Psalms 99:8 - Exposition

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 tookest vengeance of their inventions. God's "severity" extended even to these blessed saints, Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. The former two were expressly excluded from the land of promise for their conduct at Meribah ( Numbers 20:12 ); and Samuel's judgeship seems to have been brought to an end through his undue leniency towards his sons Joel and Abiah ( 1 Samuel 8:1-5 ).