Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 24 & Psalms 98, 99
Psalms 98 and 100 are
both joyful and glad songs expressing thanksgiving to Yahweh for His love and
faithfulness. In stark contrast to these two songs (and sandwiched right
between them) is Psalm 99 which emphasizes Yahweh’s holiness and demands that
we tremble in His holy presence.
Psalm 99 begins
with, “The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!” The Hebrew
word for tremble used here is a verb which means to be agitated, quiver, quake, disturbed. In our present
day lingo, we might say "shaking in his boots" to reflect the literal
quivering and trembling presented here. Because our God is holy and omnipotent,
it would be a grave mistake for people to take Him lightly or casually. The
very presence of God should cause a great disturbance in peoples’ spirits as
they come to understand how unholy and unworthy they are to even stand before
Him.
The
Psalm falls into three parts, each one concluding with a declaration of God’s
holiness. Verses 1-3 emphasize Yahweh’s future position when He returns to
earth – He reigns over all the earth. He sits on his throne between the
cherubim. The Lord sits in majesty in Jerusalem,
exalted above all the nations. Because of His position, the people must praise
His great and awesome name. His name is holy! He is the King of kings and Lord
of lords!
Verses 4-6 emphasize
Yahweh’s justice and fairness. He has acted with justice and righteousness
throughout Israel. He makes no mistakes in His judgments, but acts with
uncontaminated integrity. Because of this untainted righteousness and justice,
the people must exalt the Lord our
God! Bow low before his feet, for he is holy!
Verses 7-9 emphasize
Yahweh’s punishment for sin and His forgiveness available to all who come to
Him. To those who go wrong and reject His lovingkindness, God’s punishment
awaits. Alternatively, He is an infinitely forgiving God to those who choose to
follow Him. Because of this, people must not take Him lightly or casually, but
must come before Him in deep awe of His greatness and holiness. Tremble in His
presence. Shake in your boots at the very thought of how unholy you are
compared to His flawless holiness and purity.
Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his
holy mountain; for the Lord our
God is holy!
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