Psa 98:7-9 | KingComments | STEP | Because the Creator-King reigns, the sea and the world of the nations are called to join the chorus of the joyful shouting crowd ( ). “The sea … and all it contains” is the sea of the nations. It is synonymous with the second half of the verse “the world and those who dwell in it” (cf. ). The sea of nations, once whipped up and troubled, producing mire and mud ( ), is now going to clap its hands before the LORD, Who has come. There will be an outburst of joy. “The sea” is to “roar and all it contains”. The sea, which has always been mighty and indomitable, joins with all that it contains with its roaring voice to the chorus shouting for joy before the King. The foothills of the sea, the rivers, which traverse the world, and the mountains, which rise above the world, are called to express themselves in a loud and joyful tone ( ; cf. ). The expressions of joy fill the creation that has been freed from the sighing caused by sin ( ). Creation breathes a sigh of relief; it comes to rest and to the purpose for which God created it: to honor Him. Why should the whole world rejoice and be merry “before the LORD” ( )? Because He is coming to judge the world in righteousness. That means that all evil will be righteously removed by Him and then He will rule righteously ( ). This is what the believer and with him the whole creation craves.

‏ Psalms 98:7-9

Sing for Joy Before the Judge

Because the Creator-King reigns, the sea and the world of the nations are called to join the chorus of the joyful shouting crowd (Psa 98:7). “The sea … and all it contains” is the sea of the nations. It is synonymous with the second half of the verse “the world and those who dwell in it” (cf. Psa 96:11b). The sea of nations, once whipped up and troubled, producing mire and mud (Isa 57:20), is now going to clap its hands before the LORD, Who has come. There will be an outburst of joy. “The sea” is to “roar and all it contains”. The sea, which has always been mighty and indomitable, joins with all that it contains with its roaring voice to the chorus shouting for joy before the King.

The foothills of the sea, the rivers, which traverse the world, and the mountains, which rise above the world, are called to express themselves in a loud and joyful tone (Psa 98:8; cf. Isa 55:12). The expressions of joy fill the creation that has been freed from the sighing caused by sin (Rom 8:19-22). Creation breathes a sigh of relief; it comes to rest and to the purpose for which God created it: to honor Him.

Why should the whole world rejoice and be merry “before the LORD” (Psa 98:9)? Because He is coming to judge the world in righteousness. That means that all evil will be righteously removed by Him and then He will rule righteously (Isa 11:3-5). This is what the believer and with him the whole creation craves.