God Reigns (Psalm 99:1-3)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR

6/27/2012 8:32:58 AM

My Worship Time                                                                     Focus:  Psalm 99 PT-1

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                      Reference:  Psalm 99:1-3

            Message of the verses:  In today’s Spiritual Diary we will begin looking at Psalm 99 by looking at several introductions from different Bible Commentators, and then begin to look at the psalm itself.

            “This may be called THE SANCTUS, or, THE HOLY, HOLY, HOLY PSALM, for the word "holy" is the conclusion and the refrain of its three main divisions. Its subject is the holiness of the divine government, the sanctity of the mediatorial reign. It seems to us to declare the holiness of Jehovah himself in #Ps 99:1-3; it mentions the equity of the king whom the Lord had appointed, as an illustration of the Lord’s love of holiness, or more probably it describes the Lord as himself the king, in #Ps 99:4-5, and it then sets forth the severely righteous character of God’s dealings with those favored persons whom in former times he had selected to approach him on behalf of the people, #Ps 99:6-9. It is a hymn fitted for the cherubim who surround the throne, who are mentioned in #Ps 99:1; it is a Psalm most fitting for saints who dwell in Zion, the holy city, and especially worthy to be reverently sung by all who, like David the king, Moses the lawgiver, Aaron the priest, or Samuel the seer, are honored to lead the church of God, and plead for her with her Lord.”  (Charles H. Spurgeon)

            “The theme of this psalm is summed up in its last phrase; ‘holy is the Lord our God’ (v. 9). The psalmist encourages praise to the king for His holiness (vv. 3, 5, 9), which is the utter separateness of God’s being from all other creatures and things, as well as His moral separateness from sin.  The psalmist also exults in the truth that such a holy God has had an intimate saving relationship with Israel throughout her history (vv. 6-9)”  (The John MacArthur Study Bible)

            “This is the sixth of the ‘royal psalms’ (93, 95-100), all of which magnify the sovereign rule of Jehovah the King.  Like 93 and 97, it opens with ‘The Lord reigns,’ and it emphasizes that Jehovah is exalted above all the nations (v. 2) and not just Israel.  The psalmist describes the throne of the Lord and encourages the people to exalt the Lord as they worship Him (vv. 5, 9).”  (Warren Wiersbe)

            An Awesome Throne (vv. 1-3):  “1 ¶  The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake! 2  The LORD is great in Zion, And He is exalted above all the peoples. 3  Let them praise Your great and awesome name; Holy is He.”

            When I was studying the attributes of God one of the authors that I was reading stated that the holiness of God was an attribute of God but it seems to stand above the others or it seemed to be the leading or head attribute of God.  As a human being who has studied the Bible for many years I find that the holiness of God is so great and high above any human that it is hard to imagine that God would even think about humans, and yet because of His love for us that He not only thinks about us but sent His One and only Son to die in our place so that we might spend eternity with Him to serve and adore Him.  Dr. Wiersbe points out that “The word ‘holy’ means ‘separate, set apart, totally different.’  God’s nature is ‘wholly other’ yet He was willing to dwell with His people and meet their needs.”

            We know from reading Scripture that not only did God dwell in heaven, but was also enthroned on the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies of the sanctuary on Mount Zion.  Both Isaiah and Ezekiel saw the throne of God in heaven and Moses knew about it too for it was Moses whom God used to build the tabernacle where God reigned.

            The psalm also speaks of the power of God as seen in verse one.  God surely is great in Zion, and not only that but one day all peoples will bow before the Lord, not just those in Israel.

            We will see the name LORD seven times in this psalm.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Knowing that the Lord reigns in heaven gives me great confidence that He is in charge of all that is going on today and everyday on earth.  Knowing that His Holy Spirit lives in me also gives me great confidence that He will lead me and guide me each day.

My Steps of Faith for Today:  To abide in the vine so that the Lord will teach me and guide me to do what He has planned for me to do from eternity past.  (Ephesians 2:10 and John 15)

Memory verses for the week:  2Peter 1:1-3:  1. Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:  2. Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3. seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 

6/27/2012 9:23:30 AM