Psalm 99

1 IL Signore regna: temino i popoli; Colui che siede sopra i Cherubini regna: la terra tremi.

2 Il Signore è grande in Sion, Ed eccelso sopra tutti i popoli.

3 Essi celebreranno, o Signore, il tuo Nome grande e tremendo. Esso è santo.

4 E la forza del Re ama il giudicio; Tu hai stabilita la dirittura; Tu hai fatto giudicio, e giustizia in Giacobbe.

5 Esaltate il Signore Iddio nostro, E adorate davanti allo scannello de’ suoi piedi. Egli è santo.

6 Mosè ed Aaronne furono fra i suoi sacerdoti; E Samuele fra quelli che invocarono il suo Nome. Essi invocarono il Signore, ed egli rispose loro.

7 Egli parlò loro dalla colonna della nuvola; Essi altresì osservarono le sue testimonianze, E gli statuti ch’egli diede loro.

8 O Signore Iddio nostro, tu li esaudisti; Tu fosti loro un Dio perdonatore; Ma altresì vendicator de’ lor fatti.

9 Esaltate il Signore Iddio nostro, E adorate nel monte della sua santità; Perciocchè il Signore Iddio nostro è santo.

Psalm 99 Commentary

Chapter 99

The happy government God's people are under. (1-5) Its happy administration. (6-9)

Verses 1-5 God governs the world by his providence, governs the church by his grace, and both by his Son. The inhabitants of the earth have cause to tremble, but the Redeemer still waits to be gracious. Let all who hear, take warning, and seek his mercy. The more we humble ourselves before God, the more we exalt him; and let us be thus reverent, for he is holy.

Verses 6-9 The happiness of Israel is made out by referring to the most useful governors of that people. They in every thing made God's word and law their rule, knowing that they could not else expect that their prayers should be answered. They all wonderfully prevailed with God in prayer; miracles were wrought at their request. They pleaded for the people, and obtained answers of peace. Our Prophet and High Priest, of infinitely greater dignity than Moses, Aaron, or Samuel, has received and declared to us the will of the Father. Let us not only exalt the Lord with our lips, but give him the throne in our heart; and while we worship him upon his mercy-seat, let us never forget that he is holy.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 99

This psalm, with the foregoing from Ps 90:1 is ascribed to Moses by Jarchi and others; but cannot be his, since mention is made of Samuel in it, who lived many years after him. The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, more rightly attribute it to David; the inscription of the Syriac version, after saying it is David's, subjoins,

``concerning the destruction of the Midianites, whom Moses and the people of Israel led captive;''

of which there is not the least mention in it; but it more truly adds,

``and a prophecy concerning the glory of the kingdom of the Messiah;''

as it undoubtedly is.