Psalm 99: “He Is Holy, Therefore...”
Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill”
This psalm is a proclamation from God Himself, through His inspired poet. It presents His claims on the subject of His holiness. Let us reverently read Psalm 99 while meditating on the holiness of our God.
The LORD reigns;
Let the peoples tremble!
He dwells between the cherubim;
Let the earth be moved!
The LORD is great in Zion,
And He is high above all the peoples.
Let them praise Your great and awesome name--He is holy.
The King's strength also loves justice;
You have established equity;
You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
Exalt the LORD our God,
And worship at His footstool--He is holy.
Moses and Aaron were among His priests,
And Samuel was among those who called upon His name;
They called upon the LORD, and He answered them.
He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar;
They kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them.
You answered them, O LORD our God;
You were to them God-Who-Forgives,
Though You took vengeance on their deeds.
Exalt the LORD our God,
And worship at His holy hill;
For the LORD our God is holy. (NKJV)
The holiness of God is brought before the reader in this psalm from three angles. In verses 1-3, the lesson is, “As Jehovah, He is holy.” In verses 4,5, the lesson is, “As King, He is holy.” In verses 6-9, the lesson is, “Among His priests, He is holy.” Each section ends with a statement about the holiness of Jehovah as it relates to His name (v.3), His nature (v.5). and His deity (v.9).
With the above outline in mind, let us learn from the poem in a verse-by-verse lesson.
Verse 1: In this verse, the Lord does two things: He reigns, and He dwells. He reigns; therefore, the people should tremble! He dwells—in a certain majestic place—therefore, the earth should tremble (quiver)!
Verse 2: In this verse, the Lord is great (majestic), above all people. He is supreme.
Verse 3: In this verse, the Lord’s name is brought before us as the Name that deserves to be praised as great and awesome. All of the things in these three verses are brought together in the ending phrase: “It (His name) is holy.” (KJV) He is holy; therefore, His name is holy.
Verse 4: In this verse, His characteristics as a holy King are laid before us. These points are crucial, for they help us to understand what kind of a King He is. He is “keenly set on justice” (Berkeley), He established equity, and He executes and guarantees justice and righteousness in His dealings with the people.
Verse 5: In this verse, we are invited and encouraged to present ourselves at His footstool to exalt Him and worship Him—for He is holy.
Verse 6: In this verse, the theme of His holiness expands to His relationships with those who have served Him as priests. Moses, Aaron, and Samuel are named as examples. Do not forget that Christians are identified as God’s priests today (1 Peter 2: 5-9). And as God answered the priests of old when they called on Him, so He will answer us under the provisions of the new covenant of Jesus Christ, our great high priest.
Verse 7: In this verse, we are reminded of the stories in the history of God’s dealings with those faithful priests. He spoke to them, they responded in harmony with His will, and good things resulted.
Verse 8: In this verse, the nature of this Holy One is revealed as involving His ability to answer, forgive, and punish. He wants to answer, He desires to forgive, and He will punish. Knowing all of this is essential if we are going to understand how serious it is to live in a holy way before Him!
Verse 9: In this verse, the application of the poet is given. Let all who learn of the holiness of the “God-Who-Forgives” approach Him in humble thankfulness. Let us worship “at his holy hill.”
Since there are no other “gods,” it ought to be obvious that He is the only One Who is holy! But if anyone thinks that there is another “God,” let him compare such with Jehovah! If anyone thinks that Jehovah is not holy, let him examine the claims of Psalm 99 (and the rest of the Bible)!
And let the examination be conducted honestly, for then all who search will find, and all who find will come before the Holy One in thankful surrender (Matthew 7:7-11).
We invite your questions and comments about the need to learn about and obey the will of the One True God (John 5:39; Acts 17:11).
— Skip Andrews
Next Time:
Psalm 100:
“How Shall We Come Before Him”
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Where Are We Putting the
Emphasis?
We have sold ourselves the idea that if we can possess a washing machine, a television set, an electric razor, electric blanket, refrigerator, automobile, and the gadgets we have developed, we will have a happy and abundant life. So, we set out to buy ourselves into happiness. Many people have swapped God for gadgets. We have failed to develop ourselves inside. But, one day some crisis will develop.
We can’t meet a crisis with a Cadillac. We can’t heal a broken heart with a refrigerator. We can’t clean a guilty conscience with a vacuum cleaner. When vast numbers of people come face to face with deep human need, they have nothing with which to face it. In our rush to get things money can buy, we have failed to build within our lives the things money can’t buy!
For the abundant life, see John 10:10.
— Adapted
SICK LIST:
Glenda Rodney is doing well following surgery last week. Theresa
Heilman had a severe allergic reaction to a steroid injection for her shoulder
(injured in a car accident several months ago—she is still having major
problems with the ability to use her arm). Isabell Oliver is having
problems with her knee. Sharon Kendrick is having back trouble.
Linda Hill has been ill. Brenda Rutherford’s Mother and Father are
both in failing health. Let’s remember those who are ill and their
families in our prayers.
PLANTATION SOUTH: Group 3 is in charge of the services
today at 1:30.
This month Thomas Reid will be speaking each week.
FOR THE RECORD:
AM Class
142
AM Worship
174
PM Worship
130
Wednesday Class 118
Contribution
$5386
Budget
$5150
MARCH 17: Ed Crookshank will preach Sunday morning. The video, “What Is Happening to the Church?” will be shown in the evening. (Skip and Helen will be in Campbellsville, Kentucky, for a meeting).
BUILDING CLEANING: Please check out the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the foyer—we need six good cleaners!!
LAWN MOWING: There is a schedule on the bulletin board in the foyer for our lawn mowing chores this summer. Please check this out.
LADIES’ RETREAT: The retreat for the adult ladies will be Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13, at the Boazes’ lake house in South Carolina. Please sign up on the list on the bulletin board if you can attend.
PLACED MEMBERSHIP: We are so happy to welcome two new families
to the family at Duluth: Bob and Ginny Knox and Kevin and Pam Graves—and
Brandyn and Jordyn.
VOLUME 4:7 MARCH 17, 2002