Psalm 99

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:5

Our place at God's footstool. "And worship at his footstool;" "Worship at his holy hill;" "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?" ( Isaiah 66:1 ). To understand this figure two things must be considered: Eastern thrones were high erections, so that the king, seated in his place, might be exalted (see expression in psalm) high above the people. The seat was reached by a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:6

Moses and Aaron among his priests . Moses, though not called a priest in the Pentateuch, performed many priestly acts, such as sprinkling the blood of the covenant at Mount Sinai ( Exodus 24:6-8 ), setting in order the tabernacle ( Exodus 40:18-33 ), consecrating Aaron and his sons (Le Psalms 8:6 -30), interceding for the people ( Exodus 32:30-32 ; Numbers 14:13-19 ), etc. He is therefore, not improperly, here included among God's priests. And Samuel among them that call upon... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:6

Samuel. The venerable figure of Samuel forms the living link between two great and very diverse stages in the history of ancient Israel. He was the last of the judges ( Acts 13:29 ), he was the first of the prophets ( Acts 3:24 ). Not that there were no prophets between Moses and Samuel ( 4:4 ; 1 Samuel 2:27 ), but from his time the prophetic gift and office took that leading place which belonged to it down to the days of Malachi. As judge, Samuel's administration brought to a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:6

Model worshippers. The reason for recalling these three worshippers belonging to the olden times, and these three only, does not immediately appear. And it is singular to find both Moses and Aaron classed as priests. Probably, before the appointment of the Levitical priesthood, Moses had been the priest as well as leader of the people. The thought appears to be that men may now call upon and worship God with the assured confidence that he receives worship and answers prayers even as he has... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:7

He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar (see Exodus 33:9 , "And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door.; and the Lord talked with Moses"). They kept his testimonies , and the ordinance that he gave them. Moses was known as "the servant of the Lord" ( Deuteronomy 34:5 ; Joshua 1:1 , Joshua 1:2 , etc.). He was "faithful in all his house, as a servant" ( Hebrews 3:5 ). Aaron was "the saint of the Lord" ( Psalms... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:8

Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God (comp. Psalms 99:6 , ad fin. ) . Thou wast a God that forgavest them; literally, a forgiving God wast thou to them. Both Moses and Aaron "angered God at the waters of strife" ( Psalms 106:32 ; Numbers 20:12 , Numbers 20:13 ). Aaron angered him still more by sanctioning the idolatry of the golden calf ( Exodus 32:1-24 ). God pardoned both of them these and other sins, but not without inflicting punishment for the sins. Though thou... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:8

Forgiveness consistent with vengeance. This is a strange statement, but it is what this verse and numerous others and many facts beside clearly declare. Therefore, that we may the better understand this apparent contradiction, consider— I. THE MEANING OF THE TERMS EMPLOYED . There are three: 1 . " Thou answeredst them ." That is, answered their prayers for forgiveness of the people. Moses, Aaron, Samuel, had each this in common—that once and again they were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:8

The Answerer of the worshipful. "Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God." It is prayer as worship which is here more especially dealt with. God responds to man's homage. The context brings the following points before us. I. GOD MADE KNOWN HIS CLAIM TO HOMAGE AND WORSHIP . See Psalms 99:7 , "He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar." The cloudy pillar being regarded as the emblem of God's miraculous interpositions and various revelations, God declared himself to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:8

The limitations of Divine forgiveness. The "inventions" here are simply "doings;" but the word seems to imply "self-willed doings." So we read, "God made man upright; but he has sought out many inventions." There is no allusion to "scientific discoveries." When we read the passages in which Divine forgiveness seems so absolutely assured, it is necessary that we bear in mind how the Divine forgiveness may be absolute in the Divine purpose, yet must be limited in Divine application. We can... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:9

Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill. Repeated from Psalms 99:5 , with the slight variation that "his holy hill" is substituted for "his footstool"—Zion, on which the temple stood, for the sanctuary of the temple itself. For the Lord our God is holy; rather, for holy is the Lord our God (comp. Psalms 99:3 and Psalms 99:5 ). read more

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