In our lives, victory takes flight,
Not by our strength, but God's might.
New reasons to praise, we should find,
Not dwelling on past victories, left behind.
God's love and faithfulness, ever unchanging,
His care for His people, never rearranging.
His salvation and righteousness, so grand,
Extend universally, to every land.
From east to west, from pole to pole,
All the earth has seen His salvation roll.
Marvelous deeds, from God above,
Call us to praise, with hearts full of love.
Rely on Him for victory, recognize His salvation,
Trust in His faithfulness, without hesitation.
Respond with joyful praise, let it resound,
For in our God, true joy is found.
REFLECTION:
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds. His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (Psalm 98:1)
Victory in our lives comes from God and not from our own strength or effort. We should continually find new reasons to praise God and not to dwell on past victories alone. God’s faithfulness and love towards His people is unchanging.
The universal nature of God’s salvation and righteousness extends to all nations. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Let us continually praise God for His marvelous deeds, rely on Him for victory, recognize His righteousness and salvation, trust in His faithfulness, and respond with joyful praise.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We acknowledge that victory in our lives comes from You, not from our own strength or effort. Help us to continually find new reasons to praise You, and not to dwell on past victories alone.
We thank You for Your unchanging faithfulness and love towards us, your people. We recognize the universal nature of Your salvation and righteousness, which extends to all nations. All the ends of the earth have seen Your salvation, a testament to Your marvelous deeds. Help us to continually praise You for these deeds, to rely on You for victory, and to recognize Your righteousness and salvation.
We trust in Your faithfulness, and respond with joyful praise. May our lives reflect Your glory, and may our hearts be filled with Your love.
In Jesus' name, we pray,
Amen.
Pericope:
Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106
THE COMING OF GOD
Psalm 98:1-9
Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4
R: The Lord has made known his salvation.
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds. His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 2 The Lord has made his salvation known; in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R)
Background:
Psalm 98 is a song of praise for God’s salvation, justice, and faithfulness. Here’s a brief overview:
Author and Date: While the author is not explicitly mentioned, it is traditionally attributed to David. The exact date of its composition is unknown.
Purpose: Psalm 98 is a prophecy of the kingdom of the Messiah, the establishment of it in the world, and the inclusion of the Gentiles in it. It is a song of praise for God’s marvelous deeds, His victory, and His righteousness.
Themes: The psalm emphasizes the glory of the Redeemer and the joy of the redeemed. It speaks of praise to God for His work of salvation in widening circles – first Israel, then all the earth, and finally all creation.
Now, focusing on the specific verses Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, these verses discuss the marvelous things God has done, His victory, and His righteousness. The psalmist calls for a new song to be sung to the Lord, for He has done marvelous things. His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. The Lord has made known His salvation and openly shown His righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His loving kindness and His faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
These verses underscore the continuity of God’s plan of salvation, linking the Old Testament prophecies with the New Testament believers. It also emphasizes the call to praise in light of the grace received through God’s marvelous deeds.
Learning Lessons:
Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4 offers several important lessons for believers:
Praise for God’s Marvelous Deeds: The psalmist calls for a new song to be sung to the Lord for His marvelous deeds. This teaches us to continually find new reasons to praise God and not to dwell on past victories alone.
God’s Victory: The psalmist acknowledges that God’s right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. This reminds us that victory in our lives comes from God and not from our own strength or effort.
God’s Righteousness and Salvation: The Lord has made known His salvation and openly shown His righteousness in the sight of the nations. This underscores the universal nature of God’s salvation and righteousness, extending beyond Israel to all nations.
God’s Faithfulness: God has remembered His loving kindness and His faithfulness toward the house of Israel. This assures us of God’s unchanging faithfulness and love towards His people.
Call to Joyful Praise: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. This calls for a joyful response from all people in light of God’s salvation.
These lessons encourage us to continually praise God for His marvelous deeds, rely on Him for victory, recognize His righteousness and salvation, trust in His faithfulness, and respond with joyful praise. (Conversation with Copilot)
