Psalm Chapter 99 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
2 The Lord is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.
3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
4 The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
More Psalms Chapter 99
6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.
7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
8 Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
9 Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 99:1
Verse: יְהוָה מָלָךְ, יִרְנָּן עַמִּים
Transliteration: Adonai malakh, yirnan amim
English: “The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!”
Focus Word: רָנַן (Ranan)
- Root: ר-נ-ן (Resh-Nun-Nun)
- Meaning: “To sing for joy,” “to shout,” “to rejoice.”
- Deeper Insight: Ranan reflects celebratory exultation, combining awe and praise for God’s majesty.
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 99 |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Scott (University of Edinburgh, 1747–1821) | Commentary on the Holy Bible | Scott emphasizes the holiness of God, showing that reverent worship is central to spiritual life. |
| John Owen (University of Oxford, 1616–1683) | A Commentary on the Psalms | Owen illustrates how God’s justice and rule establish moral order and inspire obedience. |
| George Buchanan (St Andrews / Paris, 1506–1582) | Commentaries on the Psalms | Buchanan conveys that God’s exaltation above all nations calls for awe and reverent worship. |
| Philip Doddridge (Northampton Academy, 1702–1751) | Family Expositor | God’s majesty and justice are invitations to communal praise and personal reverence. |
| John Brown (Edinburgh, 1722–1787) | Self-Interpreting Bible | Brown emphasizes that the Psalm calls believers to both acknowledge God’s authority and intercede for mercy. |
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin sees the psalm as exalting God’s holiness and sovereign rule. The trembling of nations reflects His majesty. God answers His servants with both mercy and discipline. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition on the Psalms | Henry interprets the psalm as magnifying the holiness of God enthroned above all. His dealings with Moses, Aaron, and Samuel show His justice and grace. The psalm calls for reverent worship. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes views the psalm as proclaiming God’s supreme holiness. He rules with equity and justice. The examples of Israel’s leaders display God’s faithful dealings. |
| John Morison – Practical Exposition of the Psalms | Morison sees God’s holiness as the central theme. The psalmist recalls God’s responsiveness to prayer. Holiness inspires both awe and trust. |
| William Walford – Commentary on the Psalms | Walford interprets the psalm as declaring God’s rule over all peoples. His holiness demands reverence. God’s dealings with His servants reveal His moral perfection. |
| Andrew A. Bonar – Christ and His Church in the Psalms | Bonar views the psalm as Christ reigning in holiness. God answers His people yet chastens them for good. Worship flows from recognizing His exalted throne. |
| Joseph Parker – People’s Bible Notes | Parker sees the psalm as emphasizing God’s perfect righteousness. His holiness is comforting to the faithful and terrifying to the wicked. Worship acknowledges His supremacy. |
| Thomas Dale – Exposition of the Psalms | Dale interprets the psalm as portraying God’s exalted holiness. The examples of Israel’s mediators show His faithful presence. Reverence is the fitting response. |
| Horatius Bonar – Psalm Meditations | Bonar views the psalm as adoration of the thrice-holy God. His rule is upright and His dealings merciful. The faithful bow before His majesty. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – Commentary on the Psalms | Wordsworth interprets the psalm as the Church proclaiming God’s holiness. He is just yet forgiving. Worship flows from acknowledging His exalted throne. |
Psalm Chapter 99 Devotional: WORSHIP GOD IN HIS HOLY HILL
Thought for the day: It takes the men of holy heart to climb the holy hill of the Lord
Message:
The description of God mentioned in this chapter shows that no man can attain the mountain of the Lord in worship if He has not been cleansed. Right from verse one, we were told that the seat of God is between the Cherubims and His reign makes the earth tremble. These descriptions show that a man with dirty hands is not fit to worship God in His holy mountain.
Here, I remember the response of the Israelites when God asked Moses to bring them to talk to them. See their response
18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
Exodus 20:18-20
The voice of the Lord was strange to them because they had not worked with God before, no wonder prayers were not being answered and no wonder people were not experiencing God like before again. No unclean man can attain the presence of God. See the scripture:
Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Psalm 15:1-5
The first requirement of a man that worships God is a man must be of a clean heart and a clean hand. Don’t live as if there is no God. Let your life and your all be committed to God totally.
My Counsel
Ø The hill of the Lord is to them with pure hearts and hands.
Ø You will not be able to attain the fullness of God if you are not ready to surrender the fullness of man.
Declaration
Father, I surrender my life to you that you possess all about me. I choose to stay in your presence in Jesus' name.
