Psalm 98 - The Lord has made known his victory

Jump to end of psalm
1) O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.
His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.
2) The Lord has made known his victory;
he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
3) He 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.

4) Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
5) Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody.
6) With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

7) Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it.
8) Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy
9) at 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.
 Psalm 98 (NRSV*)
Christmas Day (see also A new song)
The Great Vigil of Easter
6th Sunday of Easter, Year B
Proper 27, Sunday between November 6 and November 12, Year C
Proper 28, Sunday between November 13 and November 19, Year C

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice! This psalm sings, positively shouts, God's mighty victory. The Lord has revealed it!

We don't know when or where or how the victory occurred. It certainly happened in God's good time, and in a manner consistent with God's divine good will. And it is a complete turnaround. The news is out, and all the world can see!

The psalm does not even declare what the victory is. Rest assured, this kind of victory is much more than a high-stakes poker hand, a lottery win, a Super Bowl or World Cup. Make no mistake, it speaks of tremendous power. "Right hand" and "arm" in Hebrew are often terms associated with strength. Still more, the forces of the earth itself exult. Seas roar, floods and hills, all the earth sing praises.

Even the larger events of society - corporate successes, electoral wins, triumph in battle - seem pale shadows of this great victory.

Pray with the psalm for the truly great events from God's perspective. Deliverance from captivity. A people made holy. Salvation from death. Steadfast, faithful love, through everything. It might be cosmic, and it might be as personal as the return of a single soul to the path of life.

So break out the harps and the trumpets! Make a joyful noise before the Lord, the victor, the King. Put on your best, sing a new song, for the Lord has done a marvelous new thing.

Credits:
Author unknown, Hand, man, wing. Public domain (CC BY 1.0).
* New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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