Psalm 98:8 (ESV)

8 Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together

The streams of water also join in. It is as if they also clap their hands. Hearing and seeing become difficult. Also, the mountains let themselves be heard in a roar. They shout loud praise (compare Psalm 89:12, Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name).

What moves creation to all this action? Why is she in such turmoil? What is happening here?

It seems that all creation feels that some great things are about to happen, that there will be deliverance from all misery, deliverance that all of creation has passionately anticipated.

We also discover that same longing in the words of Romans 8:19: For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. Her groaning as in the pains of childbirth (Romans 8:22) will be over at some point. Deliverance is on the horizon! And creation feels it.

Great things are about to take place, and everything will change for the better. And that gives reason for jubilation. Thus it is with creation. Will the people then also join in the clapping of hands, driven by their joy?