Psalm 98 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 98 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.
Verse 2The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
Verse 3He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Verse 4Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
Verse 5Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody.
Verse 6With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.
Verse 7Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it.
Verse 8Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy
Verse 9at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
Devotion
No matter any given day's events, Psalm 98 reminds us God is God. God is in power. For this, we sing praise! This inclusive psalm calls each person, every living thing, "all the earth," and the entire cosmos to praise our creator with a "new song." It is a new praise song befitting God’s new marvelous acts that meet each new day's new needs. God is innovative! God's love is steadfast. For this we joyfully sing praises!
The psalmist concludes by reminding us we praise a righteous, equitable God. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., paraphrasing Rev. Theodore Parker (1853), said, "Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." As we strive for healing and reconciliation, let us work together to tug powerfully on that arc. Let us bend it ever closer to the justice and righteousness of our Lord.
Prayer
Omnipotent God, praise to you for this day, your new marvelous acts and your steadfast love! Forgive our anxieties and unjust ways. Show us how to come together as we share the righteousness and equity that you give. Help us live each day with joyful hope and inclusive love. Amen.