Psalms 99 · ESV Study Bible

The LORD Our God Is Holy

PSALM 99 [†] s The LORD reigns; t let the peoples tremble!

He u sits enthroned upon the cherubim; v let the earth quake!

2 The LORD is w great in Zion;

he is x exalted over all the peoples.

3[^] Let them praise your y great and awesome name!

z Holy is he!

4[^][†] a The King in his might b loves justice. [1]

You have established equity;

you have executed justice

and righteousness in Jacob.

5[†] c Exalt the LORD our God;

d worship at his e footstool!

z Holy is he!

6[†] f Moses and Aaron were among his g priests,

Samuel also was among those who h called upon his name.

They i called to the LORD, and he answered them.

7 In j the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;

they k kept his testimonies

and the statute that he gave them.

8[†] O LORD our God, you answered them;

you were l a forgiving God to them,

but m an avenger of their wrongdoings.

9[†] Exalt the LORD our God,

and worship at his n holy mountain;

for the LORD our God is holy!

A Psalm for o giving thanks.

PSALM—NOTE ON 99:4 loves justice. The might that this king wields is directed entirely to good and pure ends. In the true God there is absolute might combined with absolute right, and this endears him to his faithful worshipers. (On the idea of God’s just rule, see note on Psalm 96.)

PSALM—NOTE ON 99:5 Exalt (see also v. 9). The Lord is “exalted,” i.e., high in majesty, and people are to “exalt” him, i.e., to honor God for his high majesty.

PSALM—NOTE ON 99:9 Exalt. See note on v. 5. holy mountain. This can be the mountain on which Jerusalem sits (e.g., 87:1), or more specifically, the mountain where the temple is located (e.g., 15:1). Observe how this verse echoes 99:5.

PSALM—NOTE ON 99:1–5 The Lord Is a Holy and Majestic King. The first section stresses the stunning majesty of God’s kingship (v. 1, he reigns and is enthroned upon the cherubim; v. 2, he is great and is exalted over all the peoples; vv. 3, 5, he is holy). It also emphasizes the proper human response to him (v. 1, let the peoples tremble; v. 3, let them—i.e., the peoples, v. 2—praise your great and awesome name; v. 5, people should exalt the LORD and worship). Verses 3 and 5 repeat the phrase, holy is he: the Lord is spotlessly pure and righteous, and separate above his creation. This universal God has made himself known in Zion (v. 2) and has established his just and gracious rule in Jacob (v. 4): here among his chosen people, Israel, the perfect kingship of God is supposed to be on display. The place of worship (the sanctuary) is God’s footstool (cf. 132:7; 1 Chron. 28:2), in keeping with the royal image, where God the universal king is the acknowledged king over his people.

PSALM—NOTE ON 99:1 enthroned upon the cherubim. See note on 80:1. let the peoples tremble. This may be simply the humble response to God’s majesty; but, in view of the interest in Zion (99:2) and Jacob (v. 4), i.e., in God’s people Israel, it probably also stresses that the Gentiles should fear to harm God’s own people (cf. Ex. 15:14; Deut. 2:25) and should instead join them in worship (Ps. 99:3; cf. 96:7–9).

PSALM—NOTE ON Psalm 99. This is another hymn celebrating God’s kingship over all his creation (see Psalm 93), this time focusing on his exalted holiness (99:3, 5, 9) and the wonder that he has made a way for his people to come into his presence without danger. Although the emphasis falls specifically on God’s covenant people, Israel, the element of universal hope for the Gentiles is also present: vv. 2–3 express the wish that “all the peoples” might praise the great and awesome name of the Lord.