Psalms 99:3-9

3 Let them praise his great and wonderful name. He is holy.

4 The King is mighty. He loves what is fair. He has set up the rules for fairness. He has done what is right and fair for the people of Jacob.

5 Honor the LORD our God. Worship at his feet. He is holy.

6 Moses and Aaron were two of his priests. Samuel was one of those who worshiped him. They called out to the Lord. And he answered them.

7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud. They obeyed his laws and the orders he gave them.

8 LORD our God, you answered them. You showed Israel that you are a God who forgives. But when they did wrong, you punished them.

9 Honor the LORD our God. Worship at his holy mountain. The LORD our God is holy.

Psalms 99:3-9 Meaning and Commentary

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.