Psalms 99:2

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

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

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

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

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

Psalms 99:2 (KJV): "The LORD [is] great in Zion; and he [is] high above all the people."

Context

Psalm 99 is one of the "enthronement psalms," a series of hymns (Psalms 93, 95-99) that celebrate the LORD's reign as King. This particular psalm emphasizes God's universal sovereignty, His holiness, and His just rule. It calls all creation to acknowledge His supreme authority, especially from His dwelling place in Zion. The verse sets the stage for a psalm that repeatedly stresses God's holiness and righteousness, often with the refrain, "Holy is he."

Key Themes

  • God's Supreme Greatness: The verse immediately declares the LORD's immense power, majesty, and authority. He is not merely powerful, but "great," signifying His unparalleled nature and boundless capabilities.
  • Divine Presence in Zion: Zion, often synonymous with Jerusalem, represents God's holy mountain and the chosen place where He established His presence among His people, where His temple stood, and from where His law emanated. This highlights God's particular relationship with Israel while maintaining His universal reign.
  • Universal Dominion and Exaltation: While great "in Zion," the verse also asserts that He is "high above all the people." This signifies His supreme authority over all nations, all humanity, and all creation. His rule is not confined to one place but extends globally, asserting His universal dominion and absolute sovereignty.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "great" is gadol (גָּדוֹל), which conveys a sense of vastness, importance, and power. It emphasizes God's magnificent and incomparable nature.
  • "High" comes from the Hebrew term ram (רָם), meaning exalted, lifted up, or supreme. It speaks to God's elevated status and ultimate authority over all things, highlighting His transcendence.
  • "Zion" (צִיּוֹן) is a deeply significant theological and geographical term in the Old Testament, representing God's holy city, the center of worship, and the place of His covenant presence.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful call to worship and reverence. 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, whether in a physical temple or in the hearts of believers. His being "high above all the people" offers profound comfort in the knowledge that He is ultimately in control of all circumstances, nations, and human affairs, regardless of earthly chaos or shifting powers. It encourages believers to place their trust in His sovereign plan and to live lives that reflect His holy character, acknowledging that He is worthy of all praise and adoration, as Psalm 145:3 also proclaims His unsearchable greatness.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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