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Commentary on Psalms 99 verses 1–5
The foundation of all religion is laid in this truth, That the Lord reigns. God governs the world by his providence, governs the church by his grace, and both by his Son. We are to believe not only that the Lord lives, but that the Lord reigns. This is the triumph of the Christian church, and here it was the triumph of the Jewish church, that Jehovah was their King; and hence it is inferred, Let the people tremble, that is, 1. Let even the subjects of this kingdom tremble; for the Old Testament dispensation had much of terror in it. At Mount Sinai Israel, and even Moses himself, did exceedingly fear and quake; and then God was terrible in his holy places. Even when he appeared in his people's behalf, he did terrible things. But we are not now come to that mount that burned with fire, Heb 12:18. Now that the Lord reigns let the earth rejoice. Then he ruled more by the power of holy fear; now he rules by the power of holy love. 2. Much more let the enemies of this kingdom tremble; for he will either bring them into obedience to his golden sceptre or crush them with his iron rod. The Lord reigns, though the people be stirred with indignation at it; though they fret away all their spirits, their rage is all in vain. He will set his King upon his holy hill of Zion in spite of them (Psa 2:1-6); first, or last, he will make them tremble, Rev 6:15, etc. The Lord reigns, let the earth be moved. Those that submit to him shall be established, and not moved (Psa 96:10); but those that oppose him will be moved. Heaven and earth shall be shaken, and all nations; but the kingdom of Christ is what cannot be moved; the things which cannot be shaken shall remain, Heb 12:27. In these is continuance, Isa 64:5.
God's kingdom, set up in Israel, is here made the subject of the psalmist's praise.
I. Two things the psalmist affirms: - 1. God presided in the affairs of religion: He sitteth between the cherubim (Psa 99:1), as on his throne, to give law by the oracles thence delivered - as on the mercy-seat, to receive petitions. This was the honour of Israel, that they had among them the Shechinah, or special presence of God, attended by the holy angels; the temple was the royal palace, and the Holy of holies was the presence-chamber. The Lord is great in Zion (Psa 99:2); there he is known and praised (Psa 76:1, Psa 76:2); there he is served as great, more than any where else. He is high there above all people; as that which is high is exposed to view, and looked up to, so in Zion the perfections of the divine nature appear more conspicuous and more illustrious than any where else. Therefore let those that dwell in Zion, and worship there, praise thy great and terrible name, and give thee the glory due unto it, for it is holy. The holiness of God's name makes it truly great to his friends and terrible to his enemies, Psa 99:3. This is that which those above adore - Holy, holy, holy. 2. He was all in all in their civil government, Psa 99:4. As in Jerusalem was the testimony of Israel, whither the tribes went up, so there were set thrones of judgment, Psa 122:4, Psa 122:5. Their government was a theocracy. God raised up David to rule over them (and some think this psalm was penned upon occasion of his quiet and happy settlement in the throne) and he is the king whose strength loves judgment. He is strong; all his strength he has from God; and his strength is not abused for the support of any wrong, as the power of great princes often is, but it loves judgment. He does justice with his power, and does it with delight; and herein he was a type of Christ, to whom God would give the throne of his father David, to do judgment and justice. He has power to crush, but his strength loves judgment; he does not rule with rigour, but with moderation, with wisdom, and with tenderness. The people of Israel had a good king; but they are here taught to look up to God as he by whom their king reigns: Thou dost establish equity (that is, God gave them those excellent laws by which they were governed), and thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob; he not only by his immediate providences often executed and enforced his own laws, but took care for the administration of justice among them by civil magistrates, who reigned by him and by him did decree justice. Their judges judged for God, and their judgment was his, Ch2 19:6.
II. Putting these two things together, we see what was the happiness of Israel above any other people, as Moses had described it (Deu 4:7, Deu 4:8), that they had God so night unto them, sitting between the cherubim, and that they had statutes and judgments so righteous, by which equity was established, and God himself ruled in Jacob, from which he infers this command to that happy people (Psa 99:5): "Exalt you the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; give him the glory of the good government you are under, as it is now established, both in church and state." Note, 1. The greater the public mercies are which we have a share in the more we are obliged to bear a part in the public homage paid to God: the setting up of the kingdom of Christ, especially, ought to be the matter of our praise. 2. When we draw night to God, to worship him, our hearts must be filled with high thoughts of him, and he must be exalted in our souls. 3. The more we abase ourselves, and the more prostrate we are before God, the more we exalt him. We must worship at his footstool, at his ark, which was as the footstool to the mercy-seat between the cherubim; or we must cast ourselves down upon the pavement of his courts; and good reason we have to be thus reverent, for he is holy, and his holiness should strike an awe upon us, as it does on the angels themselves, Isa 6:2, Isa 6:3.
"The Lord is great in Sion, and high above all people" [Psalm 99:2]....He whom I spoke to you of as above the Cherubims, is great in Sion. Ask thou now, what is Sion? We know Sion to be the city of God. The city of Jerusalem is called Sion; and is so called according to a certain interpretation, for that Sion signifies watching, that is, sight and contemplation; for to watch is to look forward to, or gaze upon, or strain the eyes to see. Now every soul is a Sion, if it tries to see that light which is to be seen. For if it shall have gazed upon a light of its own, it is darkened; if upon His, it is enlightened. But, now that it is clear that Sion is the city of God; what is the city of God, but the Holy Church? For men who love one another, and who love their God who dwells in them, constitute a city unto God. Because a city is held together by some law; their very law is Love; and that very Love is God: for openly it is written, "God is Love." [1 John 4:8] He therefore who is full of Love, is full of God; and many, full of love, constitute a city full of God. That city of God is called Sion; the Church therefore is Sion. In it God is great....
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SUMMARY
Psalms 99:2 majestically declares the dual nature of God's reign: His immanent presence and manifest power within Zion, His chosen dwelling place among His people, and simultaneously His transcendent sovereignty, reigning supreme and exalted over all humanity and the entire cosmos. This verse establishes the foundational truth for a psalm that celebrates the LORD's kingship, holiness, and righteous judgment, beckoning all creation to worship Him in light of His unparalleled greatness and just rule.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 99:2 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. Parallelism is prominently featured in the two clauses, "The LORD is great in Zion" and "he is high above all the people." While not strictly synonymous, they function as a synthetic or complementary parallelism, presenting two distinct yet harmonious facets of God's nature – His immanence (His greatness manifested in His chosen dwelling) and His transcendence (His supreme exaltation over all creation). This dual perspective offers a holistic and comprehensive understanding of God's multifaceted majesty. The phrase "high above all the people" also functions as a form of hyperbole or exaggeration, powerfully emphasizing the absolute and incomparable nature of God's sovereignty. Furthermore, the explicit mention of Zion serves as a potent symbol for God's covenant presence, His holy dwelling, and the earthly center of His kingdom, while "all the people" represents the universal and boundless scope of His dominion, creating a vivid and impactful contrast that underscores the vastness and totality of His reign.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse beautifully encapsulates the inherent tension and profound harmony between God's immanence and transcendence, a central and recurring theme woven throughout the entire biblical narrative. He is the God who graciously chooses to dwell among His people, making Himself intimately known and accessible in a specific, sacred place (Zion), yet He simultaneously remains utterly distinct, infinitely exalted, and sovereign over all creation. This dual truth reveals a God who is both intimately involved in human history and infinitely beyond human comprehension. It underscores His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises while unequivocally asserting His universal authority, thereby ensuring that His reign is not limited by human boundaries, earthly kingdoms, or any created power. This profound understanding fosters both deep reverence and profound intimacy, inviting worship for a God who is both near enough to hear our most whispered prayers and powerful enough to orchestrate the vast cosmos with perfect wisdom and control.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Recognizing that the LORD is "great in Zion" reminds us of His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His profound desire to be intimately present with His people. For believers today, Zion is not merely a historical physical location but a vibrant spiritual reality—the dwelling place of God in the hearts of His redeemed people and in the gathered community of the church. This profound truth encourages us to earnestly seek His presence, to worship Him in spirit and truth, and to find profound comfort and strength in His nearness amidst life's inevitable challenges and uncertainties. Simultaneously, His being "high above all the people" offers a source of profound security and unwavering hope. It means that no earthly power, no human agenda, no global crisis, and no personal adversity can ultimately thwart or derail His sovereign plan. This truth calls us to trust implicitly in His ultimate control, to surrender our anxieties and fears to His infinitely capable hands, and to live lives that authentically reflect His holy character, knowing with certainty that He is supremely worthy of all praise and adoration, for His greatness is unsearchable and His dominion absolute. It challenges us to align our lives daily with His righteous rule, living as faithful citizens of His eternal and unshakable kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of "Zion" in this verse, and how does it relate to God's universal reign?
Answer: "Zion" is deeply significant as it refers to Jerusalem, specifically the Temple Mount. It represents God's chosen earthly dwelling place, the center of His covenant relationship with Israel, and the sacred place from which His law and salvation would ultimately go forth to the nations (see Isaiah 2:3). While God's greatness is powerfully manifested in Zion, this does not in any way limit His infinite power or boundless authority. The verse immediately balances this immanent presence with the declaration that He is "high above all the people," signifying His transcendent, universal dominion over all humanity and creation. Thus, Zion serves as the focal point of His particular covenant with Israel, yet simultaneously as the earthly base from which His boundless, global sovereignty is proclaimed to the entire world.
How can God be described as both "in Zion" and "high above all the people" simultaneously?
Answer: This verse beautifully articulates a core theological paradox that is central to biblical understanding: God's immanence and transcendence. His immanence means He is actively present and intimately involved within His creation, particularly with His people in Zion, demonstrating His covenant faithfulness, accessible presence, and loving care. His transcendence, conversely, means He is utterly distinct from and infinitely superior to His creation, existing in a realm of absolute holiness, perfect wisdom, and supreme authority, "high above" all earthly limitations, human comprehension, and created things. These are not contradictory but rather complementary and essential aspects of God's infinite nature. He is both intimately near to His people, dwelling among them, and infinitely supreme over all things, revealing His incomprehensible majesty and multifaceted character.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 99:2, with its powerful declaration of the LORD's greatness in Zion and His exaltation above all people, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the incarnate God, the very embodiment of God's presence "in Zion" during His earthly ministry in Jerusalem, where He taught with divine authority, healed the sick, and ultimately offered Himself as the perfect, atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. Just as God's glory once dwelt in the Temple on Zion, so the fullness of God dwelt bodily in Christ (Colossians 2:9). Following His triumphant resurrection, Christ ascended to heaven, becoming eternally "high above all the people," enthroned at the right hand of God, where He now exercises universal lordship and supreme authority over all creation, every principality and power (Philippians 2:9-11). The spiritual reality of Zion is now found in the Church, which is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone, a holy temple and a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:20-22). Believers, through Christ, have spiritually come to the heavenly Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless angels in joyful assembly (Hebrews 12:22-24), where the great and high King reigns eternally, forever worthy of all praise and adoration.