Psalms 98-102

Psalm 98
Praise the Judge of the World

1-3 Sing a new song to the LORD for his victories, his vindication of his people of Israel to the whole earth.
4-6 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, with all kinds of instruments.
7-9 Let the sea, the world, the floods, the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the LORD, the righteous and equitable judge.

Psalm 99
Praise to God for His Holiness

1-5 Let the peoples tremble before the LORD, who is king, great in Zion, exalted over all, mighty, lover of justice, holy.
6-7 Moses, Aaron, and Samuel called on His name, and he answered them; they obeyed his decrees and statutes.
8-9 LORD, you answered them, you forgave them while avenging their wrongdoings. Extol our God, for He is holy.

Psalm 100
All Lands Summoned to Praise God

1-2 All earth -- make a joyful noise; worship with gladness; sing in His presence.
3 The LORD made us -- we are his people, his sheep
4-5 Come to him with thanksgiving and praise, for He is good, loving, and faithful

Psalm 100 would be good to memorize -- made easier by hymns that use its words. Repeating this throughout the day would be a good antidote when we feel like the world is just too much with us.

Psalm 101
A Sovereign's Pledge of Integrity and Justice

1-4 I will pursue loyalty, justice, and integrity, shunning that which is base, the work of those who fall away, perverseness of heart.
5-6 I will not tolerate slander, a haughty look, an arrogant heart, but will favor the faithful, those who walk in the way that is blameless.
7-8 I will ban those who practice deceit, destroying the wicked, cutting off all evildoers.

Psalm 102
Prayer to the Eternal King for Help.
"A prayer of the afflicted, when faint and pleading before the LORD."

1-2 Hear my prayer, O LORD, answer me speedily.
3-11 I am in dire straits: wasted away, lonely, taunted by my enemies, suffering from your indignation, anger, and rejection.
4-17 But you are enthroned, timeless, and it is time for you to show your compassion on your city, Zion, to regard the prayer of the destitute. Then the nations will fear your name.
18-22 Let future generations know that the LORD looked down from heaven and freed his people from death.
23-24 O God, do not take me away at the midpoint of my life.
25-28 Your creation will perish, but you endure. Your servants' children shall live secure; their offspring shall be established.

The commentaries I scanned about this (Gill; Jamiesson, Fausett, Brown; Matthew Henry; C. H. Spurgeon) relate this Psalm to Babylonian captivity, and also as a prophecy of the Messiah and the church. It seems to have three levels of meaning: 1) A recognition that in history God will let his people suffer until the time he deems right to relieve that suffering, at which point no power on earth can stop him; 2) A promise that God's temporary physical kingdom Israel will be realized in a spiritual kingdom to come ("the children of your servants shall live secure"); and 3) On a more personal level, that sometimes we need to be brought to the depths of physical, mental, and emotional suffering before we can appreciate our own weakness and come to depend completely on the One who is here, was here, and will be here forever.

As evidence that this has prophetic meaning and fulfillment in Christ, read Hebrews 1:10-12, which speaks of Christ, quoted from verses 25-27 in this Psalm: 10 And, "In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; 12 like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end."