Joy to the World!
Brethren, God has called His people to sing praises to Him in worship. We must strive to never let our praise become routine, for we have much to celebrate. Issac Watts felt that way when he read this psalm and wrote the hymn “Joy to the World.” The psalmist is calling upon God’s people and all the world to celebrate the Lord.
The first part of the psalm instructs God’s people to sing to Him a song of praise (98:1-3). This is a song that is new because the people of God have fresh reasons to praise God each and every day. This new song is a celebration of the salvation which God has done for His people. God has revealed His righteousness to the world by His salvation (98:2). People are declared righteous only by God’s grace through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. There must be an propitiation for sins; and Jesus satisfied God’s holy wrath against sin in our stead. The Lord will act on behalf of Israel when He returns to take up His Davidic throne (98:3).
The second part of the psalm is a call for all the peoples of the earth to praise the Lord with great enthusiasm (98:4-6). Obedience to this call demonstrates that they have received God’s revelation of the King and have responded in faith (98:6)
The third part of the psalm figuratively pictures the restored creation celebrating the King’s arrival (98:7-9). The seas roar, the rivers clap, the mountains sing all in great joy because the curse of Genesis 3 is no more (Rom 8:19). The psalm ends with a reminder to all believers that the King’s return is imminent (98:9). He will return to punish the wicked and vindicate the righteous (98:9).