Psalms 99

Chapter Overview

What happens in Psalms 99

A psalm declaring God reigns as the holy King from Zion. Three times it declares 'He is holy.' God answered Moses, Aaron, and Samuel when they called on him.

Scripture

The Lord Reigns — He Is Holy

Study note

The Lord reigns from between the cherubim. Let the nations tremble and the earth shake. The Lord is great in Zion. Let them praise his great and awesome name — he is holy.

1 The Lord is King! Let every nation tremble. He sits on his throne above the cherubim. Let the earth quake. The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.

2 The Lord towers over Zion with greatness. He is high above every people on earth. The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.

3 Let them celebrate your great and awesome name. He is set apart and holy. Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.

A God of Justice and Forgiveness

Study note

The King loves justice and has established fairness. He has carried out justice and righteousness. Worship at his footstool — he is holy.

4 The mighty King has a deep love for justice. You have built everything on fairness. You have carried out what is right and among Jacob's people. The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.

5 Lift the Lord our God up high! Come and bow at the place where his feet rest. He is holy. Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

God Answered His Servants

Study note

Moses, Aaron, and Samuel called on the Lord and he answered them. He spoke from the pillar of cloud. He was a forgiving God to them but also held them accountable. Worship the Lord on his holy mountain — he is holy.

6 Moses and Aaron served among his priests, and Samuel was one of those who called on his name. They cried out to the Lord, and he answered them. Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.

7 He spoke to them from a pillar made of cloud. They obeyed the rules and the commands he gave them. He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.

8 Lord our God, you gave them answers. You were a God who forgave them, but you also held them accountable when they went wrong. Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.

9 Lift the Lord our God up high! Worship at his sacred mountain, because the Lord our God is completely holy. Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.

Key Themes

Themes in Psalms 99

God reigns as the holy KingThree declarations of holinessGod answered Moses, aaron, and SamuelA God who forgives yet disciplines

Apply This Today

Living Psalms 99

Three times this psalm declares, 'He is holy.' And yet this holy God answered the prayers of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. His holiness does not make him distant — it makes his nearness astonishing. The God who is set apart from all others invites you to approach Him. Come with reverence, but come with confidence.

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