Psalm 98:9 NKJV
For He is coming to judge the earth: The strong and deep praise described in this psalm is not only for the marvelous things God has done (Psalm 98:1). It is also for the work He is about to do – with righteousness He shall judge the world. His righteous rule and reign will be a welcome relief for all creation that has suffered under the sin and rebellion of mankind. (Guzik)
i. “It makes the point which Romans 8:19ff. expounds: that nature will not come into its own until man himself, its proper master, is ruled in righteousness and equity.” (Kidner)
ii. “I think of the way C. S. Lewis developed this idea in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In the first section of that book, when Narnia was under the power of the wicked Witch of the North, the land was in a state of perpetual winter. Spring never came. But when Aslan rose from the dead the ice began to melt, flowers bloomed, and the trees turned green. It is poetical writing, but it describes something that will happen. The rivers will indeed clap their hands. The mountains will indeed sing. And we will all join in.” (Boice)
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“Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth.” Stiller music such as made the stars twinkle with their soft kind eyes suited his first coming at Bethlehem, but his second advent calls for trumpets, for he is a judge; and for all earth’s acclamations, for he has put on his royal splendor. The rule of Christ is the joy of nature. All things bless his throne, yea, and the very coming of it. As the dawn sets the earth weeping for joy at the rising of the sun, till the dewdrops stand in her eyes, so should the approach of Jesus’ universal reign make all creation glad.
“With righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.” This is the joy of it. No tyrant and no weakling is he, to oppress the good or to indulge the vain, his law is good, his action right, his government the embodiment of justice. If ever there was a thing to rejoice in upon this poor, travailing earth, it is the coming of such a deliverer, the ascension to the universal throne of such a governor. All hail, Jesus! all hail! Our soul faints with delight at the sound of things approaching chariots, and can only cry, “Come quickly. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!” (Spurgeon)
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Before the Lord, for he cometh to judge the earth … – This verse is essentially the same as Psalms 96:13. See the notes at that verse. The psalm calls for universal praise. The very “reading” of the psalm – so joyous – so jubilant – so animated – so exulting – is suited to awaken the mind to praise; to rouse it to thankfulness; to fill it with joy. One cannot read the psalm without being a happier man; without being lifted above the world; without lofty views of God; without a feeling that he is worthy of this universal praise; without recognizing that we are in a world where the mind should be joyful; that we are under the dominion of a God whose reign should fill the mind with gladness. (Barnes)
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with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity; both at his first and second coming, and during the intermediate time; see the note as before. The only difference is, that in Psalm 96:13, it is said that he shall judge the people “with his truth,” here “with equity,” or “uprightnesses” {f}; in the most upright manner, according to the strictest rules of justice and judgment; see Isaiah 11:3. (Gill)
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With righteousness shall he judge the world — His word shall not be confined; all shall know him, from the least to the greatest: he shall show that he is loving to every man, and hateth nothing that he hath made. See the notes on Psalms 96:10-13. There is a very great similarity between this Psalm and the Song or Magnificat of the Blessed Virgin (See Luke 1:46-55). I shall note some of the parallels, chiefly from Bishop Nicholson.
This Psalm is an evident prophecy of Christ’s coming to save the world; and what is here foretold by David is, in the Blessed Virgin’s song, chanted forth as being accomplished. David is the Voice, and Mary is the Echo.
1. DAVID. “O sing unto the Lord a new song.” (The Voice.)
MARY. “My soul doth magnify the Lord.” (The Echo.)
2. DAVID. “He hath done marvelous things.” (The Voice.)
MARY. “He that is mighty hath done great things.” (The Echo.)
3. DAVID. “With his own right hand and holy arm hath he gotten himself the victory.” (The Voice.)
MARY. “He hath showed strength with his arm and scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.” (The Echo.)
4. DAVID. “The Lord hath made known his salvation; his righteousness hath he openly showed,” c. (The Voice.)
MARY. “His mercy is on them that fear him, from generation to generation.” (The Echo.)
5. DAVID. “He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel.” (The Voice.)
MARY. “He hath holpen his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy.” (The Echo.)
These parallels are very striking and it seems as if Mary had this Psalm in her eye when she composed her song of triumph. And this is a further argument that the whole Psalm, whether it record the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, or the Jews from the Babylonish captivity, is yet to be ultimately understood of the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ, and the proclamation of his Gospel through all the nations of the earth: and taken in this view, no language can be too strong, nor poetic imagery too high, to point out the unsearchable riches of Christ. (Clarke)
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Geneva Bible 1560
Psalms 98:9
9 Before the Lord: for he is come to judge the earth: with righteousness shal he judge the world, and the people with equity.
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