Psalms 98: Rivers clap before the King who judges fairly

Psalm 98 begins with a victory already accomplished and ends with judgment still coming. God’s own right hand and holy arm win the victory, and salvation is made publicly visible before the nations. Mercy and truth toward Israel therefore become something the ends of the earth can see. The answer is a steadily expanding sound: voices, harp, psalm, trumpets, and cornet welcome “the LORD, the King.” Then even that ensemble proves too small. The sea roars, rivers clap, and hills rejoice together. The reason for this creation-wide celebration is the coming judgment of the earth. Righteousness and equity make judgment welcome rather than arbitrary. Past salvation and future rule are not identical, but they belong in the same song. What God has already made visible gives the world reason to greet the just King who is coming.