Psalms 99:4

4 Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

Psalms 99:4 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 99:4

The King's strength also loveth judgment
Or he who is a strong and mighty King, as Christ is; which appears by saving his people, and preserving them to his kingdom and glory, and by destroying all his and their enemies; but, though he is so potent and victorious a Prince, yet no tyrannical one, he loves and does what is just and righteous; he loved the righteous law of God, and obeyed it in the whole course of his life; he wrought out a perfect righteousness for his people, and encourages and loves righteousness in them; he will judge the world in righteousness hereafter; and is now on his throne, and in his kingdom, ordering it with judgment and justice; all the administrations of his kingly office are just and true, and herein he delights:

thou dost establish equity,
or "equities" F1; uprightnesses, righteousnesses; a perfect and a complete righteousness:

this he has prepared
F2, as the word signifies, by his obedience, sufferings, and death, and has established as an everlasting one; moreover, equity, righteousness, and justice, are the settled rules and laws of his government; see ( Isaiah 9:7 ) ( Isaiah 11:4 Isaiah 11:5 ) ,

thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob;
among the true Israel and people of God, as David his type did, ( 2 Samuel 8:15 ) , thereby keeping them in due order, in the observance of his righteous judgments and statutes, and defending them from their enemies.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 (Myrvym) "rectitudines", Montanus, Gejerus, Michaelis; "aequitates", Vatablus; "recta", Musculus.
F2 (tnnwk) "parasti", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Gejerus; "praeparasti", Tigure version.

Psalms 99:4 In-Context

2 The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name. Holy is he!
4 Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Extol the Lord our God; worship at his footstool. Holy is he!
6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called on his name. They cried to the Lord, and he answered them.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Cn: Heb [And a king's strength]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.