Psalm 99

The Lord reigns
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Text
Explanation
This psalm emphasizes the sovereignty of Yahweh and repeats the messages of psalms 98 and 97.
.1 ¶ The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.   The Lord reigneth The keynote of two other psalms. ps093, ps097.
  People tremble At the Lord's kingship is6402.
  Between the cherubims See ps08001. His place of honor as the shekinah glory between the angels of the ark ex2522 and in the immediate context v6 (The word "Cherubim" is plural without the "s.")
  Earth moved ps07718, ps11407. This matches the trembling of the people.
 2 The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.
.3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
  Great in Zion ps4801f.
  People Should read "peoples" or nations.
  Terrible name See ps11109.
  It is holy May also read "He is holy" which seems to harmonize better with verses 5 and 9.
 4 The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.   The king's strength This might better have been part of verse 3. Then we have "He is holy and strong, a king loving justice." This would be Yahweh (Jehovah) from v1.
.5 Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.   Exalt The first of two strong commands.
  Footstool A position of humility. Also is6601 mentions the earth as His footstool. With this understanding note the parallel with Mount Zion as a symbol of heaven.
.6 ¶ Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
 7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
  6 - Moses and Aaron Above the priests.
  6 - Samuel among [believers] Indicating his place of honor. See on v1 and so0203.
  7 - Cloudy pillar See ex3309, nu1205.
 8 Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.   Inventions Or "actions."
 9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.   Exalt the Lord Compare with verse 5.
  Holy hill Mount Zion.
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The Lord Reigns
Parallel literary pattern
The Lord among the cherubim; the people tremble Moses and Aaron among priests; the people pray
Let them praise His name They call on the name of the Lord
The king's strength; He loves justice He answered, took vengeance, and forgave
He makes righteousness They kept His testimonies
Exalt the Lord, worship at his footstool, He is holy Exalt the Lord, worship at his holy hill, He is holy