Today, we’re in Psalm 98, another amazing psalm that allows us to praise our God. In fact, this psalm reminds us to make a joyful noise to our Lord!

Please join me in reading Psalm 98, the psalm from which Isaac Watts found the inspiration of his popular hymn — also known as a Christmas carol — Joy to the World:

98 Oh sing to the Lord a new song, 

for he has done marvelous things! 

His right hand and his holy arm 

have worked salvation for him. 

2 The Lord has made known his salvation; 

he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. 

3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness 

to the house of Israel. 

All the ends of the earth have seen 

the salvation of our God. 

4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; 

break forth into joyous song and sing praises! 

5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, 

with the lyre and the sound of melody! 

6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn 

make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord! 

7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 

the world and those who dwell in it! 

8 Let the rivers clap their hands; 

let the hills sing for joy together 

9 before the Lord, for he comes 

to judge the earth. 

He will judge the world with righteousness, 

and the peoples with equity. 

Ok, now it’s your turn! Take just 10 to 15 minutes and think of a time in your life when you have been extraordinarily grateful — maybe it’s a situation that has been resolved, or a circumstance that caused you fear that no longer exists. Maybe it’s for someone the Father brought into your life, maybe it’s for your salvation, or maybe it’s just because you are grateful that you have an everlasting, unconditionally loving God that is your Father. Whatever the reason, open your Bible or your Bible App to Psalm 98 and use it as a model to write your own joyful noise to the Lord. I would love to read it – just email it to [email protected]. 

I’m looking forward to it and grateful that you joined me for today’s Psalms for Shepherds podcast.