Psalms 99:6

ยถ Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.

Moses {H4872} and Aaron {H175} among his priests {H3548}, and Samuel {H8050} among them that call {H7121} upon his name {H8034}; they called {H7121} upon the LORD {H3068}, and he answered {H6030} them.

Moshe and Aharon among his cohanim and Sh'mu'el among those who call on his name called on ADONAI, and he answered them.

Moses and Aaron were among His priests; Samuel was among those who called on His name. They called to the LORD and He answered.

Moses and Aaron among his priests, And Samuel among them that call upon his name; They called upon Jehovah, and he answered them.

Commentary

Psalms 99:6 celebrates God's responsiveness to the prayers of His faithful servants, particularly highlighting three pivotal figures in Israel's history: Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. It underscores the powerful truth that when God's people call upon Him, He answers.

Context

Psalm 99 is a hymn of praise that extols the Lord's majesty, holiness, and righteous reign. It portrays God as King, enthroned above the cherubim, who loves justice and establishes equity in Jacob. The broader context emphasizes God's holiness and supreme reign, and how He is both just in judgment and merciful in hearing the prayers of His people. Verse 6 specifically points to historical examples of this divine responsiveness.

Key Themes

  • Divine Responsiveness to Prayer: The core message is that God hears and answers those who genuinely seek Him. The phrase "they called upon the LORD, and he answered them" serves as a powerful testament to God's attentiveness to His people's cries.
  • Exemplary Intercessors: Moses, Aaron, and Samuel are presented as models of prayer and intercession. They were leaders who stood between God and the people, often pleading on Israel's behalf. Their lives demonstrate the privilege and power of calling upon God's name.
  • God's Holiness and Justice: While God is holy and just, requiring reverence and obedience (as seen throughout Psalm 99), He also graciously responds to the humble and earnest prayers of His chosen ones, even when they have sinned.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "called upon" is qara (ืงึธืจึธื), which means to cry out, invoke, or proclaim. It implies a fervent, often urgent, appeal to God. The word for "answered" is anah (ืขึธื ึธื”), meaning to respond, testify, or give attention to. This indicates not merely hearing, but a definite, often favorable, response from the Lord.

Historical and Cultural Context

The inclusion of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel is significant because they represent different facets of spiritual leadership and intercession in Israel:

  • Moses: The great lawgiver, prophet, and leader who frequently interceded for Israel, notably after the golden calf incident (Exodus 32:11-14) and during the wilderness wanderings (Numbers 14:13-20). He had a unique, direct relationship with God.
  • Aaron: The first High Priest, whose role was to mediate between God and the people through sacrifices and prayers. He represented the people before God and God to the people, officiating in the tabernacle according to divine command (Leviticus 8).
  • Samuel: A transitional figure who served as a prophet, judge, and anointer of kings. He was known for his powerful intercession, as seen when he prayed for Israel against the Philistines, leading to a great victory (1 Samuel 7:9-10) and also affirmed his commitment to pray for the people (1 Samuel 12:23).

These figures exemplify a consistent pattern of God hearing and responding to the prayers of His chosen leaders throughout Israel's history.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that the God of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel is still the same God who hears and answers prayer. Just as He responded to their earnest cries, He is attentive to our petitions. This should inspire confidence and persistence in our own prayer lives, knowing that God is both holy and merciful, ready to respond to those who call upon Him in truth. Our prayers, like those of these ancient figures, can be a vital channel for God's work in the world and in our lives, as He desires us to call upon Him and be answered.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 15:1

    ยถ Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, [yet] my mind [could] not [be] toward this people: cast [them] out of my sight, and let them go forth.

  • Exodus 24:6

    And Moses took half of the blood, and put [it] in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.

  • Exodus 24:8

    And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled [it] on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

  • Exodus 15:25

    And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, [which] when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

  • Exodus 14:15

    ยถ And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

  • 1 Samuel 7:9

    And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered [it for] a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.

  • 1 Samuel 7:12

    Then Samuel took a stone, and set [it] between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.
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