Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

Psalm 99. This is another hymn celebrating God's kingship over all his creation (see Psalm 93), this time focusing on his exalted holiness (99:3, 5, 9) and the wonder that he has made a way for his people to come into his presence without danger. Although the emphasis falls specifically on God's covenant people, Israel, the element of universal hope for the Gentiles is also present: vv. 2-3 express the wish that "all the peoples" might praise the great and awesome name of the Lord.

99:1-5 The Lord Is a Holy and Majestic King. The first section stresses the stunning majesty of God's kingship (v. 1, he reigns and is enthroned upon the cherubim; v. 2, he is great and is exalted over all the peoples; vv. 3, 5, he is holy). It also emphasizes the proper human response to him (v. 1, let the peoples tremble; v. 3, let them--i.e., the peoples, v. 2--praise your great and awesome name; v. 5, people should exalt the Lord and worship). Verses 3 and 5 repeat the phrase, holy is he: the Lord is spotlessly pure and righteous, and separate above his creation. This universal God has made himself known in Zion (v. 2) and has established his just and gracious rule in Jacob (v. 4): here among his chosen people, Israel, the perfect kingship of God is supposed to be on display. The place of worship (the sanctuary) is God's footstool (cf. 132:7; 1 Chron. 28:2), in keeping with the royal image, where God the universal king is the acknowledged king over his people.