PSALM 99
This psalm is the next to last psalm in this section declaring that God reigns over all things (“Enthronement Psalms”).
God Reigns In Majesty & Holiness
99:1-3
The psalm begins by declaring the reign of Yahweh (“LORD” in most translations). The psalmist says it and shows it. He says the LORD reigns and then refers to him as sitting upon his throne “upon the cherubim”.
This is a reference to the ark of the covenant. God instructed Moses to make two cherubim, one at each end of the cover of the ark, also known as the mercy seat. The wings of the cherubim were stretched out over the cover. (Exodus 25:18-22) God promised to dwell there and meet with Moses there. The cherubim demonstrate the holiness of God, protecting his throne from the approach of sinful people.
The greater reference, though, is to the throne in heaven. We see John’s revelation of this throne in Revelation 4. There are four living creatures that surround the throne and worship God. These four living creatures may be the cherubim.
A vision of the throne was also given to Ezekiel. He likewise saw four living creatures around the throne. (Ezekiel 1:5) All of these visions and likenesses show us God as king, reigning from a throne, in greatness and glory.
The Lord’s reign is majestic. He is “great in Zion” and “exalted over all the peoples” (2) While he is recognized as great among his people, he is exalted over all people. This image shows God as reigning in the midst of his covenanted people. At that time, this meant in Jerusalem, referred to as Zion.
Now it refers to the church. Believers are citizens of a heavenly Jerusalem. The writer of Hebrews calls it the city of the living God and Mount Zion. (Hebrews 12:22-24) It is the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven. And Jesus Christ is our king! Ephesians 1:20-23 says:
“he (the Father) raised him (Christ) from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the age to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
The response of people is fear, reverence, and praise. People tremble and the earth quakes in his presence. We have seen several instances of this from stories in the Bible. But, the psalmist also calls on people to express praise to God.
Finally in this stanza, the psalmist declares that God is holy. And for that, we are to praise God.
God Reigns In Justice
99:4-5
God is just. It is one of his attributes. It is essential to his character. He loves justice. He rules with justice. He cannot act unjustly or unfairly.
He always acts in accordance with what is morally right and fair, linking his justice to his holiness.
Moses sang: “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:4) In Revelation, the church sings “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!’ ” (Revelation 15:3).
Again the stanza ends with a declaration of God’s holiness and a call to worship him. (5)
God Responds To His People
99:6-9
The psalmist gives us examples of times God responded to this people. Moses and Aaron heard him speak from a cloud and they obeyed him. Samuel also called on the Lord and heard his response.
In responding, God forgave them their sins. But, he also avenges wrong doing. That is, he is merciful, but also just.
The last verse is another call to worship God because he is holy. (9)
God’s holiness is a central concept to this psalm. Notice the psalm says it three times, in verses 3, 5, and 8. It shows us that God’s holiness is an essential part of his character. The threefold repetition is also used in Isaiah 6, Isaiah’s vision of God on his throne, the seraphim around the throne call out “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts”. (Isaiah 6:3) God’s holiness is the only trait that is exalted by this threefold repetition.
Since God’s holiness is important, what does it mean that God is holy?
First, it means God is unique and set apart from all of sinful humanity and all of creation.The Hebrew word for holy (“qadosh”) lt means "set apart" or "separate." God is not merely a really good version of ourselves. Rather, He is absolutely distinct from everything else in creation.
Isaiah 40:25, says: “To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One.”
Exodus 15:11 says: “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness…”
It is fitting that the last royal psalm ends with a declaration of God’s holiness since it is God’s supreme attribute. It is the only attribute given the three fold declaration “holy, holy, holy”.
Since God is holy, his people are called to be holy. In Leviticus 11:44 and 19:2, God says: "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy”.
The apostle Peter then quoted these verses and applied this command to new covenant believers, saying: “but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
So, let us be comforted knowing our God reigns over creation and let us worship him in praise and in holy living.
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