Every verse here opens — tap a number for what that one means.
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.
Commentary
Psalm 99, explained
What Psalm 99 is saying
The final enthronement psalm in the series, Psalm 99 declares God's reign with a threefold 'Holy is He' refrain, establishing divine holiness as the definitive attribute of YHWH's kingship. The psalm uniquely combines God's awesome transcendence (He sits enthroned between the cherubim, the earth trembles) with His accessible relational history—He spoke to Moses, Aaron, and Samuel from the pillar of cloud. He answered them and forgave them, yet also held them accountable.
The background behind it
The psalm's appeal to Moses, Aaron, and Samuel—mediators spanning the exodus through early monarchy—suggests a theology that transcends any single historical period. The cherubim enthronement imagery locates God's presence in the temple's Holy of Holies.
Themes running underneath
The threefold holy refrain (recalling Isaiah 6:3) establishes holiness as the integrating principle of God's character. Significantly, God's holiness does not preclude relationship—He answered when they called. The remarkable balance of forgiveness and accountability ('You were a forgiving God to them, yet an avenger of their misdeeds') captures the full complexity of divine holiness.
Why it still matters
Psalm 99 corrects both overly casual and overly distant approaches to God. His holiness demands reverence, but His responsiveness invites approach. The integration of forgiveness and accountability models a mature understanding of grace.
Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.