Psalms 98:9
“Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.”
Context:Psalm 98 is a joyful psalm that celebrates God’s salvation and victory. It calls for praise and worship to the Lord for His marvelous works and righteous judgments. The psalmist encourages all creation to join in the joyful song of praise to God, including the seas, rivers, mountains, and all living creatures.
“Before the LORD”: The phrase “Before the LORD” emphasizes the presence of God. It signifies that the Lord is present and actively involved in the affairs of the world. It implies that the psalmist is calling all creation to recognize and acknowledge the presence of God as they prepare to celebrate His coming.
“For he cometh to judge the earth”: This verse speaks of the coming of the Lord to judge the earth. It points to the future time when God will intervene in the world’s affairs and bring judgment upon all people. The concept of judgment here refers to God’s righteous evaluation of human actions and His dispensation of justice.
“With righteousness shall he judge the world”: The psalmist declares that God will judge the world with righteousness. This means that God’s judgment is based on His perfect justice and moral standards. Unlike human judgments that can be flawed or biased, God’s judgment is impartial and fair. He will judge every person and every nation according to His righteous standards.
“And the people with equity”: The psalmist further emphasizes that God will judge the people with equity. Equity refers to fairness and impartiality. God’s judgment is not influenced by favouritism, prejudice, or external appearances. He will judge each person based on their deeds, motives, and the condition of their hearts.
Application:Psalm 98:9 reminds us of the future day when God will come to judge the earth. It calls us to prepare ourselves for that day by living in righteousness and equity. It encourages us to trust in God’s perfect justice, knowing that He will ultimately set all things right. It also serves as a reminder that our actions and decisions have eternal consequences and should align with God’s righteous standards.
