Psalm 99:1-2 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 99:1-5

The foundation of all religion is laid in this truth, That the Lord reigns. God governs the world by his providence, governs the church by his grace, and both by his Son. We are to believe not only that the Lord lives, but that the Lord reigns. This is the triumph of the Christian church, and here it was the triumph of the Jewish church, that Jehovah was their King; and hence it is inferred, Let the people tremble, that is, 1. Let even the subjects of this kingdom tremble; for the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 99:1

The Lord reigneth ,.... The King Messiah, he is made and declared Lord and Christ; he has reigned, does reign, and ever will; see Psalm 93:1 , let the people tremble : with awe of his majesty, and reverence of his word and ordinances; rejoicing before him with trembling, as his own people and subjects do, Psalm 2:11 , and so it agrees with Psalm 97:1 , or it may be understood of the people that are enemies to Christ, who would not have him to reign, though he shall whether they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 99:2

The Lord is great in Zion ,.... Where the temple stood, and into which Christ came as the proprietor of it, and gave it a greater glory by his presence than the first temple had; here he preached his doctrines, wrought many of his miracles; here he poured forth the Spirit on his apostles; and from hence went forth his Gospel into all the world: or in Zion, that is, in his church, and among his people; here he grants his gracious presence, and bestows the blessings of his goodness; and shows... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:1

The Lord reigneth - See the note on Psalm 97:1 . Let the people tremble - He will establish his kingdom in spite of his enemies; let those who oppose him tremble for the consequences. He sitteth between the cherubims - This is in reference to the ark, at each end of which was a cherub of glory; and the shechinah, or symbol of the Divine Presence, appeared on the lid of the ark, called also the mercy-seat, between the cherubim. Sitting between the cherubim implies God's graciousness... read more

Adam Clarke

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:1

Verse 1 1Jehovah reigns The people, who were formerly called upon to rejoice, are now commanded to tremble. For as the Jews were encompassed by enemies, it was of the utmost importance that God’s power should be magnified among them, that they might know that, while under his guardianship, they would be constantly and completely safe from the hatred and fury of every foe. The Hebrew word רגז, ragaz, as we have elsewhere seen, sometimes signifies to tremble, at other times, to be angry, and, in... 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

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.

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 99:1-5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 99:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 99:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:1

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 99:1

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 99:1-9

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