Psalm 98
Psalm 98 is seen by some as an echo of Psalm 96. It opens with the same words. It repeats the same basic theme – the Lord is to be praised!
Reasons
He is to be praised because his deeds are well done. He is not a God who does second-rate work. “He has done marvellousl things!” (1)
His actions have worked salvation. He has worked salvation first and foremost for himself (1). It might strike us as odd that his salvation is said to be “for him” but that is a common theme of scripture. His name has often been brought into disrepute by the failing of his people. Their sin has forced him to punish them, and this has led people to question his greatness. He saves not because his people deserve to be saved, but so that his name will not be dishonoured. This is a fundamental reason for his forgiving the people of Israel in the wilderness (Num 14:13-19). It is often, if not always, a fundamental reason why he saves.
He saves publicly, as it were. He makes his salvation known. He reveals it to the nations (2). As will be said much later about the gospel events, “These things were not done in a corner” (Acts 26:26).
The Lord is faithful to his promises. He remembers his steadfast love to Israel, and the nations have seen this (3).
Therefore
Therefore, all the earth is to praise him. They are to do so using every means at their disposal (including voice, stringed instruments, and horns, 4).
Israel was forbidden to use any unnatural means when constructing an altar of stone. They were to take the stones as they found them to construct and altar. They were not to use tools to reshape the stones used in altar building (Dt 27:5). The danger in building these public stone altars seems to have been that working them up too fancy might bring glory to the workman rather than to the God they were to honour, and who had provided the stones.
But in the context of tabernacle and temple worship, the best of human workmanship was encouraged and expected. Skilled workmanship was sought (Ex 28:15; 35:33-35). The use of human made instruments had been commanded for use in the temple (2 Chron 29:25). Therefore, the people would have been remiss in their duty if they had not done their best in these ways of praising God for his salvation.1 They are to make a joyful noise before their King, the Lord (6).
In fact, even the best efforts of the people to praise will not be enough. The sea, the rivers, and all they contain are to join in praising the Lord (7-9).
Judgement
The closing verses not only call for praise by the natural creation, they also introduce yet another reason the Lord is to be praised – his righteous judgement (9).
People are strange today. They say they want his salvation but reject the idea of judgement. The Bible knows of no salvation without judgement. It knows of no gospel without judgement (Rev 14:6). God could hardly deliver Israel from Egypt or from Babylon without pronouncing judgement on Egypt and Babylon.
The salvation taught in the New Testament begins with salvation from the guilt of sin, but it does not stop there. As the power of the gospel works its way through the believer, he is delivered not only from the guilt of sin but also from sin’s power over his heart and mind. Eventually the believer will even be delivered from the presence of sin. That too involves God’s judgement.
1 For more of the author’s thoughts on this subject, see “Music in Christian Worship” in the December 2004 Gospel Herald.