Psalms Book 4 (Psalms 90-106)Sample

The Lord, The Saviour, King and Judge

As the eighth psalm in the collection of seventeen psalms that make up the fourth book of Psalms, Psalm 98 stands at the very center and apex of the whole chiastic sequence, Psalms 90-106. It also has a central place in the ‘inner sequence’ of seven psalms, Psalms 95-101, which form a progression of worship and are structured to teach us how to approach God (95-97) and then respond to God (99-101).

90: Man’s pitiful sinful existence in the face of the eternal God

91: The Lord protects those who dwell in Him

92: The righteous life will be vindicated, but the wicked will perish

93: The sovereign Lord reigns

94: A call to the God who avenges

95: Calling God’s people to worship

96: Calling the Nations to worship

97: Celebrate: The righteous judge is coming

98: God comes: Saviour, King & Judge

99: 1st response – Holy awe and wonder

100: 2nd response – Outrageous Praise

101: 3rd response – I will live righteously

102: The penitent sinner

103: The eternal Lord is merciful and gracious

104: The Lord: creator and sustainer

105: The Lord faithfully keeps his covenant promise to Abraham

106: The desperate sinfulness and failing of the Lord’s people

However, Psalm 98 not only has a central place, but it also teaches and summarises the three central themes of Book 4.

Who is this God who comes to us?

He is the Lord the Saviour who comes to save us from our sins and fallenness (90:7-12, 95:8-11, and to deliver us from the wicked (94 & 102).

He is the Lord our king, v4-6, who is welcomed with a royal fanfare of trumpets; (90:1-2, Psalms 91, 93, 96:7-10, 99:4-5, 100:1, 102:12-15, 103:19).

He is the Lord who comes to Judge, (to intervene, correct and put into order), with righteousness and equity v7-9, (94:1-2, Psalm 97, 99:4-5, 101:1, 102:19-20, 103:6, 105:5, 106:40-46).

Each of these three themes is mentioned in the four gospels, but it is not surprising that the Gospel of Matthew (with its strong Jewish character and focus on Jesus’ coming as Messiah) brings these out most clearly. Matthew 1:21 states that Joseph is to name Mary’s baby; ‘Jesus’ (meaning ‘the Lord saves’), ‘because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew’s genealogy stresses that Jesus is not only Jewish, but he is the Messiah, the anointed servant-king of the Jews. And later, Matthew narrates Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and resurrection in a way that demonstrates that the coming Judge of all humanity also embodies humanity on the cross in a final act of judgement. As the sign over the dying Messiah stated: ‘This is Jesus. The king of the Jews’.