33. The Believer’s Privilege, Psalm 99
Hymns: RHC 221 When We See Christ 8 Holy, Holy, Holy 323 Trust and Obey
PSALM 99
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. 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. 5 Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. 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. 7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them. 8 Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions. 9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.
THE BELIEVER’S PRIVILEGE
OUTLINE
(1) Fear Him (v1-2)
(a) For He rules
(2) Praise His Name (v3-4)
(a) For He is judges righteously
(3) Exalt and Worship Him (v5,9)
(a) For He is holy
(4) Call upon Him (v6)
(a) For He will answer
(5) Obey Him (v7)
(a) For He reveals His will
(6) Confess to Him (v8)
(a) For He forgives
INTRODUCTION
This psalm teaches us the believer’s filial response to God’s sovereign rule in our lives. The overarching thought is the covenantal relationship that the psalmist has with his LORD and thus the privilege that comes with that relationship. The attributes of God are categorically stated with the highlight on the rightful responses. Is this your habit in life?
(1) Fear Him (v1-2)
(a) For He is rules
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.
The truth revealed by the psalmist is that God is in control of His creation. It must strike filial fear to all His children especially when there is a tendency to think that we can live outside His reign.
Cherubim are guardians of God’s holiness lest sinful man by his presumptuousness usurp God’s rule. We see this in the Genesis 3:22 “And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his h. and, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever.” The fallen man rebels and seeks to usurp the rule of His Creator God.
Zion is holy mount of God where He rules ancient Israel. It is symbolic of God’s rule from His throne. He is high above His people. Only God is great! Think carefully as we consider our wretchedness, who can deliver us from this body of death?
(2) Praise Him (v3-4)
(a) For He judges righteously
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.
God’s people are the subject of verse 3, the “them.” They are called to praise the awesome, the “great and terrible” name of God that strikes terror to all who sinned against His holy laws. The word “strength” alludes to God’s overwhelming power. H has the ability to not only mete out judgment but to do so with fairness, uprightness, justness or impartiality. He is the just Judge of all judges! “Righteousness” – God’s attribute as sovereign, administering justice (BDB). It must afford praise to all who suffer injustice like the importunate widow who pleads for justice from the unjust judge and receives it (Luke 18:1-8). It must also bring praise to all sinners who receive their just reward. God meting out justice in the midst of His people called Jacob, the usurper, the sinner. It brings solace and praise because God chastises His people out of love.
(3) Exalt and Worship Him (v5,9)
(a) For He is holy
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.
The words to “exalt” and “worship” has the added intensity of the imperative signifying urgency! Be eager to lift up His name and worship before Him in lowliness. Footstool is used to rest the legs. It conjures up the image of paying total homage for His creatures cannot stand before His infinite holiness because of their sins. It shows their unworthiness and yet God’s acceptance of such worship. We truly cannot bring anything acceptable to Him but our whole-hearted devotion. This should be the way we approach Him.
(4) Call upon Him (v6)
(a) For He will answer
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.
Moses and Aaron and Samuel represented the people before God. They were chosen of God as His priests. They were intercessors for God’s people. God answers 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.
Remember the prayer of Samuel 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 by raising the Philistines. It was only when Israel repented that God stayed His hand and delivered them. James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
(5) Obey Him (v7-8)
- For He reveals His Will
7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
The cloudy pillar displays the glory of God and describes His presence with His people. The people were obedient to His laws. His laws are the divine testimonies of His charges (BDB). Ordinances are the enactments of the law, prescriptions for its use (BDB).
God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and light to our paths. There safety and security in obedience to God’s revealed will in His Word.
(6) Confess to Him (v8)
- For He forgives
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 to Him our sins, He is faithful to forgive us. He chastises for our sins but He also restores us back to Him when we humble ourselves in contrition of heart.
CONCLUSION
May the LORD help us to fully appropriate the storehouses 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 reigns over us.