Way back in week 14, we visited Psalm 98 and saw how the whole world still belongs to the King, even though the nations are still contested. Today, I want to come back to the Psalm’s very first line and just meditate on it a while: “Sing a new song to the Lord, for He has performed wonders; His right hand and holy arm have won Him victory.” I love how before the passage asks anything of us, it tells us something has already taken place. God has moved, and the ultimate outcome is settled.

This victory belongs to His right hand and His holy arm, not Israel’s might and power or some superior diplomacy with the nations. The language of God’s arm points us back to Exodus, when He brought His people out of Egypt with a strong hand and outstretched arm. Here, the Psalmist is saying, “God has done it again, and this time, all the ends of the earth have noticed.”

Looking around us, and even behind us, it’s easy to assume history is either slowly falling apart or slowly getting better as we grow wiser and more technologically advanced. But Psalm 98 is clear that the restoration of creation isn’t by human advancement or progress, nor is it doomed to endless decline. It’s restored because God Himself has stepped in and won. This renewal we all long for rests on His victory, not our effort.

Thankfully, we have the privilege of reading this Psalm back through the lens of the cross and the empty tomb. Isaiah promised the arm of the Lord would be revealed, John applied those words to Jesus in John 12 and in Revelation 5, heaven sings a new song to the Lamb who was slain and who purchased people from every tribe, language, and nation with His own blood. The decisive battle against sin and death was fought at Calvary and victory realized on Easter morning. That’s why we sing a new song; because there’s never been a victory like this one before.

But it’s not just our song. The whole earth is called to shout for joy and bring all their skills of praise and instrumentation to bear before the Lord. Even the sea, the rivers, and the mountains join in the musical tribute to our King. Creation itself is called to the celebration because it, too, is being set free.

So, today, we live as people standing on the far side of this decisive victory, even while we wait for its final completion. The old songs of grief and exile are the last ones we’ll sing and it won’t be the last music this world hears.

Which way do you tend to lean regarding the world: that it’s slowly falling apart or slowly fixing itself? How can the presence of Jesus’ victory help you understand and see the brokenness around you today?

Father, I know your right hand and holy arm have won a victory I could never win. Thank you for Jesus, who triumphed over sin and death on the cross, then walked out of the grave in victory. Forgive me when I look at the world as if its future depends on human progress or human failure. Give me eyes to see reality in the light of Your victory, and put a new song in my mouth today. Amen.

“Seeing the world through God’s victory changes the way I look at __________________.”