Meditation

In today's concluding verses of Psalm 99, the focus shifts from God’s holiness in His rule and justice to His relationship with His people through intercession, forgiveness, and worship.

The verses are packed with references to Moses, Aaron, and Samuel to highlight God's history of faithfulness in answering prayers and vivid imagery, such as the "pillar of the cloud," to dramatize his holiness

With the tension between God's forgiveness and justice;

"you were to Israel a forgiving God,
though you punished their misdeeds"

...and between the awe and fear-inspiring, yet relational nature of His holiness, the psalm builds to its climactic and characteristic call to worship

The Lord our God is holy.

Holiness is awe-inspiring and merciful.

Today's text is Psalm 99:6-9. Today's verses are in black, and yesterday's verses are in grey for context, and catch up if needed.

Psalm 99

¹ The Lord reigns,
let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim,
let the earth shake.
​² Great is the Lord in Zion;
he is exalted over all the nations.
​³ Let them praise your great and awesome name—
he is holy.

⁴ The King is mighty, he loves justice—
you have established equity;
in Jacob you have done
what is just and right.
​⁵ Exalt the Lord our God
and worship at his footstool;
he is holy.

⁶ Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel was among those who called on his name;
they called on the Lord
and he answered them.
​⁷ He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud;
they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.

⁸ Lord our God,
you answered them;
you were to Israel a forgiving God,
though you punished their misdeeds.
​⁹ Exalt the Lord our God
and worship at his holy mountain,
for the Lord our God is holy.

Encouragement

"God’s holiness appears in His forgiving sin and yet taking vengeance on inventions; for though He spares the sinner, He will not spare the sin. Thus, He keeps His people in awe, yet encourages them to hope in His mercy."

Matthew Henry. Commentary on the Whole Bible

As a companion to this week's series, I can't recommend Sproul's masterclass on the "Holiness Of God" enough. Available free on YouTube.​

Andy

God’s Word In Your Hand