INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 99 This psalm, with the foregoing from Psalms 90:1 is ascribed to Moses by Jarchi and others; but cannot be his, since mention is made of Samuel in it, who lived many years after him. The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, more rightly attribute... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD REIGNETH,.... The King Messiah, he is made and declared Lord and Christ; he has reigned, does reign, and ever will; see Psalms 93:1, LET THE PEOPLE TREMBLE: with awe of his majesty, and reverence of his word and ordinances; rejoicing before him with trembling, as his own people and subject... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD IS GREAT IN ZION,.... Where the temple stood, and into which Christ came as the proprietor of it, and gave it a greater glory by his presence than the first temple had; here he preached his doctrines, wrought many of his miracles; here he poured forth the Spirit on his apostles; and from he... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THEM PRAISE THY GREAT AND TERRIBLE NAME,.... All people, especially the Lord's people; those that dwell in Zion, where his name is great, in high esteem, venerable, and valued; as his name Jesus, or Saviour, is amiable and lovely to his saints; and his name, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, is te... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING'S STRENGTH ALSO LOVETH JUDGMENT,.... Or he who is a strong and mighty King, as Christ is; which appears by saving his people, and preserving them to his kingdom and glory, and by destroying all his and their enemies; but, though he is so potent and victorious a Prince, yet no tyrannical one... [ Continue Reading ]
EXALT YE THE LORD OUR GOD,.... Christ, who is Lord of all, and Immanuel, God with us, God in our nature, our Lord and our God; exalt him in his person, as God over all, blessed for ever; in his offices of Prophet, Priest, and King, by hearkening to his word, by trusting in his blood, righteousness,... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES AND AARON AMONG HIS PRIESTS,.... The priests of the Lord, called and appointed by him, that ministered to him in that office, were the priests of Christ, types of him, and ceased when he came: these were the chief among them, or of them, as Kimchi observes: Moses officiated as a priest before... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SPAKE UNTO THEM IN THE CLOUDY PILLAR,.... In the pillar of the clouds of glory, as the Targum; in which the Lord went before the children of Israel in the wilderness, to lead them, and protect them from heat in the day, Exodus 13:21, that is, he spake in this to Moses and Aaron; for it ceased whe... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU ANSWEREDST THEM, O LORD OUR GOD,.... This is repeated to show the certainty of it, and to encourage the people of God, in all ages, to pray unto him: THOU WAST A GOD THAT FORGAVEST THEM; even Moses, Aaron, and Samuel; for, though they were great and good men, they did not live without sin, and... [ Continue Reading ]
EXALT THE LORD OUR GOD,.... Having given the above instances of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, serving and worshipping the Lord, the psalmist repeats the exhortation in Psalms 99:5, which he enforces by their example; Psalms 99:5: AND WORSHIP AT HIS HOLY HILL; the holy hill of Zion, the church; attend t... [ Continue Reading ]