Psalm 99:2-9 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:2

The Lord is great in Zion - It is among his own worshippers that he has manifested his power and glory in an especial manner. There he is known, and there he is worthily magnified. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:3

Let them praise thy great and terrible name - Let them confess thee to be great and terrible: let them tremble before thee. For it is holy - הוא קדוש kadosh hu . As this not only ends this verse but the fifth also, and in effect the ninth, it seems to be a species of chorus which was sung in a very solemn manner at the conclusion of each of these parts. His holiness - the immaculate purity of his nature, was the reason why he should be exalted, praised, and worshipped. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:4

The king's strength - If this Psalm were written by David, he must mean by it that he was God's vicegerent or deputy, and that, even as king, God was his strength, and the pattern according to which equity, judgment, and righteousness should be executed in Jacob. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:5

Worship at his footstool - Probably meaning the ark on which the Divine glory was manifested. Sometimes the earth is called God's footstool, Matthew 5:35 ; Isaiah 66:1 ; sometimes Jerusalem; sometimes the temple, Lamentations 2:1 ; sometimes the tabernacle, Psalm 32:7 ; and sometimes the ark, 1 Chronicles 28:2 . The Israelites, when they worshipped, turned their faces toward the ark, because that was the place where was the symbol of the Divine Presence. For he is holy - The... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:6

Moses and Aaron - As Moses and Aaron among the priests, and as Samuel among the prophets, worshipped God in humility, gratitude, and the spirit of obedience, and received the strongest tokens of the Divine favor; so worship ye the Lord, that he may bless, support, and save you. Moses was properly the priest of the Hebrews before Aaron and his family were appointed to that office. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:7

He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar - That is, he directed all their operations, marchings, and encampments by this cloudy pillar. See Exodus 33:9 . They kept his testimonies - Do ye the same, and God will be your portion as he was theirs. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:8

Thou - forgavest them - When the people had sinned, and wrath was about to descend on them, Moses and Aaron interceded for them, and they were not destroyed. Tookest vengeance of their inventions - God spared them, but showed his displeasure at their misdoings. He chastised, but did not consume them. This is amply proved in the history of this people. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:9

Worship at his holy hill - Worship him publicly in the temple. For the Lord our God is holy - The words of the chorus; as in the third and fifth verses. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:2

Verse 2 2Jehovah in Zion It is proper that we should not forget the antithesis I formerly mentioned, namely, that God is great in Zion to destroy and annihilate all the enemies of his Church; and that, when the Psalmist goes on to say, he is high above all nations, his meaning is, not that he presides over them to promote their welfare, but to disconcert their counsels, to baffle their designs, and to subvert all their power. That which immediately follows about the praising of God’s name,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:4

Verse 4 4The king’s strength also loves judgment This may be viewed as a threatening designed to fill his enemies with dismay; as if he should say, such is God’s regard for righteousness and equity, that he hath clothed himself with power to avenge the injuries which his enemies have done to him. I think it preferable, however, to apply it to the Church, because she is under the government of God for the express purpose (116) of practicing righteousness and holiness. There is another... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:4

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