New American Bible
2002 11 11
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Chapter 99
1
1 2 The LORD is king, the
peoples tremble; God is enthroned on the cherubim, the earth quakes.
2
The LORD is great on Zion, exalted above all
the peoples.
3
Let them praise your great and awesome name:
Holy is God!
4
O mighty king, lover of justice, you alone have
established fairness; you have created just rule in Jacob.
5
3 Exalt the LORD, our God; bow down before his footstool;
holy is God!
6
Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel
among those who called on God's name; they called on the LORD, who answered
them.
7
From the pillar of cloud God spoke to them; they
kept the decrees, the law they received.
8
O LORD, our God, you answered them; you were a
forgiving God, though you punished their offenses.
9
Exalt the LORD, our God; bow down before his
holy mountain; holy is the LORD, our God.
1 [Psalm 99] A hymn to God as the
king whose grandeur is most clearly seen on Mount Zion
(⇒ Psalm 99:2) and in the laws given to Israel
(⇒ Psalm 99:4). Israel is special because of God's
word of justice, which was mediated by the revered speakers, Moses, Aaron, and
Samuel (⇒ Psalm 99:6-8). The poem is structured by
the threefold statement that God is holy (⇒ Psalm
99:3, 5, 9)
and by the twice-repeated command to praise (⇒ Psalm
99:5, 9).
2 [1] Enthroned on the cherubim: cherubim
were composite beings with animal and human features, common in ancient Near
Eastern art. Two cherubim were placed on the ark (or box) of the covenant in
the holy of holies. Upon them God was believed to dwell invisibly. Cf
⇒ Exodus 25:20-22; ⇒ 1 Sam
4:4; ⇒ 2 Sam 6:2; ⇒ Psalm
80:2.
3 [5] Footstool: a reference to the
ark. Cf ⇒ 1 Chron 28:2; ⇒ Psalm
132:7.
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