--- title: "Clarke" description: "The Hebrew and Chaldee have no title; all the versions but the Chaldee attribute it to David. The Syriac says it concerns \"the slaughter of the Midianites" image: "/images/missing.jpg" url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms/99" --- The *Hebrew* and *Chaldee* have no *title*; all the *versions* but the *Chaldee* attribute it to *David*. The *Syriac* says it concerns "the slaughter of the Midianites which Moses and the children of Israel had taken captive; and is a prophecy concerning the glory of the kingdom of Christ." But the mention of *Samuel* shows that it cannot be referred to the time of *Moses*. *Calmet* thinks that it was sung at the dedication of the city, or of the second temple, after the return from the Babylonish captivity. Eight of *Kennicott's* and *De Rossi's* MSS. join it to the preceding psalm. Verse [Psalms 99:1](../../../kjv/psalms/99/1). ***The Lord reigneth*** — [Psalms 97:1](../../../kjv/psalms/97/1). ***Let the people tremble*** — He will establish his kingdom in spite of his enemies; let those who oppose him tremble for the consequences. ***He sitteth*****between*****the cherubims*** — This is in reference to the *ark*, at each end of which was a cherub of glory; and the *shechinah*, or symbol of the Divine Presence, appeared on the lid of the ark, called also the *mercy-seat*, between the cherubim. *Sitting between the cherubim* implies God's *graciousness* and *mercy*. While then, in his reign, he was terrible to sinners, he is on the *throne of grace* to all who fear, love, and obey him. Though this *symbol* were not in the *second temple*, yet the Divine Being might very well be thus denominated, because it had become one of his titles, he having thus appeared under the *tabernacle* and *first temple*. Verse [Psalms 99:2](../../../kjv/psalms/99/2). ***The Lord*****is*****great in Zion*** — It is among his own worshippers that he has manifested his *power* and *glory* in an especial manner. *There* he is known, and *there* he is worthily magnified. Verse [Psalms 99:3](../../../kjv/psalms/99/3). ***Let them praise thy great and terrible name*** — Let them confess thee to be great and terrible: let them tremble before thee. **For*****it*****is*****holy.*** — קדוש הוא *kadosh hu*. As this not only ends this verse but the *fifth* also, and in effect the *ninth*, it seems to be a species of *chorus* which was sung in a very solemn manner at the conclusion of each of these parts. His *holiness*-the immaculate purity of his nature, was the reason why he should be exalted, praised, and worshipped. Verse [Psalms 99:4](../../../kjv/psalms/99/4). ***The king's strength*** — If this Psalm were written by David, he must mean by it that he was God's *vicegerent* or *deputy*, and that, even as king, God was *his strength*, and the *pattern* according to which equity, judgment, and righteousness should be executed in Jacob. Verse [Psalms 99:5](../../../kjv/psalms/99/5). ***Worship at his footstool*** — Probably meaning the *ark* on which the Divine glory was manifested. Sometimes the *earth* is called God's *footstool*, [Matthew 5:35](../../../kjv/matthew/5/35); [Isaiah 66:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/66/1); sometimes *Jerusalem*; sometimes the *temple*, [Lamentations 2:1](../../../kjv/lamentations/2/1); sometimes the *tabernacle*, [Psalms 32:7](../../../kjv/psalms/32/7); and sometimes the *ark*, [1 Chronicles 28:2](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/28/2). The Israelites, when they worshipped, turned their faces toward the *ark*, because that was the place where was the symbol of the Divine Presence. **For*****he*****is*****holy.*** — The burden chanted by the *chorus*. Verse [Psalms 99:6](../../../kjv/psalms/99/6). ***Moses and Aaron*** — As Moses and Aaron among the priests, and as Samuel among the prophets, worshipped God in humility, gratitude, and the spirit of obedience, and received the strongest tokens of the Divine favour; so worship ye the Lord, that he may bless, support, and save you. Moses was properly the priest of the Hebrews before Aaron and his family were appointed to that office. Verse [Psalms 99:7](../../../kjv/psalms/99/7). ***He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar*** — That is, he directed all their operations, marchings, and encampments by this cloudy pillar. See [Exodus 33:9](../../../kjv/exodus/33/9). ***They kept his testimonies*** — Do ye the same, and God will be *your* portion as he was *theirs*. Verse [Psalms 99:8](../../../kjv/psalms/99/8). ***Thou - forgavest them*** — When the people had sinned, and wrath was about to descend on them, Moses and Aaron interceded for them, and they were not destroyed. ***Tookest vengeance of their inventions.*** — God spared them, but showed his displeasure at their misdoings. He chastised, but did not consume them. This is amply proved in the history of this people. Verse [Psalms 99:9](../../../kjv/psalms/99/9). ***Worship at his holy hill*** — Worship him *publicly* in the *temple*. ***For the Lord our God*****is*****holy.*** — The words of the *chorus*; as in the *third* and *fifth* verses. There are *two* parts in this Psalm: - I. A description of the kingdom of God. 1. From the *majesty* and *terror* of it against his enemies, [Psalms 99:1-3](../../../kjv/psalms/99/1-3). 2. From its *equity* in the execution of *judgment* and *justice*, [Psalms 99:4](../../../kjv/psalms/99/4). 3. From his *patience* and *clemency* in giving audience to his servants, [Psalms 99:6-8](../../../kjv/psalms/99/6-8). II. A demand of praise and honour of all that acknowledge him for their King, begun at the *third* verse, repeated at the *fifth*, and continued in the *last*. The Psalm contains a prophecy of the kingdom of Christ, and its glory. I. 1. The terror, power, and majesty of this kingdom: "The Lord reigneth." 1. He bids defiance to his enemies: "Let the people tremble." 2. "He sitteth between the cherubim." He is always present with his people; they need not fear, though *the earth be* *moved*. 3. "He is great in Zion." More potent and higher than all people. 4. "His name is great and terrible." His *enemies* have every thing to *fear*, while his *friends* have every thing to *hope*. 2. The psalmist describes this kingdom, from its *justice* and *equity*. 1. "He loveth judgment." This is one of his perfections. 2. "He establishes equity." Gives just and equal laws to all. 3. "He executes judgment in Jacob." None of his followers shall live without law; they are obedient children, living according to his will. 4. And therefore he requires them to *exalt and adore* him. 5. They are to *worship at his foot-stool* - all their approaches are to be made in the *deepest reverence*, with the *truest self-abasement*. 6. "For he is holy;" and he requires all his followers to be holy also. 3. He describes it from the *mercy* and *clemency* of the ruler. 1. He showed his mercy and *kindness* to *Moses, Aaron*, and *Samuel*, as intercessors for the people. "They called upon God," for themselves and for the people; "and he answered them." 1. See the intercession of *Moses*, [Exodus 32:31](../../../kjv/exodus/32/31); 2. Of *Aaron*, [Numbers 16:46-48](../../../kjv/numbers/16/46-48). 3. Of *Samuel*, [1 Samuel 7:5](../../../kjv/1-samuel/7/5); [1 Samuel 7:9-10](../../../kjv/1-samuel/7/9-10). 4. He spake to *Moses*, [Exodus 33:8-9](../../../kjv/exodus/33/8-9); [Exodus 33:11](../../../kjv/exodus/33/11); and to *Aaron*, [Numbers 12:5-8](../../../kjv/numbers/12/5-8). And now he adds the *reason* why he heard them: - 1. "They kept his testimonies." Those precepts that were common to all others. 2. "And the ordinances that he gave them." As public persons who were to rule in Church and state. And that it was a great mercy that the Lord heard them, the prophet acknowledges by this *apostrophe* - 1. "Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God." Which the history shows. 2. "Thou forgavest them;" that is, the *people* for whom they prayed: for in Hebrew the *relative* is often put without an *antecedent*. 3. "Thou tookest vengeance of their inventions." The *golden calf* was broken to pieces, [Exodus 32:20](../../../kjv/exodus/32/20); and the *false gods* were put away [1 Samuel 7:3-4](../../../kjv/1-samuel/7/3-4). The people were not consumed, though their sin was in a certain manner visited upon them. See [Numbers 14:23](../../../kjv/numbers/14/23); [Numbers 14:30](../../../kjv/numbers/14/30); [Numbers 20:12](../../../kjv/numbers/20/12). II. The psalmist concludes with a *demand of praise* to this kind God. 1. "Exalt the Lord." Show that he is high, holy, just, good, and kind. 2. "Worship at his holy hill." Attend his public worship, and show a godly example in this way to all others. He who is indifferent about the *public worship* of God is generally not less so in *private devotion*. 3. The reason for all this is: "The Lord our God is holy." He requires this worship because it is a chief *means* by which he communicates *his holiness* to his followers. Without this holiness there is no happiness here, and without it none shall ever see God. 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