Psalm 98:1-3 "O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. (2) The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. (3) He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God."
Who is under consideration when the Psalmist wrote, "his right hand, and
his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory." I'm not certain that the
writer completely understood the depth of this great truth. He may have been
speaking of the various victories in life that he had experienced. Maybe he was
thinking of Moses bringing the people of Israel out of Egypt or David's victory
over Goliath. He may have been thinking about a particular time in his own life
when he was able to overcome a struggle and experienced victory. But you and I
have been blessed to see more deeply into the truth that these words contain. Let
me use the words of the Apostle Paul to show us the absolute truth of this
victory. In writing about the resurrection, Paul was inspired to write,
"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal
shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is
written, Death is swallowed up in victory." (1 Corinthians 15:54) He then
does not leave it to our imagination as to how this victory is attained in our
lives. "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57) This great deliverance (victory,
salvation) has been made "... openly shewed in the sight of the
heathen." There can be no doubt that Jesus by His death, burial, and
resurrection has given victory unto us.
When Jesus was brought before the high counsel and accused of wrongdoing,
"Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the
synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret
have I said nothing." (John 18:20) "For the grace of God that
bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men..." (Titus 2:11)
Let's see what was said concerning Jesus as He hung on the cross.
As His accusers passed by, they were heard to say, "He trusted in God; let
him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of
God." (Matthew 27:43) After Jesus bowed His head and gave up the ghost, we
hear the centurion openly declaring: "Now when the centurion, and they
that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that
were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God."
(Matthew 27:54) It is because of this great truth concerning our Lord and
Saviour, that we can now "... sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath
done marvellous things."
1 Low in the grave He lay— Jesus my Savior!
Waiting the coming day— Jesus my Lord!
2 Vainly they watch His bed— Jesus, my Savior!
Vainly they seal the dead— Jesus my Lord!
3 Death cannot keep his prey— Jesus, my Savior!
He tore the bars away— Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a Victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever with His saints to
reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!