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
Listen to the feast of imperative verbs in this psalm. Sing! Shout with joy! Rejoice and sing! Lift your voice! Sing with joy! Why all the singing and shouting and rejoicing? Just because of who God is: victorious over the enemy, steadfastly loving and faithful, a righteous and fair judge who reigns to remember and communicate with the likes of us rebellious human beings! Since God's character is unchanging, we can sing and shout and praise God any time, even when we do not understand what God is up to. It reminds me of a church sign I once saw: Praise the Lord—anyway!
Prayer
The world gives so many reasons to lament, Lord. Sometimes I don't feel like there is anything to sing and shout about. I am glad for these words of the psalmist that remind me you are worthy of joyful praise—any time. Amen.