Introduction
Psalm 99 is a royal psalm that proclaims the sovereignty and holiness of God. It calls the people of Israel—and all the earth—to recognize God’s rule and reverence His holiness. The psalm is filled with both praise and awe, emphasizing the greatness of God, His justice, and His holiness. It underscores God’s reign as one that is marked by righteousness and holiness, and it calls His people to worship Him with reverence.
Background of Psalm 99
Psalm 99 is part of the group of psalms (Psalms 93–100) that focus on God’s universal reign. While Psalm 98 looks forward to the triumph of God’s salvation, Psalm 99 focuses more specifically on the holiness and justice of God’s rule. It also celebrates God’s mighty acts in the past, particularly His dealings with Israel’s leaders, such as Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, who sought to follow God and led the people in faithfulness.
What Does Psalm 99 Mean?
Psalm 99 is divided into three sections: a call to praise God for His holiness (verses 1–3), a reminder of God’s holiness and justice in Israel’s history (verses 4–5), and a call to worship God for His justice and holiness (verses 6–9). The psalm stresses God’s transcendence and His immanence, His greatness and His nearness to those who seek Him. It also emphasizes the response of the faithful—reverent worship and trust in God’s justice.
- Verses 1–3: A call to worship God for His reign and holiness.
- Verses 4–5: The Lord’s justice and holiness, particularly as shown in His dealings with Israel’s leaders.
- Verses 6–9: A call to the faithful to trust in God’s justice and holiness, and to worship Him.
Verse Mapping Psalm 99:1
“The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble. He is enthroned above the cherubim; let the earth shake.” (CSB)
- Word Study
- The Lord reigns – This declares God’s sovereign authority over all creation. He is the King above all kings, and His reign is eternal. It serves as a declaration that God is in control of everything, both in heaven and on earth.
- Let the peoples tremble – The trembling of the peoples suggests awe and reverence in the face of God’s majesty. It signifies the appropriate response to the recognition of God’s power.
- He is enthroned above the cherubim – This refers to God’s seat of authority in heaven, often associated with the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat (Exodus 25:22). The cherubim were heavenly beings that guarded God’s presence, symbolizing God’s holiness and majesty.
- Let the earth shake – The shaking of the earth represents the mighty and overwhelming nature of God’s presence, a visual image of His power and sovereignty over the entire world.
- Cross-References
- 1 Samuel 4:4 – “So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim.”
- Isaiah 6:1 – “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne; and the hem of His robe filled the temple.”
- Revelation 4:8 – “Each of the four living creatures had six wings; they were covered with eyes around and inside. Day and night they never stop, saying, ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming.'”
- Paraphrase “The Lord reigns as King, let all the nations tremble in awe. He is seated on His heavenly throne, surrounded by cherubim; the earth itself shakes at His presence.”
- Application This verse calls us to recognize the sovereignty of God over all creation. It reminds us of God’s holiness and the reverence we should have when approaching Him. The trembling of the nations and the shaking of the earth reflect the appropriate awe we should have before a mighty and holy God. In our lives, this should result in worship and humility before God, acknowledging His supreme authority in every area of life.
How Can We Apply Psalm 99 Today?
- Recognize God’s Sovereignty Psalm 99 reminds us that God is the ultimate ruler, enthroned above all creation. In a world where we often try to control our circumstances, it’s important to remember that God reigns over all. No matter what we face, God is in control, and we are called to trust in His rule.
- Approach God with Reverence The psalmist calls us to tremble before the Lord, to approach Him with awe and reverence. In our daily lives, this means recognizing the holiness of God and responding with humility and respect. It encourages us to worship Him not only with our words but with our attitudes and actions, showing reverence in all that we do.
- Acknowledge God’s Justice Psalm 99 highlights God’s justice and the way He acted in the lives of His people, especially through their leaders. We are reminded that God is just and that He will always act in righteousness. In times of uncertainty or when we face injustice, we can trust that God will bring justice in His perfect timing.
- Live in Expectation of God’s Presence The imagery of the earth shaking and the cherubim surrounding God’s throne reminds us of the majesty of His presence. As we worship and serve Him, we can live in anticipation of His presence, knowing that God is near and that He inhabits the praises of His people.
- Invite Others to Worship The call to worship in Psalm 99 is universal. The nations are called to recognize God’s reign. As believers, we have the opportunity to share this message with others, inviting them to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and to worship Him.
Reflection Questions
- How do you recognize God’s sovereignty in your life? How does this impact your daily decisions and actions?
- In what areas of your life do you need to approach God with more reverence?
- How can you trust God’s justice when you see injustice around you?
- How can you encourage others to recognize and worship God’s greatness?
A Closing Prayer
Lord, we worship You as the Sovereign King, enthroned above all creation. You reign in holiness and justice, and we tremble in awe before Your mighty presence. Help us to recognize Your rule in every part of our lives and to approach You with reverence. May we trust in Your justice and eagerly await the day when Your reign is fully established. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Final Thoughts
Psalm 99 calls us to worship God for His sovereignty, holiness, and justice. As we reflect on His reign, we are reminded of the proper response—reverent worship and trust in His goodness. May this psalm lead us to a deeper recognition of God’s greatness and to a life of humble worship and obedience.
