Psalms 99:1

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} reigneth {H4427}; let the people {H5971} tremble {H7264}: he sitteth {H3427} between the cherubims {H3742}; let the earth {H776} be moved {H5120}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI is king; let the peoples tremble. He sits enthroned on the k'ruvim; let the earth shake!

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD reigns; let the nations tremble! He is enthroned above the cherubim; let the earth quake!

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 99:1 powerfully declares the absolute sovereignty and majestic reign of YHWH, the covenant God of Israel, over all creation. It serves as an urgent summons for humanity to acknowledge His supreme authority with profound reverence and awe, emphasizing His immanent presence among His people, symbolized by His dwelling "between the cherubims," and calling the entire earth to respond to His undisputed kingship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 99:1 initiates a "royal enthronement psalm," part of a larger collection (Psalms 93, 95-99) that celebrates YHWH's universal kingship. This psalm specifically highlights God's holiness, justice, and mercy, presenting His reign as the foundation for His righteous governance. The opening declaration, "The LORD reigneth," immediately establishes the central theme, setting a tone of worship and awe that permeates the rest of the psalm. It functions as a liturgical call, inviting the congregation to respond to the King's presence and power, echoing the themes of God's universal dominion found in [Psalm 93](/psalms/93 "Psalm 93 - The Lord Reigns") and [Psalm 96](/psalms/96 "Psalm 96 - Sing to the Lord a New Song").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of God reigning was central to ancient Israelite theology, distinguishing YHWH from the pantheon of pagan deities. Unlike the limited, often capricious, gods of surrounding nations, Israel's God was understood as the singular, eternal King over all. The phrase "He sitteth between the cherubims" directly references the Ark of the Covenant, which was the most sacred object in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The cherubim, depicted on the Ark's mercy seat, symbolized God's throne and His localized, yet transcendent, presence among His people. This imagery would have evoked powerful memories of God's past interventions, His covenant faithfulness, and His role as the divine warrior and lawgiver, particularly as seen in [Exodus 25:22](/exodus/25-22 "Exodus 25:22 - God's Presence on the Mercy Seat").
* **Key Themes:** The verse introduces several foundational theological themes. Foremost is **God's Sovereignty and Kingship**, asserting His supreme authority over all creation, nations, and human affairs. This is not merely a static attribute but an active, ongoing dominion that demands recognition. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **Divine Awe and Reverence**, calling for a response of profound respect and humble submission, rather than terror, in the presence of God's immense power and holiness. This aligns with the biblical understanding of "the fear of the Lord" as the beginning of wisdom, as expressed in [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom"). Finally, it points to **God's Immanent Presence**, specifically through the imagery of Him "sitting between the cherubims," signifying His accessibility and active involvement in the lives of His covenant people. This underscores that the sovereign King is not distant but intimately present and engaged with His creation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH_):** This is the Tetragrammaton, the personal, covenant name of God, often rendered "Yahweh." Its use here emphasizes that it is the one true God, the God of Israel, who is actively reigning. It speaks to His unique identity and His faithfulness to His covenant promises.
* **reigneth (Hebrew, _malak'_):** This verb signifies "to be king," "to rule," or "to exercise royal power." It is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action with ongoing results, thus affirming God's established and continuous dominion. It highlights His active, present, and undisputed authority over all things.
* **tremble (Hebrew, _ragaz'_):** While it can denote shaking with fear, in this context, it primarily conveys a profound, reverent awe, agitation, or respectful disturbance that arises from encountering overwhelming majesty and holiness. It suggests a humble, submissive response to God's sovereign power, rather than mere terror.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD reigneth":** This is the foundational declaration, an absolute and unchallengeable statement of fact. It proclaims God's supreme and active kingship over all creation, nations, and events. It is a theological bedrock, asserting that ultimate authority resides not with human rulers or natural forces, but with YHWH alone.
* **"let the people tremble":** This is an imperative, a command for humanity to respond appropriately to God's reign. The "trembling" is not born of paralyzing fear but of profound awe and reverence in the face of His majesty and power. It signifies a humble acknowledgment of His holiness and a call to worship Him with due respect and submission.
* **"he sitteth [between] the cherubims":** This phrase describes God's specific manifestation of His presence among His people, referring to the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The cherubim guarded this sacred space, symbolizing God's throne and His localized, yet transcendent, dwelling. It signifies His accessibility to His covenant people and His active involvement in their lives, even as He remains sovereign over all.
* **"let the earth be moved":** This is another imperative, extending the call to reverence beyond humanity to the entire created order. The "moving" of the earth signifies a profound, universal response to God's reign, a cosmic acknowledgment of His power and authority. It can be understood as a metaphor for the shaking and trembling of all things before the immense, uncontainable presence of the sovereign God.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 99:1 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is the **Enthronement Psalm** genre itself, which celebrates God's kingship and calls for universal worship. The verse utilizes **Imperative Mood** ("let the people tremble," "let the earth be moved") to issue direct commands, emphasizing the required response to God's reign. **Anthropomorphism** is present in "he sitteth," attributing a human posture to God to convey His settled authority and presence, though without implying physical limitation. The phrase "between the cherubims" is a rich **Symbolism**, representing God's holy presence and His throne of grace and judgment. Finally, **Parallelism** is evident in the two imperative clauses, "let the people tremble" and "let the earth be moved," which amplify the call for a universal and profound response to God's sovereign rule.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 99:1 lays a foundational theological truth: God's absolute and unchallengeable sovereignty. This declaration resonates throughout Scripture, affirming that YHWH is not merely a distant deity but the active King who governs all things with justice and righteousness. His reign is the source of all order, the basis for all moral law, and the ultimate guarantee of His covenant faithfulness. The call to "tremble" underscores the necessary posture of humility and reverence before such a magnificent God, while His dwelling "between the cherubims" reveals His desire for intimate presence with His people, even as He remains transcendent. This tension between transcendence and immanence is a recurring theme, inviting both awe and approachability.

* [Psalms 93:1](/psalms/93-1 "Psalm 93:1 - The Lord Reigns, He is Clothed with Majesty")
* [Exodus 25:22](/exodus/25-22 "Exodus 25:22 - God's Communication from the Mercy Seat")
* [Revelation 19:6](/revelation/19-6 "Revelation 19:6 - The Lord God Omnipotent Reigns")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 99:1 offers profound comfort and a powerful call to worship for believers today. In a world often characterized by chaos, uncertainty, and the rise and fall of human powers, the declaration "The LORD reigneth" provides an unshakeable anchor. It reminds us that no earthly authority, no global crisis, and no personal struggle is outside the sovereign control of our King. This truth should cultivate a deep sense of peace and security, knowing that God is on His throne, actively governing all things for His purposes. It also compels us to approach Him not casually, but with a profound sense of awe and reverence, recognizing His holiness and majesty. Our lives, therefore, should be lived in humble submission to His will, trusting in His righteous reign and finding our ultimate hope and stability in His unchanging dominion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that "The LORD reigneth" impact your perspective on current global events or personal challenges?**
* **In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverent awe ("trembling") in your worship and daily walk with God?**
* **How does God's immanent presence, symbolized by "sitting between the cherubims," encourage you to draw near to Him?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for "the earth to be moved" in response to God's reign?**

Answer: The phrase "let the earth be moved" is a poetic and powerful expression, an imperative command for the entire created order to respond to God's sovereign reign. It doesn't necessarily imply a literal geological upheaval, but rather a profound, universal acknowledgment and trembling before the immense power and majesty of God. It signifies that God's kingship is so absolute and overwhelming that even the inanimate earth is called to respond with awe and submission. This imagery is common in biblical poetry, often indicating the cosmic impact of God's presence and actions, as seen in passages like [Psalm 77:18](/psalms/77-18 "Psalm 77:18 - The Earth Trembled and Shook"). It underscores that God's dominion extends over all creation, and all creation is called to recognize and respond to Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 99:1 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The declaration "The LORD reigneth" is fully realized in Christ, who is God incarnate and the ultimate King. [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus") proclaims that "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me," confirming His universal and absolute reign. The call for "the people [to] tremble" and "the earth [to] be moved" finds its deepest meaning in the reverent awe due to Christ, before whom "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" ([Philippians 2:10](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). Furthermore, the imagery of God "sitting between the cherubims" points directly to Christ as the ultimate manifestation of God's immanent presence. He is "Immanuel," God with us ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel, God With Us")), the very "radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory")). Moreover, Christ is our true and eternal mercy seat, the propitiation for our sins, through whom we can now "approach God’s throne of grace with confidence" ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")), providing access to the holy presence once symbolized by the cherubim-guarded Ark.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 97:1

¶ The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad [thereof].

Exodus 25:22

And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which [are] upon the ark of the testimony, of all [things] which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

Psalms 97:4

His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.

Psalms 93:1

¶ The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, [wherewith] he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

Psalms 80:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest [between] the cherubims, shine forth.

Revelation 20:11

¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Isaiah 19:14

The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken [man] staggereth in his vomit.