Psalms 99

1 The Lord hath reigned, [the] peoples be wroth; thou that sittest on cherubim, the earth be moved. (The Lord reigneth, let the peoples tremble; thou who sittest above the cherubim, let the earth be shaken!)

2 The Lord is great in Zion; and high above all peoples.

3 Acknowledge they to thy great name, for it is fearedful and holy; (Praise they thy great name, for it is fearful, and holy/for it is to be revered, for it is holy,)

4 and the honour of the king loveth doom. Thou hast made ready (ad)dressings; thou hast made doom and rightfulness in Jacob. (and mighty; and, O King, thou loveth justice. Thou hast prepared directions, that is, laws, and commands, for us; thou hast made justice and righteousness in Jacob.)

5 Enhance ye our Lord God; and worship ye (at) the stool of his feet, for it is holy. (Exalt ye the Lord our God; and worship ye, or bow ye down, at the stool of his feet, for he is holy.)

6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests; and Samuel was among them that inwardly call his name. They inwardly called the Lord, and he heard them; (Moses and Aaron were among his priests; and Samuel was among those who called on his name. They called on the Lord, and he answered them;)

7 in a pillar of cloud he spake to them. They kept his witnessings; and the commandment which he gave to them. (he spoke to them from the pillar of cloud. They obeyed his laws, and his commandments, which he gave to them.)

8 Our Lord God, thou heardest them; God, thou were merciful to them, and thou tookest vengeance on all their findings. (Lord our God, thou answeredest them; God, thou were merciful to them, even though thou punished them for all their sins.)

9 Enhance ye our Lord God, and worship ye in his holy hill; for our Lord God is holy. (Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship ye at his holy hill/and bow ye down towards his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy.)

Psalms 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.