In Psalm 98, as in Psalm 96, the earth is personified as singing God's praise. Once again the sea is roaring with praise, and now the hills are joining the song, and the rivers clap their hands to the music of the world. The psalm ends with the world being filled with the music of jubilant praise, but where does the joyful music begin? The music begins with the people of God, who have been redeemed by his love. They start the joyful song with their harps and horns, and strum and sing of their joy in the Lord and in his steadfast love.
Lord, there is none like you. None as constant, none as true. You loved us from the beginning, and will love us through all eternity. We thank you for the amazing gift of your forgiveness. Having all our debts paid, and all our guilt banished, and all the stains of our sins washed clean, makes us feel light, clean, pure, care-free, loved, and filled with joy. We feel brand new, born again, alive, energized, and happy. Yes, your love really has the power to do all this for us. Your love is so amazing, Lord. You are so amazing, Lord, and we will never stop singing your praise.
O Lord, speed the day of your return, when the song of the redeemed will fill all the earth, and the peace and joy you bring will be so tangible, it will be like the hills are singing and the rivers are clapping because joy will be everywhere, all the time, and our joy in you will never fade, and never ever end. In Jesus' name, amen.
