Psalms 99

Chapter Summary

Psalms 99 begins by declaring the Lord's reign over all the earth, with His holiness and glory being the foundation of His throne. The psalmist then recounts the history of God's interactions with His people, including the appearances of God to Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. The chapter emphasizes God's righteousness and justice, encouraging the people to worship and reverence Him. Key verses, such as Psalms 99:1-3 and Psalms 99:5, highlight the importance of acknowledging God's sovereignty and holiness. The chapter concludes by reaffirming God's exaltation and the need for believers to tremble before Him.

Context for the Chapter

Psalms 99 is part of the fifth book of Psalms, which focuses on God's reign and the coming Messiah. The chapter is situated within a collection of psalms that emphasize God's sovereignty, justice, and holiness. The larger biblical narrative reveals that God's reign and holiness are central themes throughout Scripture, with the ultimate fulfillment of these themes being seen in Christ's reign as King of kings. This chapter is also connected to the historical narrative of the Old Testament, referencing key figures and events in Israel's history.

Heart Application

As believers, we are called to reverence and worship God, recognizing His holiness and majesty. This chapter encourages us to tremble before Him, acknowledging His exaltation and sovereignty over all the earth. By applying the truths of this chapter to our lives, we can deepen our devotion to God and cultivate a greater sense of awe and reverence for His character.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

This chapter is about God's holiness and how He is above all nations. It reminds us to worship and reverence Him, and to tremble before His majesty. As seen in Psalms 99:1, God reigns over all the earth, and His holiness is the foundation of His throne. We are called to praise His great and awesome name, as stated in Psalms 99:3.

Voices from the Church

“The holiness of God is a truth that should fill our hearts with reverence and our lives with obedience.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The righteousness of God is the foundation of His throne, and it is this righteousness that we must acknowledge and worship.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. God's Reign and Holiness (Psalms 99:1-3) — The chapter begins by declaring God's reign over all the earth and emphasizing His holiness as the foundation of His throne.
2. Historical References (Psalms 99:6-8) — The psalmist references historical events and figures to demonstrate God's interactions with His people and emphasize His righteousness and justice.
3. Call to Worship (Psalms 99:5) — The chapter concludes with a call to worship and reverence God, encouraging believers to tremble before Him and acknowledge His exaltation.
4. God's Righteousness and Justice (Psalms 99:4) — The psalmist highlights God's righteousness and justice, demonstrating His faithfulness to His people and His commitment to upholding what is right.
5. Conclusion (Psalms 99:9) — The chapter concludes by reaffirming God's exaltation and encouraging believers to worship and reverence Him.

Core Doctrines

The Holiness of God

This chapter teaches that God's holiness is the foundation of His throne and the reason for believers' reverence and worship. As seen in Psalms 99:3, God's great and awesome name is holy.

The Sovereignty of God

The chapter emphasizes God's reign over all the earth, highlighting His sovereignty and dominion. This is seen in Psalms 99:1, where the psalmist declares God's reign.

The Righteousness of God

The psalmist highlights God's righteousness and justice, demonstrating His faithfulness to His people and His commitment to upholding what is right. This is seen in Psalms 99:4.

The Importance of Worship

The chapter encourages believers to worship and reverence God, recognizing His holiness and majesty. This is seen in Psalms 99:5, where the psalmist exhorts the people to worship at God's footstool.

Lessons from Psalms 99

1. The Importance of Reverence — The chapter teaches us the importance of revering and worshiping God, recognizing His holiness and majesty.
2. The Significance of History — The psalmist's use of historical references demonstrates the significance of remembering and learning from God's interactions with His people throughout history.
3. The Sovereignty of God — The chapter emphasizes God's reign over all the earth, highlighting His sovereignty and dominion.
4. The Righteousness of God — The psalmist highlights God's righteousness and justice, demonstrating His faithfulness to His people and His commitment to upholding what is right.
5. The Call to Worship — The chapter concludes with a call to worship and reverence God, encouraging believers to tremble before Him and acknowledge His exaltation.

Themes from Psalms 99

1. The Holiness of God — The chapter teaches that God's holiness is the foundation of His throne and the reason for believers' reverence and worship.
2. The Sovereignty of God — The chapter emphasizes God's reign over all the earth, highlighting His sovereignty and dominion.
3. The Righteousness of God — The psalmist highlights God's righteousness and justice, demonstrating His faithfulness to His people and His commitment to upholding what is right.
4. The Importance of Worship — The chapter encourages believers to worship and reverence God, recognizing His holiness and majesty.
5. The Exaltation of God — The chapter concludes by reaffirming God's exaltation and encouraging believers to tremble before Him.

Questions for Meditation

1. What does the chapter teach about God's holiness, and how should this impact our worship and reverence for Him?
2. How does the psalmist use historical references to demonstrate God's interactions with His people, and what can we learn from these examples?
3. What is the significance of God's reign over all the earth, and how should this truth shape our understanding of His sovereignty and dominion?
4. How does the chapter emphasize the importance of worship and reverence for God, and what practical applications can we make in our lives to deepen our devotion to Him?
5. What does the chapter teach about God's righteousness and justice, and how can we apply these truths to our lives and relationships?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Psalms 99

	Sermon	Description
	Attributes of God (Series 1): The Justice of God by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of a judge being caught between mercy and justice. He uses the example of a man torn between his love for a woman and his sense o
	(Exodus) Exodus 25:1-8 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the blueprint and construction of the tabernacle as described in the book of Exodus. The tabernacle was a place where the Israelites could app
	The Holy God by Charles Ryrie	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Moses and his disobedience to God. Despite Moses' plea to enter the promised land, God tells him that he will not be able to cros
	The Holiness of God - Part 1 by Art Katz	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a profound episode in the history of Ben Israel, emphasizing the transformative power of encountering the truth. He highlights the importanc
	(The Royal Psalms) Part 3 by Ed Miller	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the unchanging nature of God and His unwavering love and faithfulness towards His people. The sermon uses the analogy of a shepherd and his
	The Holy One of Israel by Bryan Anthony	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for the church to rediscover the holiness of God. He describes a vision of Isaiah in which he sees the Lord seated on a throne, sur
	Teach Us How to Worship by Shane Idleman	This sermon emphasizes the importance of true worship, highlighting the need to remove hindrances like spiritual pride, unforgiveness, and distractions that prevent heartfelt worsh
	Trembling at God's Righteousness by Joshua Daniel	This sermon focuses on the importance of not deferring obedience to God, using the example of Felix delaying his decision to follow Christ. It emphasizes the need for humility, rig
	Celebrating 30 Years at Zaventem April 1995 by George Verwer	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a past discussion with friends about their commitment to never leave each other. The speaker then transitions to discussing the importance o
	Fearful in Praises by G.W. North	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding the true meaning of the baptism in the Spirit. He explains that it is not just about receiving power for ser

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Psalms 99

Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms 99 highlights the importance of God's holiness and majesty, emphasizing the need for believers to reverence and worship Him. Henry notes that the chapter teaches us about God's sovereignty and dominion, highlighting His power and authority over all the earth. He also emphasizes the significance of historical references, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His people and His commitment to upholding what is right. Henry concludes by encouraging believers to worship and reverence God, recognizing His exaltation and majesty. As seen in Psalms 99:1-3, God's holiness is the foundation of His throne, and His reign is a call to worship and reverence Him. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?