Psalm 98:1-9
“Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the LORD, the King. Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity!”
The Psalms are generally read as the effusions of a devout mind, while their reference to Christ is almost entirely overlooked. This, which is now under our consideration, like the 96th Psalm with which it accords, confessedly relates to Christ; the very language of verse 3, is used by Mary, Zachariah, and Simeon, in the divine hymns whereby they celebrated his advent in the flesh, Luke 1:54-55; Luke 1:72; Luke 2:30-32. It contains,
I. Some grounds and matter for our joy.
In the three first verses the Psalmist describes our joy in figurative expressions. In the last verse he expressly specifies, the proper ground of our joy.
The incarnation of Christ seems to be the subject here referred to.
Christ is “the Lord” Jehovah, “the King” of kings, and Lord of lords, who “has come to judge the earth,” and to exercise dominion, not, like the judges of Israel, over one nation only, but over all the nations of the world.
Nor under his government will any partiality be shown either to Jews or Gentiles; on the contrary, it is administered “with perfect righteousness and equity.”
His laws are equally binding on the rich and poor.
His invitations are equally extended to the most abandoned sinner, and the most decent moralist.
His benefits are equally conferred on all, according to their attainments in holiness.
His judgments will be inflicted with equal severity on the proudest monarch and the lowest beggar.
With him is no respect of persons; and whatever difference he may put between one man and another in this life—he will manifest at last, that though clouds and darkness were round about him, righteousness and judgment are the basis of his throne!
This is indeed a ground for the most exalted joy:
1. The incarnation of Christ is the most “marvelous” occurrence that ever the world beheld.
That God should be manifested in human flesh, in order to redeem his enemies from destruction, and to purchase to himself a people with his own blood! great indeed is this mystery of godliness; it has heights and depths that can never be explored.
2. The incarnation of Christ is the only means of “victory” over death and Hell.
Satan, the god of this world, the prince of the power of the air, had usurped dominion over the whole race of man, which he would have retained forever—if God himself had not interposed to rescue us from our sore bondage. But how should even God himself effect this great deliverance? No way was found, but for God himself to take our nature, and become our substitute. What joy then should not the execution of this plan excite in our hearts!
3. The incarnation of Christ opens salvation to a ruined world.
By this was “made known” the way of “righteousness and salvation” through a vicarious sacrifice; nor was it any longer set forth in types, but “openly,” in plain explicit declarations; and that, not to the house of Israel only, but “in the sight of the heathen.” How should we benighted Gentiles rejoice in this!
4. The incarnation of Christ is the richest display of God’s mercy and truth.
It was in this incomprehensible mystery that “mercy and truth” met together, and righteousness and peace kissed each other. When the incarnation of Christ was first promised to the world, it was a most stupendous act of mercy; after that, the accomplishment of it was an exhibition of truth and faithfulness. Yes, it was:
virtually the substance of all the types,
the completion of all the prophecies,
the consummation of all the promises.
Surely we must rejoice in it!
After stating such grounds for joy, we may add with confidence:
II. An exhortation to rejoice.
The animated exhortation of the Psalmist implies that,
1. We should desire a saving interest in this great event.
It is by no means sufficient to acknowledge Christ in a mere speculative manner; we should consider ourselves as the subjects of his kingdom, and seek to participate the blessedness of his people.
Let us then inquire, not merely whether we believe that Christ came into the world, but whether we have been filled with wonder at his “marvelous” condescension?
Let us ask ourselves whether “his right hand and his holy arm have gotten him the victory” over our rebellious hearts? Whether “he has made known” to us the sufficiency of “his righteousness,” and the excellency of “his salvation?” Whether “his mercy and truth” have been magnified in the forgiveness of our sins, and in our renovation after his divine image? All our pretenses to joy will be vile hypocrisy, if we have not experienced, in some measure at least, these triumphs of his love, these victories of his grace.
2. We should express our gratitude for it:
With frequency.
It is not at one particular season only that we should call these things to remembrance, but frequently, yes, continually; since we every moment reap the benefits of Christ’s administration. As the fire that burnt upon the altar was never allowed to go out, so neither should the flames of love and gratitude ever be extinguished in our hearts.
With fervor.
With what energy does the Psalmist repeat and diversify his exhortations to rejoice! Shall we then he contented to offer to our Lord a few cold and languid acknowledgments? No! We should make melody in our hearts unto him; we should even shout for joy. What if the world accuses us of enthusiasm? Shall we relax the tone of Christian joy for them; or bring down the injunctions of Heaven to the standard of their vain religion? Let the angels or glorified saints be blamed for carrying their exultations to excess—would they regard it, and compliment their accusers at the expense of duty? We plead not indeed for anything that is extravagant and foolish; but if we can obtain more of Heaven in our hearts, and manifest it more in our lives, let us not be afraid or ashamed to do it.
With unanimity.
The Psalmist calls, not only upon all the human race, but even upon the whole inanimate creation, to join in songs of praise and thanksgiving. And how lamentable is it that there should be found a creature upon earth, a rational and redeemed creature, that is indisposed for this exercise! O let us all be of one heart and mind; let us sing, rejoice, and give thanks; let our harps no longer be hung upon the willows, or struck in commendation of carnal joys; but let them be tuned in honor of our incarnate God; and let us celebrate upon them Messiah’s praise. Thus shall even now our joy be unspeakable and full of glory, a preparation for glory, and a foretaste of Heaven!
Charles Simeon