Psalm 99

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 99:1

(1) The Lord reigneth.—See Note, Psalms 93:1.Tremble.—LXX. and Vulg., “be angry.” The optative in this and the following clause is after the LXX.; but the Hebrew is in the ordinary present, the peoples tremble, the earth staggers.He sitteth.—In original a participle.Between the cherubims . . .—See Notes on Psalms 80:1. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 99:3

(3) Great and terrible name.—The rabbins see here the mystic tetragrammaton, whose pronunciation was kept so secret.For it is holy.—This is grammatically possible, but as Psalms 99:5; Psalms 99:9 repeat the expression, evidently as a refrain, and there it needs the masculine, it is better to read here, “Holy is He.”In this way, too, we avoid an awkward construction in the next verse, which should be joined closely with this: Let them praise Thy great and terrible name (saying), “Holy is He, and... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 99:5

(5) Worship at his footstool.—Prostrate your. selves at His footstool. The earth is called the “footstool” of God (Isaiah 66:1; comp. Matthew 5:35); in other places the expression is used of the sanctuary (Psalms 132:7; comp. Isaiah 60:13; Lamentations 2:1). In 1 Chronicles 28:2 it seems to refer to the ark. No doubt here, after mentioning the throne above the cherubims, we must think of the ground on which the ark stood, or of the ark itself. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 99:6

(6) Moses.—Better, a Moses and an Aaron among his friends, and a Samuel among them that call upon his name; calling upon the Lord, and he answers them; in the pillar of cloud he speaks unto them. The poet is enhancing the sacred character of the services of his own day by likening the priests and ministers to the sacred heroes of the past, as we might distinguish a period of great scientific achievement by saying, “We have a Newton or a Bacon among us.” To make it a mere historical reference,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 99:8

(8) Thou tookest vengeance of their inventions (or, works).—This does not refer to the personages just mentioned but to the people at large. The train of thought is as follows:—“There are great saints among us, as in olden time, but, as then, their prayers, while often procuring forgiveness, could not altogether avert punishment for sin; so the present community must expect retribution when sinful, in spite of the mediation of the better part of the nation.” The Hebrew style did not favour... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 99:1-9

The Relation of Severity to Pardon Psalms 99:8 I. There is a great confusion of thought on the subject of retribution. It is supposed that when a man suffers for his fault it indicates that God is angry with him. The notion is that God may forgive him after suffering his penalty, but that the receiving of the penalty implies Divine displeasure. The Psalmist's view is just the opposite. He says that in dealing with His people God forgave first and punished afterwards. 'Thou wast a God that... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 99:1-9

Psalms 99:1-9DELITZSCH has well called this psalm "an earthly echo of the seraphic Trisagion," the threefold proclamation of the Divine holiness, which Isaiah. {Isaiah 6:3} It is, as already noted, a pendant to Psalms 98:1-9, but is distinguished from the other psalms of this group by its greater originality, the absence of distinct allusion to the great act of deliverance celebrated in them. and its absorption in the one thought of the Divine holiness. Their theme is the event by which Jehovah... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 99:1-9

Psalms 99:0 The Reign of Righteousness 1. His throne (Psalms 99:1-3 ) 2. Judgment and righteousness executed (Psalms 99:4-6 ) 3. His gracious dealings (Psalms 99:7-9 ) It is a Psalm of the righteous government. The Lord who reigns is holy, demands obedience. He is holy and must be worshipped. Moses and Aaron were His priests in the past and Samuel among them that called upon His Name. He dealt graciously with His people in the past and forgave them, and the same Lord now reigneth and... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 99:1

99:1 The LORD reigneth; let the {a} people tremble: he sitteth [between] the cherubims; let the earth be moved.(a) When God delivers his Church all the enemies will have reason to tremble. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 99:3

99:3 Let them {b} praise thy great and terrible name; [for] it [is] holy.(b) Though the wicked rage against God, the godly will praise his Name and mighty power. read more

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 99:1

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 99:3

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 99:5

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 99:6

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 99:8

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 99:1-9

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 99:1-9

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 99:1-9

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 99:1

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 99:3

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