Psalms 99:2

KJV

The LORD [is] great in Zion; and he [is] high above all the people.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} is great {H1419} in Zion {H6726}; and he is high {H7311} above all the people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI is great in Tziyon; he is high above all the peoples.

Berean Standard Bible

Great is the LORD in Zion; He is exalted above all the peoples.

American Standard Version

Jehovah is great in Zion; And he is high above all the peoples.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 99:2 proclaims the majestic dual nature of God: 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 sets the stage for a psalm that celebrates the LORD's kingship, holiness, and righteous judgment, calling all creation to worship Him in light of His unparalleled greatness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 99 belongs to a distinct collection often referred to as the "enthronement psalms" (Psalms 93, 95-99), which celebrate the LORD's universal reign as King. This psalm, in particular, emphasizes God's holiness, justice, and the awe-inspiring nature of His rule. It is structured around a recurring refrain, "Holy is he," or "Holy is the LORD our God," underscoring the central attribute of the divine King. Verse 2 serves as an opening declaration of the LORD's supreme authority and presence, establishing the foundation for the subsequent calls to worship and descriptions of His righteous governance. It immediately positions God as both intimately present in His chosen sanctuary and universally sovereign over all creation, a theme further developed throughout [Psalm 99](/psalms/99 "Psalm 99 - The LORD Reigns from Zion").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** "Zion" in this context refers to Jerusalem, specifically the Temple Mount, which was the spiritual and political heart of ancient Israel. It was the place where the Ark of the Covenant resided and where God's presence was uniquely manifested among His covenant people. The construction of the Temple by Solomon (see [1 Kings 6](/1_kings/6 "1 Kings 6 - Solomon Builds the Temple")) solidified Zion's role as the earthly dwelling place of the LORD. Culturally, this emphasis on God's presence in Zion contrasted sharply with the localized, often territorial, deities of surrounding pagan nations. While God chose to dwell in Zion, His declaration of being "high above all the people" simultaneously asserts His universal dominion, extending His authority beyond Israel to encompass all nations and peoples, challenging any notion of a limited or nationalistic deity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several profound themes central to the psalm and broader Old Testament theology. Firstly, it highlights **God's Supreme Greatness and Sovereignty**, declaring His unparalleled power and authority not only within Israel but over all humanity. Secondly, it emphasizes **Divine Presence (Immanence)** through the mention of "Zion," signifying God's covenant faithfulness and His desire to dwell among His people, making Himself accessible. This concept is foundational to Israel's identity as God's chosen nation, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 12:5](/deuteronomy/12-5 "Deuteronomy 12:5 - God Chooses a Dwelling Place"). Thirdly, the phrase "high above all the people" underscores **Divine Transcendence**, asserting God's absolute otherness and His ultimate authority that transcends all earthly boundaries and human limitations. This dual emphasis on immanence and transcendence is a hallmark of biblical theology, revealing a God who is both intimately near and infinitely supreme, a theme echoed in [Psalm 97:9](/psalms/97-9 "Psalm 97:9 - The LORD is Exalted Above All Gods").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Great (Hebrew, גָּדוֹל, _gadol'_):** This adjective signifies vastness, importance, and power. When applied to the LORD, it conveys His incomparable majesty, infinite might, and boundless nature. It implies that His attributes and actions are beyond human measure or comprehension, establishing Him as the supreme and ultimate being.
* **Zion (Hebrew, צִיּוֹן, _tsiyyon'_):** A deeply significant theological and geographical term, Zion refers to the fortified hill in Jerusalem, which became synonymous with the city itself, especially as the site of the Temple. It represents God's holy mountain, the center of worship, the place of His covenant presence, and the source from which His law and salvation would emanate.
* **High (Hebrew, רָם, _ram'_):** This word denotes being exalted, lifted up, or supreme. It speaks to God's elevated status, His ultimate authority, and His transcendence over all creation. It emphasizes His position of absolute dominion and sovereign rule, far above any earthly power or human ruler.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD [is] great in Zion":** This clause declares God's manifest power and majesty within His chosen dwelling place, Jerusalem. It speaks to His immanent presence, His active involvement in the affairs of His covenant people, and the display of His glory and might from His holy sanctuary. It highlights that His greatness is not merely abstract but tangibly experienced and revealed where His people gather to worship Him.
* **"and he [is] high above all the people":** This clause asserts God's transcendent sovereignty and universal dominion. While great *in* Zion, His authority is not confined to one location or one nation. He reigns supreme over all humanity, all nations, and all creation. This emphasizes His absolute authority, His ultimate control over all circumstances, and His unparalleled status as the King of the universe, distinct from and superior to all earthly powers.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. **Parallelism** is evident 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 facets of God's nature – His immanence (greatness in His chosen dwelling) and His transcendence (supreme exaltation over all creation). This dual perspective offers a holistic view of God's majesty. The phrase "high above all the people" also serves as a form of **hyperbole** or **exaggeration** to emphasize the absolute and incomparable nature of God's sovereignty. Furthermore, the mention of **Zion** functions as a **symbol** for God's covenant presence and the center of His earthly kingdom, while "all the people" represents the universal scope of His dominion, creating a vivid contrast that underscores the vastness of His reign.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse beautifully encapsulates the tension and harmony between God's immanence and transcendence, a central theme throughout the biblical narrative. He is the God who chooses to dwell among His people, making Himself known and accessible in a specific 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 faithfulness to His covenant promises while asserting His universal authority, ensuring that His reign is not limited by human boundaries or earthly kingdoms. This understanding fosters both reverence and intimacy, inviting worship for a God who is both near enough to hear our prayers and powerful enough to orchestrate the cosmos.

* [Psalm 97:9](/psalms/97-9 "Psalm 97:9 - The LORD is Exalted Above All Gods")
* [Isaiah 6:1](/isaiah/6-1 "Isaiah 6:1 - God's Exalted Throne")
* [1 Kings 8:27](/1_kings/8-27 "1 Kings 8:27 - God Transcends Heaven and Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Recognizing that the LORD is "great in Zion" reminds us of His faithfulness to His covenant promises and His desire to be present with His people. For believers today, Zion is not merely a physical location but a spiritual reality—the dwelling place of God in the hearts of His people and in the gathered church. This truth encourages us to seek His presence, to worship Him in spirit and truth, and to find comfort in His nearness amidst life's challenges. Simultaneously, His being "high above all the people" offers profound security and hope. It means that no earthly power, no human agenda, and no global crisis can ultimately thwart His sovereign plan. This truth calls us to trust in His ultimate control, to surrender our anxieties to His capable hands, and to live lives that reflect His holy character, knowing that He is worthy of all praise and adoration, for His greatness is unsearchable and His dominion absolute. It challenges us to align our lives with His righteous rule, living as citizens of His eternal kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's greatness in Zion (His presence among His people) impact your personal worship and sense of belonging in the community of faith?**
* **In what ways does God's transcendence ("high above all the people") provide comfort or challenge your perspective on global events and personal difficulties?**
* **How can we live out the truth of God's universal sovereignty in a world often marked by chaos, injustice, and competing ideologies?**

### 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 place from which His law and salvation would ultimately go forth to the nations (see [Isaiah 2:3](/isaiah/2-3 "Isaiah 2:3 - The Law Goes Out from Zion")). While God's greatness is manifested *in* Zion, this does not limit His power or 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.

**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: God's **immanence** and **transcendence**. His immanence means He is actively present and involved within His creation, particularly with His people in Zion, demonstrating His covenant faithfulness and accessible presence. His transcendence means He is utterly distinct from and superior to His creation, existing in a realm of absolute holiness and authority, "high above" all earthly limitations and human comprehension. These are not contradictory but complementary aspects of God's infinite nature. He is both intimately near to His people and infinitely supreme over all things, revealing His incomprehensible majesty and multifaceted character.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 99:2, with its declaration of the LORD's greatness in Zion and His exaltation above all people, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the incarnate God, the very presence of God "in Zion" during His earthly ministry in Jerusalem, where He taught, healed, and ultimately offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice. Just as God's glory dwelt in the Temple on Zion, so the fullness of God dwelt bodily in Christ ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - The Fullness of God in Christ")). Following His resurrection, Christ ascended, becoming "high above all the people," enthroned at the right hand of God, where He now exercises universal lordship over all creation ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation and Universal Lordship")). The spiritual reality of Zion is now found in the Church, which is built upon the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone, a dwelling place for God by the Spirit ([Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - The Church as God's Dwelling")). Believers, through Christ, have come to the heavenly Mount Zion, the city of the living God ([Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22 "Hebrews 12:22-24 - Mount Zion, the City of the Living God")), where the great and high King reigns eternally.

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 97:9

For thou, LORD, [art] high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.

Isaiah 14:32

What shall [one] then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.

Isaiah 12:6

Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great [is] the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

Daniel 4:34

¶ And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom [is] from generation to generation:

Daniel 4:35

And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Psalms 113:4

The LORD [is] high above all nations, [and] his glory above the heavens.

Psalms 50:2

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.