Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds (Psalm 98:1, NLT).
Some of us stay awake to watch the ball drop at midnight in Times Square. Usually, everyone counts . . .
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — Happy New Year!
Psalm 98 is a countdown psalm. A different sort of countdown, though.
This Psalm is a countdown to the second coming of Jesus. It’s a shorter countdown than Ryan Seacrest’s 10-to-1-to-Happy-New-Year! It’s 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — Look Up! Jesus is back.
Let’s count together . . .
5 ~ Victory!
His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power! (Psalm 98:1)
This verse describes Jesus’ victory over sin and death.
Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? (1 Corinthians 15:54-55)
4 ~ Righteousness!
The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation! (Psalm 98:2)
All nations will hear of God’s righteousness.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
3 ~ Israel restored!
He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God (Psalm 98:3).
In 1948, after being scattered for 2,000 years, Israel became a nation.
2 ~ Jews accept Jesus!
Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! (Psalm 98:4)
After the nation of Israel is restored, the Jews will proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:25-26).
1 ~ Jesus returns!
The Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness (Psalm 9:9).
Judgment will come before we enter heaven. Have faith . . .
For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:9, ESV).
Joy to the World, written by Isaac Watts, was inspired by Psalm 98. And though we sing this song on Christmas Eve, Isaac Watts actually — inspired by Psalm 98 — wrote his song about the second coming of Jesus.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing!
Let’s countdown . . .
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — Not Happy New Year, but Let Earth receive Her King!