Psalms99
New International Version
1 The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake.
2 Great is the Lord in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name— he is holy.
4 The King is mighty, he loves justice— you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right.
5 Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the Lord and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.
8 Lord our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds.
9 Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.
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Psalms 99Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 99. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The happy government God's people are under. (1–5). Its happy administration. (6–9).
vv1-5
God governs the world by his providence, governs the church by his grace, and both by his Son. The inhabitants of the earth have cause to tremble, but the Redeemer still waits to be gracious. Let all who hear, take warning, and seek his mercy. The more we humble ourselves before God, the more we exalt him; and let us be thus reverent, for he is holy.
vv6-9
The happiness of Israel is made out by referring to the most useful governors of that people. They in every thing made God's word and law their rule, knowing that they could not else expect that their prayers should be answered. They all wonderfully prevailed with God in prayer; miracles were wrought at their request. They pleaded for the people, and obtained answers of peace. Our Prophet and High Priest, of infinitely greater dignity than Moses, Aaron, or Samuel, has received and declared to us the will of the Father. Let us not only exalt the Lord with our lips, but give him the throne in our heart; and while we worship him upon his mercy-seat, let us never forget that he is holy.
Key Words
מָלַךְ: to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel
עַם: a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
רָגַז: to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)
יָשַׁב: properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
כְּרוּב: a cherub or imaginary figure
אֶרֶץ: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
נוּט: to quake
גָּדוֹל: great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
צִיּוֹן: Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem
רוּם: to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Psalms 99Textual parallel of God ruling, dwelling, and sitting between the cherubim.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Historical foundation of the Lord of hosts dwelling between the cherubim on the ark.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Exhortation to worship at His footstool, identifying the footstool with the ark or sanctuary.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Explicitly names Moses and Samuel together as preeminent intercessors before God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The historical manifestation of God speaking to Moses in the cloudy pillar.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
God coming down in the pillar of cloud to speak with Aaron and Miriam.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Vengeance on inventions; Moses and Aaron chastised and excluded from Canaan despite being forgiven.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The threefold proclamation of God's holiness matching the structural refrain of this Psalm.
Supported by JFB
David's desire to build a house for the covenant ark, called God's footstool.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Samuel calling upon the Lord on behalf of Israel, and the Lord answering him.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal parallel celebrating the Lord as high and exalted above all the earth.
Supported by JFB
Moses interceding for Israel's sin, illustrating his role among those who call on God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God pardoning the people according to Moses' word, though chastisements followed.
Supported by JFB