Bible Commentaries

XCIX. A Temple Song after Victory.—The Ps. is divided into three parts by the refrain "Holy is he" (i.e. separate from all defilement) at Psalms 99:3; Psalms 99:5 and (in an expanded form) at Psalms 99:9.

Psalms 99:1-3. The Psalmist praises Yahweh as exalted above all material things. The cherubim seem to recover what was perhaps their original significance, as spirits of the tempest (see on Psalms 18:9). Yahweh is seated on the cherubim, i.e. on the throne which they guard.

Psalms 99:4 f. He extols Yahweh's righteousness to Israel.

Psalms 99:4 a. MT is meaningless. Read with different pointing, "A strong one reigneth, a lover of judgment."

Psalms 99:5. footstool: i.e. Zion or the Temple.

Psalms 99:6-9. Yahweh still speaks as in the old time through priest and saint and through the Law.

Psalms 99:6. Better, "a Moses and an Aaron are among his priests and a Samuel is among them that call upon his name." The people still has its priests and saints who mediate between the nation and its God.

Psalms 99:7. Translate, "He speaketh in the pillar of the cloud to them that keep his testimonies and the statutes which he hath given them," i.e. the same God still speaks from the pillar of the cloud to those who con the lessons of olden days. The past is continued in the present.

Psalms 99:8 c. These words are out of place here. Read perhaps, "But avengest the insults that fall upon them." God forgives the priests and their adherents (the Sadducees?), but takes vengeance on the insults offered to the priestly rulers.