“The Lord reigns, the peoples tremble;
He sits enthroned above the cherubim, the earth quakes.
The Lord is great in Zion,
And He is exalted above all the peoples.”

“May they praise Your great and awesome name;
Holy is He.
The strength of the King loves justice;
You have established order;
You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.”

“Exalt the Lord our God
And worship at His footstool;
Holy is He.”

God’s Righteous Rule and Intimacy with Leaders

“Moses and Aaron were among His priests,
And Samuel was among those who called on His name;
They called upon the Lord and He answered them.”

“He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud;
They kept His testimonies
And the statute that He gave them.”

“Lord our God, You answered them;
You were a forgiving God to them,
And yet an avenger of their evil deeds.”

“Exalt the Lord our God
And worship at His holy hill,
For holy is the Lord our God.”

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Context and Meaning

Psalm 99 is the final “The Lord reigns” psalm (93–99), and it exalts God’s holiness, justice, and faithfulness. It highlights both God’s majestic reign and His nearness to those who seek Him, using historical leaders like Moses, Aaron, and Samuel as examples.

It blends fearful awe with intimate worship, reminding us that the Lord is both infinitely exalted and deeply personal.

Key Themes:

1. The Lord Reigns in Holiness: His majesty causes trembling—He is holy and just (v. 1–5).
2. Justice Is Central to His Reign: God’s throne is built on righteousness and equity (v. 4).
3. God Answers His People: He responded to faithful leaders and forgave them, even as He disciplined (v. 6–8).
4. Holiness Demands Reverent Worship: The call to “Exalt the Lord” appears twice—bracketing the psalm (v. 5, 9).

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 99 helps us recover a sense of holy reverence in our relationship with God:

• God’s Holiness Is Not Casual: He is exalted above all—we must approach with awe and reverence.
• Justice Is Not Optional in God’s Kingdom: His rule is not arbitrary—it is perfectly just and good.
• God Welcomes Those Who Call on Him: The same God who reigns in holiness speaks to His people and forgives.
• Holiness Fuels Worship: The repeated call to exalt the Lord flows from a recognition of His unmatched purity.

Application

• Worship God with Reverence: Approach His presence with awe, not just comfort—He is holy.
• Pursue Justice in Your Life: Reflect the God you worship by loving and doing what is right.
• Call Upon Him in Faith: Like Moses and Samuel, seek God persistently and trust Him to answer.
• Exalt the Lord Daily: Let your life be shaped by worship—lift Him high in word and deed.

Closing Thought

Psalm 99 anchors our worship in God’s holiness, justice, and nearness.
“Exalt the Lord our God… for holy is the Lord our God.”