Psalms — Chapter 99

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1The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.

2The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.

3Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.

4The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.

5Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

6Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.

7He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.

8Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.

9Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.

1Jehovah reigneth; let the peoples tremble: He sitteth [above] the cherubim; let the earth be moved.

2Jehovah is great in Zion; And he is high above all the peoples.

3Let them praise thy great and terrible name: Holy is he.

4The king`s strength also loveth justice; Thou dost establish equity; Thou executest justice and righteousness in Jacob.

5Exalt ye Jehovah our God, And worship at his footstool: Holy is he.

6Moses and Aaron among his priests, And Samuel among them that call upon his name; They called upon Jehovah, and he answered them.

7He spake unto them in the pillar of cloud: They kept his testimonies, And the statute that he gave them.

8Thou answeredst them, O Jehovah our God: Thou wast a God that forgavest them, Though thou tookest vengeance of their doings.

9Exalt ye Jehovah our God, And worship at his holy hill; For Jehovah our God is holy. Psalm 100 A Psalm of thanksgiving.

1The Lord reigns! The nations tremble. He sits enthroned above the cherubim; the earth shakes.

2The Lord is elevated in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations.

3Let them praise your great and awesome name. He is holy!

4The king is strong; he loves justice. You ensure that legal decisions will be made fairly; you promote justice and equity in Jacob.

5Praise the Lord our God. Worship before his footstool. He is holy!

6Moses and Aaron were among his priests; Samuel was one of those who prayed to him. They prayed to the Lord and he answered them.

7He spoke to them from a pillar of cloud; they obeyed his regulations and the ordinance he gave them.

8O Lord our God, you answered them. They found you to be a forgiving God, but also one who punished their sinful deeds.

9Praise the Lord our God! Worship on his holy hill, for the Lord our God is holy.

1Yahweh reigns! Let the peoples tremble. He sits enthroned among the cherubim. Let the earth be moved.

2Yahweh is great in Zion. He is high above all the peoples.

3Let them praise your great and awesome name. He is Holy!

4The King’s strength also loves justice. You do establish equity. You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob.

5Exalt Yahweh our God. Worship at his footstool. He is Holy!

6Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel among those who call on his name; they called on Yahweh, and he answered them.

7He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud. They kept his testimonies, the statute that he gave them.

8You answered them, Yahweh our God. You are a God who forgave them, although you took vengeance for their doings.

9Exalt Yahweh, our God. Worship at his holy hill, for Yahweh, our God, is holy!

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

An enthronement psalm — 'The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble'; He is great in Zion, a lover of justice; Moses, Aaron, and Samuel called upon Him and He answered; He is holy (repeated three times).

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Enthronement / Holiness Psalm Attributed Author: Anonymous Key Themes: The LORD reigns, God's holiness (triple refrain), trembling before God, justice and equity, God answering His servants, forgiveness AND consequences
Historical Context: The last of the enthronement psalms (93-99). Its distinguishing feature is the triple refrain "He is holy" (vv.3,5,9) — echoing the Seraphim's "Holy, holy, holy" in Isaiah 6:3. The psalm moves from God's cosmic reign (vv.1-3) to His just rule over Jacob (vv.4-5) to His historical relationship with Moses, Aaron, and Samuel (vv.6-9). These three intercessors exemplify the psalm's dual theme: God forgives (answered their prayers) AND avenges (took vengeance on their inventions/wrongdoings). Grace and accountability coexist in God's holiness. He pardons sin but does not ignore consequences.
Structure:
  • The LORD Reigns: Tremble! (vv.1-3)
  • The King Loves Justice (vv.4-5)
  • God Answered Moses, Aaron, Samuel (vv.6-7)
  • Forgiveness AND Consequences (vv.8-9)

Map & Geography

  • Zion (v.2): The hill on which Jerusalem/the Temple stood; often used poetically for God's dwelling.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. Holiness should produce trembling (v.1). Not casual familiarity but holy awe. God is accessible through grace — but He is still HOLY. Approach with reverence, not flippancy.
  • 2. God forgives AND allows consequences (v.8). These are not contradictions. A parent can forgive a child's misdeed while still enforcing natural consequences. God pardons sin while allowing its earthly effects to play out. Grace does not erase all consequences.
  • 3. God answers those who call on Him (v.6). Moses called — God answered. Aaron called — God answered. Samuel called — God answered. The pattern: those who call receive answers. Do you call? Do you expect answers?
  • 4. "He is holy" is the foundation of everything (vv.3,5,9). Not just one attribute among many — holiness IS God's essential character. Everything else flows from this. Worship, justice, forgiveness, consequences — all are expressions of His holiness.