Psalm 99: Exalting the Lord Because of His Justice

"The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned

upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!" Psalm 99:1

Psalm 99 is all about exalting the Lord because of his justice. In a chaotic and unjust world, the only peace that we can truly find is in a God who has promised to judge the entire world rightly, with every scale weighed perfectly and in balance. This psalm seeks to call for praise to the very God who does this, the very God who is our only hope because he will judge rightly when all other human kings do not.

The psalm starts out by calling for the "peoples" to "tremble" before the Lord. This word "tremble" is the first word that the psalmist uses to call for worship of the Lord, and it is followed by commands to praise, exalt, and worship the Lord in the following verses. As already stated, all of these words refer to our worship of a God who is just, but let us take a moment to speak of each of their nuances. To "tremble" is the outcome of "fearing" the Lord, not in terror, but in reverence. To "praise" is to lift up in song or to give worth to. To "exalt" is to lift up or to raise high. To "worship" is to give worth, to adore, and to love. We surely ought to do all of these towards a God who is perfectly just, holy, and righteous.

However, what does the Lord's justice all have to do with us? Well, we see what it has to do with us by examining what it had to do with Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. These three biblical figures were men like us, each with their own sin and failures. Yet, "they called to the Lord, and he answered them." Furthermore, God was a "forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings" all because "they kept his testimonies." In other words, because these three men were followers of God, the Lord did not condemn them, but rather answered their calls when they called out to him. Did this excuse their sin? Yes, in reference to grace, but no, in reference to consequence, as the psalm clearly points out that although they were forgiven, God was an avenger of their wrongdoings. Through all of these words, let us realize, because God is just, he answers the prayers of his people, for he must, because it is in accordance with his holy name.

So, do you praise God for his holiness? Do you worship him for his justice? Furthermore, do you call out to him because he is just, and promises to answer you when you call? Child of God, do not fear to call out to him today. By the blood of Jesus, your sins have been righteously atoned for, and you have a way to call out to the Living God. Do not neglect such a priviledge this morning. Run to the Lord, and in his justice he will deliver you if you are truly his child.