Psalm 98

This Psalm just overflows with jubilation! It voices the ‘new song’ of people who can see that the Lord is coming in righteousness! And they are thrilled to bits!

But that does that mean that God is coming in righteousness?

Well, in this instance it does not mean that he will come in the white hot rage of punishment and retribution where he will obliterate every force to ever stand against him. Yes, that Day will come – but that’s not why this Psalm is so jubilant.

When the Psalm rejoices that the Lord is coming on righteousness, it’s celebrating something else: the coming of the Lord into our world to do “marvellous things.” His “right hand” of power and his arm of holiness are bringing rescue and salvation (v.1).

The Lord has revealed his salvation – the nature of his rescue and its impact – by revealing his righteousness to the nations! So, all people who are not “Israel” will see how God, bringing rescue, puts their lives, their world, their everything, back together again! Amazing! Our God is a justice bringing, brokenness mending, life giving, sin defeating, shalom restoring God!

v.3 reminds us: this is not a new thing. It is the outworking of his covenant promises (eg. Gen 12). His “love and faithfulness” will go to the ends of the earth! This is his promise and his intention.

So it’s no wonder that all people, all nations, burst into rapturous praise (v.4-6)!

It’s no wonder that even the environment in its totality – all nature – rejoices! It’s the delightful opposite to the groaning of creation in Romans 8, because God – coming in righteousness – is addressing the brokenness brought by the fall. Our God is putting things right! He’s repairing what sin has broken! It’s glorious!!

All people and all creation joined in rejoicing in his goodness! All reality is in love with the righteousness and equity he is bringing. I mean, who wouldn’t be thrilled to see that?

But here’s the question you’re asking: How is God doing this? How is God bringing his righteousness today?

Here’s the surprising answer: God is doing it through Jesus, as Jesus rules in your life!

Jesus’ plan is for for God’s righteousness – which he has won for you in his cross and resurrection – Jesus’ plan is for that righteousness to overflow from your life into everything around you.

And what does that mean?

God’s righteousness – his ‘putting things right and mending the brokenness of our world’ starts as you put things right in your life. It comes through you bringing your behaviour and attitudes into line with the character and Kingdom of Jesus (see what the Bible says in Eph 4:17 – 5:2).

God’s righteousness comes to your world as you work, in the strength Jesus gives, to put broken things right around you. Your relationships. Your family. Your friends. The community where you live. Start putting right whatever is wrong. You: making things safe. Living in friendliness. Bringing grace and goodness. Creating a safe environment for women, for children, for those who are vulnerable and lonely.

God’s righteousness comes as you pray for and work to change desperate situations, and you long for grace in Gaza, as you work for an end to environmental degradation, as you act in kindness and respect to First Nations Peoples in your community.

God’s righteousness comes into our world as you work to bless and build your church, to see it thrive, to help it become a sanctuary of peace, a haven of love, against all the madness and anxiety that our culture and communities seem to carry.

God’s righteousness has been won by Jesus, and he’s bringing it to your world as you embody his character and goodness in your words, your attitudes and your behaviour!

How good is that?