Introduction
Psalm 99: This psalm affirms that God is the supreme king and that God alone is holy. It concludes the section of psalms we have been reading over the past several days, which praise God as king and righteous judge.
Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 99:5 (GNT)
Praise the LORD our God; worship before his throne! Holy is he!
Read
99 The Lord is king,
and the people tremble.
He sits on his throne above the winged creatures,
and the earth shakes.
2 The Lord is mighty in Zion;
he is supreme over all the nations.
3 Everyone will praise his great and majestic name.
Holy is he!
4 Mighty king,[a] you love what is right;
you have established justice in Israel;
you have brought righteousness and fairness.
5 Praise the Lord our God;
worship before his throne!
Holy is he!
6 Moses and Aaron were his priests,
and Samuel was one who prayed to him;
they called to the Lord, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud;
they obeyed the laws and commands that he gave them.
8 O Lord, our God, you answered your people;
you showed them that you are a God who forgives,
even though you punished them for their sins.
9 Praise the Lord our God,
and worship at his sacred hill![b]
The Lord our God is holy.
Reflect
What has the psalm writer said about God in verses 1–2? Verses 3 and 5 end with the words “Holy is he!” and verse 9 concludes with similar words. What does it mean to you that God is holy? We read that while the Israelites were in the wilderness, God appeared in the form of a cloud (Exodus 19:9, 33:9, 40:34–38). How does the writer present the way God interacted with these very human people? In what ways do you experience God’s presence in your life?
Pray
Holy are you, Lord God, king of all creation. I worship and praise you for your righteous and just deeds. As I listen for your voice, teach me your ways and order my steps this day. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Exodus 20:1–17: Moses delivers the Ten Commandments to the Israelites.
