Psalm 99
The Lord Reigns
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Intro:
Psalm 99 extols the Lord's kingly reign and His holiness. In the context of the New Covenant, it points to the kingship of Christ and the call for all believers to recognize His holy authority.
Section 1: The Reign and Majesty of God (Verses 1-3)
"The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake! The Lord is great in Zion, and He is exalted above all the peoples. Let them praise Your great and awesome name; Holy is He."
Harmony
The reign and majesty of God are echoed in Revelation 19:16, where Jesus is referred to as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
Talking Points:
Acknowledgement of God's reign over all creation.
The magnificence and majesty of God.
The holiness of God as a cause for praise.
Questions:
How does recognizing the reign of God affect our lives?
How can understanding the greatness and majesty of God influence our daily actions and decisions?
What does the holiness of God mean to you, and how does it inform your understanding of God?
Section 2: The Justice and Righteousness of God (Verses 4-5)
"The strength of the King loves justice; You have established equity; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool; Holy is He."
Harmony
God's love for justice and righteousness is reiterated in 2 Timothy 4:8, where it is affirmed that there is a crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous judge, will award.
Talking Points:
God as a King who loves justice.
The establishment and execution of justice and righteousness by God.
The call to exalt and worship the Lord.
Questions:
What does it mean to know that we serve a God who loves justice?
How does God's establishment and execution of justice and righteousness provide assurance for believers?
How can we respond in worship and adoration to a God who is just and righteous?
Section 3: God's Faithful Interactions with His People (Verses 6-9)
"Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel was among those who called on His name; they called upon the Lord and He answered them. He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; He kept His testimonies and the statutes that He gave them. O Lord our God, You answered them; You were a forgiving God to them, and yet an avenger of their evil deeds. Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His holy hill, for the Lord our God is holy."
Harmony
God's interactions with His people, His faithfulness in answering prayer, and His forgiveness are reflected in Hebrews 4:16, which encourages believers to approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Talking Points:
God's relationship with His servants.
God's responsiveness and forgiveness.
The call to exalt and worship God for His faithfulness.
Questions:
How does understanding God's relationship with His servants, such as Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, deepen our own relationship with Him?
What does God's responsiveness and forgiveness mean for us as His people today?
How can we respond in worship to God's faithfulness?
Summary:
Psalm 99:1-9 reverently acknowledges the reign, justice, and faithfulness of the Lord.
In the light of the New Covenant, these themes find echoes in the acknowledgment of Jesus Christ's kingship (Revelation 19:16), God's righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8), and His faithfulness and mercy (Hebrews 4:16).
The Psalm encourages believers to recognize the sovereignty and holiness of Christ, to trust in His justice, and to find comfort in His faithfulness, thus deepening their faith and commitment to God.