Lord’s Day, Vol. 5 No. 07

The Believer’s Privilege

(Psalm 99)

This psalm speaks of the covenantal relationship that God’s people have with their LORD and thus the privilege that comes with that relationship. This relationship is built upon God’s holiness (v3, 5, 9) and His sovereign rule over His people (v1). God is holy and has made us accepted through His Son. What privilege!

(1) Fear Him (v1-2)

1 The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. 2 The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.

Filial fear is the rightful response of His children before the thrice holy God. No man could stand His wrath. He sits between the two cherubims or angels. It is called the mercy seat (Exodus 25:17-22). There, our prayers are heard and our salvation is granted. Zion was the holy mount of God where He ruled ancient Israel. It is symbolic of God’s rule from His throne. He is high above His people. Who can deliver us if God does not make a way for us?

(2) Praise Him (v3-4)

3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy. 4 The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.

He judges righteously. He is the Judge of all judges, administering true justice. God’s people are called to praise the “great and terrible” name of God that strikes terror to all who sin against His holy laws. With God ruling as the King of kings, there is order.

The word “strength” alludes to God’s power, his ability to not only mete out judgment but to do so with fairness, uprightness, and impartiality. God meting out justice in the midst of His people called Jacob, the usurper, the sinner, most undeserving but yet chosen and made holy!

(3) Exalt and Worship Him (v5,9)

5 Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy… 9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.

Exalt and praise Him for He is holy and has made us holy that we may stand accepted.

The words to “exalt” and “worship” have the added intensity of the imperative signifying urgency! Be eager to lift up His name and worship before Him. A footstool is used to rest the legs. It conjures up the image of paying total homage to God. We are to be whole-hearted in our devotion. This should be the way we approach Him.

(4) Call upon Him (v6)

6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.

Call upon Him for He will answer you. Moses and Aaron and Samuel represented God’s people before their God. They were chosen of God as His priests. They were intercessors for God’s people. God answered their prayers. Moses and Aaron interceded for Israel countless times and the Lord hearkened to their cry through the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.

Samuel prayed for Israel when the Philistines attacked Israel.

1 Samuel 7:9 “And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.”

Israel had gone wayward and God judged Israel through the Philistines. It was only when Israel repented that God stayed His hand and delivered them. Thank God for private and corporate prayers where God’s people intercede one for another.

(5) Obey Him (v7)

7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.

The cloudy pillar displayed the glory of God and described His presence with His people. The people were obedient to His laws. Ordinances are the enactments of the law, prescriptions for its use (BDB). God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths (Psalm 119:105). There is safety and security in obeying God’s revealed will in His Word.

 (6) Confess to Him (v8)

8 Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.

When we confess our sins to God, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (1 John 1:9). God chastises us when we sin, as a father would discipline his children, out of His love for us. He also restores us when we humble ourselves in contrition of heart to come back to Him.

CONCLUSION

May the LORD help us to fully appropriate the storehouse of His provision for our earthly sojourn. Learning to fear Him, praise Him, exalt and worship Him, call upon Him, obey Him and confess to Him. This is how we can make right with our sovereign God as He reigns over us.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee