Psa 98:5 | KingComments | STEP | What has been said about the LORD in the preceding verses about the redemption He has wrought for His people demands a response. That comes from the psalmist, who calls on “all the earth” to “shout joyfully to the LORD” ( ). It must be an outburst of joyful shouting and singing praises (cf. ). The singing of the praises must be accompanied by a stringed instrument, the lyre, and the singing must be loud ( ; cf. ). There are also two wind instruments: trumpets and the horn ( ). The trumpet is used to call the people together and bring them to God’s remembrance ( ). The sound of the horn announces the jubilee year, when everything is returned to its rightful owner, and the enthronement of the king ( ; ). Both events are fulfilled with the coming of the Messiah. All the additions underscore the revelry. The joy swells into a great concert. It could not be otherwise, for the great “King, the LORD” reigns. He has taken the reign upon Himself and brought the earth back under the rule of God. That means great prosperity and blessing for God’s people and the whole earth. Who then would not be immensely happy? For us, the Lord Jesus already has dominion over us now. God has already made Him Lord and Christ. He possesses His kingdom in heaven and in the heart of every person who has accepted Him as Lord and confesses it with his mouth ( ). Such a person is a subject in the kingdom of God which at this time consists of “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”, in which Christ is served ( ).

‏ Psalms 98:5

Shout Joyfully before the King

What has been said about the LORD in the preceding verses about the redemption He has wrought for His people demands a response. That comes from the psalmist, who calls on “all the earth” to “shout joyfully to the LORD” (Psa 98:4). It must be an outburst of joyful shouting and singing praises (cf. Isa 44:23 ; Isa 49:13 ; Isa 52:9 ; Isa 54:1 ; Isa 55:12).

The singing of the praises must be accompanied by a stringed instrument, the lyre, and the singing must be loud (Psa 98:5; cf. Isa 51:3). There are also two wind instruments: trumpets and the horn (Psa 98:6). The trumpet is used to call the people together and bring them to God’s remembrance (Num 10:2 ; 8-10). The sound of the horn announces the jubilee year, when everything is returned to its rightful owner, and the enthronement of the king (Lev 25:9; 1Kgs 1:39). Both events are fulfilled with the coming of the Messiah.

All the additions underscore the revelry. The joy swells into a great concert. It could not be otherwise, for the great “King, the LORD” reigns. He has taken the reign upon Himself and brought the earth back under the rule of God. That means great prosperity and blessing for God’s people and the whole earth. Who then would not be immensely happy?

For us, the Lord Jesus already has dominion over us now. God has already made Him Lord and Christ. He possesses His kingdom in heaven and in the heart of every person who has accepted Him as Lord and confesses it with his mouth (Rom 10:9-10). Such a person is a subject in the kingdom of God which at this time consists of “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”, in which Christ is served (Rom 14:17-18).