Psalms 99
Big idea: Three times the psalm stops and says the same thing: He is Holy. It is the only psalm structured around that word, and holiness here is not distance — the King's strength also loves justice; you execute justice and righteousness in Jacob. Then it names three men who called and were answered: Moses, Aaron, Samuel. And the description of God's response is the most balanced sentence in Book IV: you were a God who forgave them, although you took vengeance for their doings.
Psalm 99 ends at the holy hill. Psalm 100 walks through its gates with thanksgiving.
99:1–9 — He is Holy
Three times this psalm says 'he is holy', and the third time it explains what that has meant in practice. Holiness here is not distance — it is a king whose strength LOVES justice, and who answered Moses, Aaron and Samuel when they called. And verse 8 holds the hardest sentence: he forgave them, ALTHOUGH he took vengeance for their doings. Both, about the same people.
1 Yahweh reigns! Let the peoples tremble. He sits enthroned among the cherubim. Let the earth be moved. 2 Yahweh is great in Zion. He is high above all the peoples. 3 Let them praise your great and awesome name. He is Holy! 4 The King’s strength also loves justice. You establish equity. You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob. 5 Exalt Yahweh our God. Worship at his footstool. He is Holy! 6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who call on his name. They called on Yahweh, and he answered them. 7 He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud. They kept his testimonies, the statute that he gave them. 8 You answered them, Yahweh our God. You are a God who forgave them, although you took vengeance for their doings. 9 Exalt Yahweh, our God. Worship at his holy hill, for Yahweh, our God, is holy!
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).