Psalm 98

Uhm, looking at this today, what draws my attention is the openness of the showing. Is God so visible? It could be a prophetic song about Jesus and his outstretched arm, God's salvation -- that's what the name "Jesus" means-- and literally all the world has seen Jesus victory over sin, sickness, and death.

Another thing, though: singing because God comes to judge the earth. Am not too pleased with that. True, I want all the wars to end and ll the =injustice and greed to end but wow, the Bible says judgment begins at the house of God. God's people are judged first. Judgment, whether in the mind, in the external world, etc. There is this moment when either our hearts or conscience or external situations judge us. Dang, that's scary! But I suppose there's a judgment in which we will be judged as "good" and receive the "well-done, good and faithful servant." How weird and interesting that will be! To stand before the Being that made you, to fully understand the purpose for which one was made, and to know that one has done well. As a writer, I think of the characters I create and how much I love them! I get an inkling of how much God loves me! Yes, the whole world, as well. But me, me personally, the one he made because he wanted a person like me in the world.

The psalm also shows that Nature will be happy! All of creation groans for the redemption of the sons of God. Even the animals are tired of dying, tired of killing, tired of being killed. The earth is tired of being raped and destroyed. All Creation awaits the greatness and the goodness and the peace of what it was originally meant to be. Wow, let me imagine that world.

Psalm 98

1O 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.
2The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
3He 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.
4Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
5Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
6With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.
7Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
8Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together
9Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.