Psalms 98:9

We are here called upon again to sing unto the Lord a new song, as before, Ps. xcvi. "Sing a most excellent song, the best song you have." Let the song of Christ's love be like Solomon's on that subject, a song of songs. A song of praise for redeeming love is a new song, such a song as had not been sung before; for this is a mystery which was hidden from ages and generations.

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 splendour. The rule of Christ is the joy of nature. All things bless his throne, yea, and the very coming of it.

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 splendour. 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 thins approaching chariots, and can only cry, "Come quickly. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!" Keble's version of the last four verses is so truly beautiful that we cannot deny our readers the luxury of perusing it:

For he cometh to judge the earth - He comes to make known his salvation, and show his merciful designs to all the children of men. 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 Psa 96:1-13 (note). There is a very great similarity between this Psalm and the Song or Magnificat of the Blessed Virgin. 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 marvellous 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,” etc. (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. […]

Before the Lord, for he cometh to judge the earth ... - This verse is essentially the same as Psa 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.