the preaching was fine too. This is the way our praise should be. People should not be embarrassed to join in with us in praise to God, because it comes from the heart and is the best we have to offer God. Our joy in God and His provisions for us is so great we cannot spare anything in giving what we have. Of course, we will learn to sing better as we continue working at it, but we have to put our heart and soul in the singing for it to be glorious.
The other aid we are told to use is the trumpet. It is interesting that we know David was a harpist, but the fact he was involved with flocks of animals means he would have known the use of the horn as well. The term here is the metal trumpet that is used officially and for more formal occasions than the normal horn trumpet, but the fact David was a skilled musician means he probably was an excellent trumpeter as well.
The long metal trumpet was used to call assemblies and get people’s attention. It is a very delicate instrument, so was not carried around in common ordinary duties of life. However, as a fine instrument, it produces a loud clear controllable sound to accompany sacred music or to just play as a solo instrument. Our military has made a form of this trumpet, the bugle a part of military signals and for the announcements of various daily duties and habits. It can be heard over the general roar of life and can produce a variety of tunes that let every soldier know it is time to eat, march, sleep, fire, charge, retreat, and so forth. Many a bugle was smashed in battle, but it was so important it would either be hammered back into barely usable condition or immediately replaced.
Ancient Egyptian Trumpets[1]
The second term called a cornet was actually an instrument made from sheep horns. The difference in sound is a trumpet is generally a long pipe with a bell at the end to enlarge the sound made in the tube. A horn takes the sound and gradually stretches and amplifies it along its length so the sound produced tends to be more round and full. The horns of sheep are fairly easy to make and the opportunities abound where people subsist on meat from the flocks. As a result, it was a common instrument used to signal and call to each other. In fact, the nation of Israel had a system of horn signalers posted at the top of the hills that make their way through the country and could thus trumpet the signal to pray, or for the Sabbath to begin with in a few minutes over quite a few miles. This same system enabled other messages to be sent by signal in the dark as well as light. This instrument can be very small and compact and so easily carried on one’s waist, or it can be very long and so used for more formal occasions or for more signals that require a louder and more precise sound.
Today the use of the organ has replaced the use of the harp and trumpets in church worship, but this requires a skillful organist and a huge budget to obtain and maintain a quality organ. The organist can be replaced by returning to the actual instruments, if the musicians are willing to acquire the skill necessary to use them.
God is praised by the Psalter and Harp music
Psalm 98:5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
This verse is the inside hidden kernel that forms the theme and point of the song. “Sing” is to either to make an instrument of music “sing” by playing it, or to sing with an instrumental accompaniment. The words are placed in order of importance. Sing to God accompanied with a harp!
The harp is a kinor harp. This is a somewhat common harp and is used in all sorts of ways. Its origin was from the line of Cain, and so it may have been first designed to make heathen sounds, to accompany soulish and degenerated music. Harlots use it to attract customers, it is used in banquets that induce drinking, and all kinds of sordid uses. It is an instrument that is used in times of mourning or in times of joy. It is extremely versatile. However it is also the instrument of choice for sacred use. Like just about anything in this world, it can either be used for God, or used for the devil. To use it for God, requires a great deal of training and skill that takes years to gain. Then to keep the skill requires continual use and practice.
Worldly use uses it just to make racket. Godly use requires diligence and exact usage to produce melodious sounds. To make this instrument for sacred use requires extra care and skillful craftsmanship. Not only is there a sound board that is a part of a quality harp that is tuned to help resonate the sounds of the strings, but there has to be a massively strong framework on which to stretch as many strings as possible, all precisely spaced and adjustable for tuning. The forces that produce the sound can be very destructive unless everything is built to work harmoniously in the instrument and to withstand the constant vibration that use and transportation cause.
However, once made, it becomes a very beautiful instrument that is transportable and can accompany the skilled harpist wherever he or she goes. David serves as a fine example. He was able to carry the harp while tending the sheep and goats, and probably even had it strapped to his back when defending the flocks from the wild animals. His instrument, although well travelled and exposed to many elements was in fine enough shape to be allowed in the King’s presence to be used to play before the king when he was grumpy. Of course, such an instrument would require great care and protective coatings, but it evidenced the great care that David took of such a valuable instrument.
The Israelites were commanded in the 10 Commandments not to make any images of anything. As a result, we do not have drawings or images of the sacred harps, nor have their harps survived the captivities. But as proof they existed we can turn to the heathen nations of the area and find plenty of drawings of their versions of the harp and what their musicians looked like. Fortunately we know they are heathen so copying them would be heathenistic.
Found at Nineveh during Assurbanipal’s reign, 640 B.C.
(Assuming my French translation is suitable)[2]
[1] John Kitto, Palestine (Redding, CA: Pleasant Places Press, Galaxie Software, 2004; 2004). p. 286.
[2] La Nouvelle Bible Segond, Édition D'étude; Bible. Français. Nouvelle Bible Segond. (Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2002; 2003). Ps 34:23.
Topic Study
Equity in Scripture
By Pastor Clinton Macomber
David offered an immense sacrifice to God from the ‘uprightness’ of his heart. This was an appropriate, fitting, and easy decision to make.
1 Chronicles 29:17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.
The Lord (Yahveh) will serve justice with ‘uprightness.’ Meaning justice will be appropriate, smooth, fitting, and fair.
Psalm 9:8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
Psalm 98:9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
The purpose of the book of Proverbs is for the enablement of the receiving of equity. Thus it enables a person to learn to act appropriately and for things to work smoothly in their life.
Proverbs 1:3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
Learning from the Lord (Jahveh) enables us to understand what is right, just and equitable. Thus we see how smoothly and fairly His Work is in this world.
Proverbs 2:9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
Wisdom begs for young people to listen because she says what is ‘right.’ It is that thing that is fitting, appropriate and smooth.
Proverbs 8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
Alcohol moves about in the cup ‘aright.’ Thus it is smooth.
Proverbs 23:31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
The choices of the just are ‘upright.’
Isaiah 26:7 The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.
A covenant between governments is seen as an ‘agreement.’
Daniel 11:6 And in the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king’s daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: but she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm: but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begat her, and he that strengthened her in these times.
Quote
Psalm 98:1
by Frederick Brotherton Meyer, Our Daily Homily
(Redding, CA: Pleasant Places Press, 2004). Vol. 3 page 98
Oh, sing unto the Lord a new song!
Come, my soul, thou must awake to sing a new song. Thou hast dwelt long enough on those old, sad, minor chords of loss and disappointment, of regret for the withered past, of bitter remorse. Surely there is something better, nobler, worthier of thee and thy great Lord. Has He not done, is He not doing, marvellous new things in thy daily experience? Are not his mercies new every morning, and his faithfulness every night? Is not his love always at work spreading thy table for new meals, making thy bed for new slumber, contriving new alleviations and delights? Look out for these till meditation induces thanksgiving.
There is always a new song in heaven, because ever a fresh and deepening appreciation of God. The exploring parties are continually bringing back some fresh and wonderful produce of God’s wisdom and grace; and as they hold it up to the admiration of kindred spirits, the exhibition elicits new songs.
Through the Church is made known to the principalities and powers of the heavenlies the manifold wisdom of God. The song of redeeming grace can never grow old, even though the same words recur; they resemble the banks of the stream through which waters are passing that never passed before. My soul, listen to the bursting harmonies of creation, seas, floods, hills; they chide thee. Cast off the spirit of heaviness, and don the garment of praise.
Perchance thy soul is sluggish and dull. But it should not master thee. The psalmist was master of his soul; and when he bade it bless the Lord, all that was within him broke forth into melodious thanksgiving. Let thy spirit, energized by the Holy Spirit, be regnant over the entire realm of thy inner life.
Devotions
Every Day with Jesus
Monday, Psalm 98:1-2 and 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
In praising the Lord, we need to learn to trust Him in helping others. By doing so, we can truly sing in praises to God as we see those in despair lifting their eyes in praise to God as well. In order to give, however, we must plan to give. Every day we must lay aside what we can so that we can give to others and enable their needs to be met through our generosity, as we serve God with the little we have.
Tuesday, Psalm 98:3 and 1 Corinthians 16:5-8
Just as God remembers us, and we learn to praise Him for that, so we must remember others so that God will be glorified through us. In doing so, it requires careful planning to enable the gifts to arrive safely to their destination. God saves to the ends of the earth, and our gifts should spread accordingly.
Wednesday, Psalm 98:4-5 and 1 Corinthians 16:9-12
In order for worship to be glorious, it takes a company of people to play the instruments and to lift voices in harmony. In the same way, in order for gifts to be helpful, it requires the work of several hands and the careful travel and scheduling of several people to accomplish each mission of mercy and help. By working with others of like faith and mind we can accomplish more than if we work alone. How can we expand our ministry by involving others?
Thursday, Psalm 98:6 and 1 Corinthians 16:13-16
The trumpet is an instrument that calls attention and calls to order, yet God loves to hear it in worship. Paul pointed out the kind of faithful people that should be assisted in their ministry, and the kind of people that put forth the call to duty and ministry. They are the ones to follow and they are the ones to labor beside and under.
Friday, Psalm 98:7-8 and 1 Corinthians 16:17-20
In the work of God there are faithful stewards that can be found and that are refreshing to the laborer. These are the kinds of people to support and encourage and welcome. In this way there can be a resounding sound of praise from all ends of the earth. A quiet network of people who are faithful to God in each geographic location in which they live.
Saturday, Psalm 98:9 and 1 Corinthians 16:21-24
God is going to judge the earth. Working with others is not to be done in compromise of holiness or truth. Instead it is to be done with those that love the Lord and learn to live from the Word of God. Others must be cursed and avoided, lest we align ourselves with those that are the enemies of Christ and so find ourselves in the wrong camp. Holiness is manifest through doing what is right in the eyes of God and His Word.
Puzzle
| O | P | Y | O | I | E | E | F | K | G | J | C | S |
| T | P | W | H | Q | E | U | R | O | H | H | U | D |
| W | I | E | U | A | L | A | T | Y | U | O | C | N |
| P | H | I | N | N | R | T | W | D | L | P | T | E |
| S | T | H | E | L | E | P | N | L | Y | N | R | J |
| Y | I | S | E | N | Y | U | E | M | O | L | U | M |
| V | S | N | S | Y | O | V | U | I | U | D | M | V |
| M | R | R | G | S | R | T | T | F | G | S | P | I |
| A | W | A | J | A | E | A | Y | E | L | E | E | C |
| K | K | O | M | N | V | O | V | O | S | Q | T | T |
| E | V | R | R | L | J | S | U | I | R | V | S | O |
| F | J | O | A | L | L | D | O | H | A | T | H | R |
| M | C | S | D | E | D | N | P | A | L | C | J | Y |
| CLAP | JOYFUL | SALVATION |
| CORNET | JUDGE | SEEN |
| ENDS | LOUD | SING |
| EQUITY | MAKE | SOUND |
| FULNESS | MARVELLOUS | TRUMPETS |
| GOTTEN | NOISE | VICTORY |
| HARP | OPENLY | WORLD |
| HATH | ROAR |
The Puzzle solution is found here....
