The author of Psalm 99 is not known, but whomever wrote it shares with us a praise for God's fairness and holiness. Because God is perfectly just and fair; we can trust him completely.
Psalm 99:1 - "The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake"
Cherubim are mighty angels that comprise one of several ranks of angels (for more on angels, look back at the psalm 91 post - verse 11).
Psalm 99:3 - "Let them praise your great and awesome name - he is holy"
Everyone should praise God's great and awesome name because his name symbolizes his nature, his personage, and his reputation. But the name of God is used so often in vulgar conversation that we have lost sight of its holiness. How easy it is to treat God lightly in everyday life. If you claim him as your father, live worthy of the family name. Respect God's name and give him praise by both your words and your life.
Psalm 99:5 - "Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool, he is holy"
God's holiness is terribly frightening for sinners, but a wonderful comfort for believers. God is morally perfect and is set apart from people and sin. He has no weaknesses or shortcomings. For sinners, this is frightening because all their inadequacies and evil are exposed by the light of God's holiness. God cannot tolerate, ignore or excuse sin. For believers, God's holiness gives comfort because, as we worship him, we are lifted from the mire of sin. As we believe in him, we are made holy.
Psalm 99 / New International Version
ReplyDelete1 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 O 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.