Psalms 99:9

Verse 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.

ANALYSIS OF THE NINETY-NINTH PSALM

There are two parts in this Psalm: -

I. A description of the kingdom of God.

1. From the majesty and terror of it against his enemies, Psalms 99:1.

2. From its equity in the execution of judgment and justice, Psalms 99:4.

3. From his patience and clemency in giving audience to his servants, Psalms 99:6.

II. A demand of praise and honour of all that acknowledge him for their King, begun at the third verse, repeated at the fifth, and continued in the last. The Psalm contains a prophecy of the kingdom of Christ, and its glory.

I. 1. The terror, power, and majesty of this kingdom: "The Lord reigneth." 1. He bids defiance to his enemies: "Let the people tremble." 2. "He sitteth between the cherubim." He is always present with his people; they need not fear, though the earth be moved. 3. "He is great in Zion." More potent and higher than all people. 4. "His name is great and terrible." His enemies have every thing to fear, while his friends have every thing to hope.

2. The psalmist describes this kingdom, from its justice and equity. 1. "He loveth judgment." This is one of his perfections. 2. "He establishes equity." Gives just and equal laws to all. 3. "He executes judgment in Jacob." None of his followers shall live without law; they are obedient children, living according to his will. 4. And therefore he requires them to exalt and adore him. 5. They are to worship at his foot-stool - all their approaches are to be made in the deepest reverence, with the truest self-abasement. 6. "For he is holy;" and he requires all his followers to be holy also.

3. He describes it from the mercy and clemency of the ruler. 1. He showed his mercy and kindness to Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, as intercessors for the people. "They called upon God," for themselves and for the people; "and he answered them." 1. See the intercession of Moses, Exodus 32:31; 2. Of Aaron, Numbers 16:46-4. 3. Of Samuel, 1 Samuel 7:5; 1 Samuel 7:9. 4. He spake to Moses, Exodus 33:8-2; Exodus 33:11; and to Aaron, Numbers 12:5-4.

And now he adds the reason why he heard them: -

1. "They kept his testimonies." Those precepts that were common to all others.

2. "And the ordinances that he gave them." As public persons who were to rule in Church and state.

And that it was a great mercy that the Lord heard them, the prophet acknowledges by this apostrophe -

1. "Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God." Which the history shows.

2. "Thou forgavest them;" that is, the people for whom they prayed: for in Hebrew the relative is often put without an antecedent.

3. "Thou tookest vengeance of their inventions." The golden calf was broken to pieces, Exodus 32:20; and the false gods were put away 1 Samuel 7:3. The people were not consumed, though their sin was in a certain manner visited upon them. See Numbers 14:23; Numbers 14:30; Numbers 20:12.

II. The psalmist concludes with a demand of praise to this kind God.

1. "Exalt the Lord." Show that he is high, holy, just, good, and kind.

2. "Worship at his holy hill." Attend his public worship, and show a godly example in this way to all others. He who is indifferent about the public worship of God is generally not less so in private devotion.

3. The reason for all this is: "The Lord our God is holy." He requires this worship because it is a chief means by which he communicates his holiness to his followers. Without this holiness there is no happiness here, and without it none shall ever see God. Get holiness, that you may get happiness here, and heaven hereafter.