Psalm 99:1-4

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:1

The Lord reigneth (see the comment on Psalms 93:1 ). Let the people tremble; literally, the peoples; i.e. all the nations upon earth. He sitteth between the cherubim; rather, he hath his seat upon the cherubim (comp. Psalms 80:2 ). The imagery is taken from the internal economy of the Jewish temple, where the Shechinah was enthroned above the cherubic forms that overshadowed and guarded the ark. Let the earth be moved; or, quake (comp. Psalms 114:7 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:1

The permanency of God's reign. "He sitteth between the cherubim." Jennings and Lowe render, "Jehovah has become King, the peoples tremble; (even) he that sits upon the cherubim, the earth shakes." There is a designed contrast. The peoples tremble, the king is established firm; the earth shakes, the throne of the king is steady and unmoved. The figure of God as sitting on the cherubim is difficult, because we cannot be quite sure of the ideas Israelites had of the position and relations... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:1-9

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:1-9

The holy God infinitely worthy of our worship. I. BECAUSE OF HIS UNIVERSAL SUPREMACY . ( Psalms 99:1-3 .) His power exercised for the ends of goodness. "He is great in Zion," the most beneficent institution. II. BECAUSE HE RULES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RIGHT AND TRUTH . ( Psalms 99:4 , Psalms 99:5 .) He is setting up throughout the world righteous order, establishing the dominion of right and justice. III. BECAUSE HE HEARS AND ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:2

The Lord is great in Zion. Primarily great among his faithful ones, among whom his greatness is especially shown. And he is high above all the people (or rather, peoples ) . Secondarily great, or "high," among the nations which do not acknowledge him, but are forced to tremble before him (see Psalms 99:1 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:3

Let them praise thy great and terrible Name. Even the Gentiles, after conversion, will praise the Lord, sing of him, and bless his Name. (On the "greatness" and "terribleness" of God, see Exodus 15:11 ; Deuteronomy 7:21 ; Deuteronomy 10:17 ; Nehemiah 1:5 ; Nehemiah 4:14 ; Psalms 68:35 , etc.) For it is holy; rather, holy is he. This may be a suggestion to those about to praise God—a putting of words into their mouth; or it may be an almost involuntary outburst of praise on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:3

The holiness of God. Revised Version, "Holy is he." The refrain of the psalm is found in these words. Possibly it was given as a response by the congregation. What is prominent here, however, is not the purity that is in holiness, as the majesty that is in it, the severity that is in it. The psalmist is full of the "greatness" and the "terribleness" of the Divine Name, and this makes him say it is reverend, it is awe inspiring. It is one of the serious evils of our day, that the more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:4

The King's strength also loveth judgment. "The king" is here the Lord, Jehovah (see Psalms 98:3 ). His "strength," or might, "loves," and is always combined with, right (comp. Isaiah 61:8 , "I the Lord love judgment"). Thou dost establish equity. The pronoun is emphatic: "Thou, even thou"—nearly equivalent to "thou only"—"dost establish equity." Thou —again emphatic—"thou, even thou"— executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob ; i.e. governest thy people Israel with strict... read more

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