Psalm 99

 Psalm 99

This beautiful Psalm is so delightful to read that it is easy to enjoy it on the surface and fail to notice its powerful, majestic theme.  This Psalm is a wonderful point of meditation if, when we slowly say the Lord’s Prayer, we contemplate “hallowed be thy name.”  Worshiping God because of His holiness is expressed in three spheres.

While God revealed Himself to the Jews He is not just the God of the Jews, He is God over all. His special presence in Zion is an occasion for all people to honor and worship Him because “Holy is He.” (vs. 2-3)

His holiness or moral character is expressed in justice.  Justice is more than a ruling in court.  It also includes systems that are fair, that protect the weak and restrain the powerful.  Notice right treatment is closely linked; be at the “footstool” of God.  Noble ideals that are not connected to understanding God become second-hand ethics and will always spiral down into personal preference for our own ethics. Instead, we worship Him because “Holy is He.” (vs4-5)

Thankfully, God is not some distant deity but rather is here with us, interacting with us.  Verse 8 offers three powerful lines that every follower needs to remember.  God is involved in our lives.  First He answers us.  He is an active participant in our every day living.  Second God forgives us.  Were He completely retributive, we would all die with our first sin, but He is gracious to us. Third, at the same time, He chastises us for our misdeeds.  God’s discipline towards us is always corrective and not just punitive.  The last line of verse 9 returns to our theme, “For holy is the Lord our God.”  

Don’t read this psalm too fast and miss the power and the beauty it offers.  

“Thank you God for You. AMEN”