Psalms 98:9

Commentary on Psalms 98:9 (KJV)

Psalms 98:9 culminates a powerful song of praise and anticipation, declaring the ultimate reason for the earth's joyous acclamation: the Lord's coming to judge. This verse paints a vivid picture of divine justice and sovereignty, central to understanding God's character and His future plans for humanity.

Context

Psalm 98 is one of several "new song" psalms (e.g., Psalm 96:1), characterized by an urgent call to praise the Lord for His marvelous works, particularly His salvation and His coming reign. The preceding verses in Psalm 98 depict creation itself—the sea, rivers, and hills—rejoicing in anticipation of the Lord's arrival. Verse 9 provides the profound theological basis for this universal jubilation: God is coming not merely to reign, but to judge, ensuring that righteousness and equity prevail. This eschatological vision offers hope and assurance for the righteous.

Key Themes

• Divine Judgment: The verse clearly states, "he cometh to judge the earth." This highlights God's role as the ultimate, sovereign Judge of all creation. His judgment is not a fearful arbitrary act for the righteous but the establishment of perfect order and justice.
• Righteousness and Equity: The twin pillars of God's judgment are "righteousness" and "equity." This emphasizes that His judgments are not only just but also perfectly fair and impartial, treating all people with absolute uprightness. This provides immense comfort to those who have suffered injustice.
• Universal Scope: Phrases like "the earth," "the world," and "the people" underscore the comprehensive nature of God's coming judgment. No corner of creation or any individual will be beyond His purview, ensuring a complete and final resolution to all unrighteousness.
• Hope and Vindication: For the psalmist and the faithful, the anticipation of God's judgment is a source of hope. It means that all wrongs will be righted, and true justice will finally be established, leading to the vindication of His people.

Linguistic Insights

• The Hebrew word for "judge" (שָׁפַט - shaphat) is rich in meaning. While it certainly includes the idea of condemnation, it primarily signifies governing, ruling, setting things right, and administering justice. It implies the restoration of order and the vindication of the oppressed.
• "Righteousness" (צֶדֶק - tzedeq) refers to moral rectitude, justice, and conformity to God's perfect standard.
• "Equity" (מֵישָׁרִים - meisharim) means straightness, uprightness, fairness, and impartiality. It assures us that God's judgment will be free from bias or error.

Related Scriptures

The concept of God as the ultimate Judge is foundational throughout Scripture. This echoes the question posed in Genesis 18:25, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" The prophetic books frequently speak of a future time when God will judge the nations with righteousness, as seen in Isaiah 11:4 regarding the Messiah. The New Testament affirms that this judgment will be carried out by Jesus Christ, who has been appointed to judge the living and the dead (John 5:22; Acts 17:31). This ultimate establishment of justice leads to the promise of a new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 98:9 offers profound comfort and a call to reflection. In a world often marked by injustice and inequity, this verse reminds us that God is ultimately in control and will ensure perfect justice. It encourages us to live righteously, knowing that our lives are lived "before the LORD," who will judge all with perfect righteousness and equity. This anticipation of Christ's return to judge and rule should inspire both hope and a commitment to living according to His standards, while also motivating us to share the good news of His coming kingdom.