7 August Psalm 99

God is Holy

Psalm 99 focuses on the three pivotal aspects that set God apart from everything in creation, particularly other lords, kings, and gods. In verses 1-3, we are called to praise the Lord for His universal reign. The Lord, enthroned above the cherubim - above the Ark of the Covenant in the Temple in Zion (Jerusalem) - is exalted over all nations.

Psalm 99:1-3(NKJV) states: The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; let the earth be moved! The LORD is great in Zion, and He is high above all the peoples. Let them praise Your great and awesome name—He is holy. Verses 4-5 call us to praise the holy Lord for His justice. Israel's God is not only all-powerful but also completely just, a stark contrast to the other kings, lords, and gods of the surrounding nations.

As Psalm 99:4-5(NKJV) says: The King’s strength also loves justice; You have established equity; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool—He is holy.

Verses 6-9 are the climax of the Psalm. Verse 9 amplifies this call to praise by reminding us, a third time that the Lord our God is holy. God, the holy and righteous King, answers the prayers of His people, speaks to them, gives instructions, forgives, and disciplines them.

Psalm 99:6-9(NKJV) reads: Moses and Aaron were among His priests, And Samuel was among those who called upon His name; They called upon the LORD, and He answered them. He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar; They kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them. You answered them, O LORD our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives, Though You took vengeance on their deeds. Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His holy hill; For the LORD our God is holy.

God, the holy and righteous King worthy of all praise, is not detached from His creation. Through Christ, we can enter into fellowship with the holy God. This profound truth should lead us to worship Him, not only with our words but also through our lives.