2 The Lord is great in Zion; he is high over all the nations.
<A Song. A Psalm. Of the sons of Korah.> Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, in the town of our God, in his holy mountain. Beautiful in its high position, the joy of all the earth, is the mountain of Zion, the mountain of God, the town of the great King. In its buildings God is seen to be a high tower.
<To the chief music-maker; put to Neginoth. A Psalm. Of Asaph. A Song.> In Judah is the knowledge of God; his name is great in Israel, In Salem is his tent, his resting-place in Zion.
And at the end of the days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifting up my eyes to heaven, got back my reason, and, blessing the Most High, I gave praise and honour to him who is living for ever, whose rule is an eternal rule and whose kingdom goes on from generation to generation. And all the people of the earth are as nothing: he does his pleasure in the army of heaven and among the people of the earth: and no one is able to keep back his hand, or say to him, What are you doing?
But you have come to the mountain of Zion, to the place of the living God, to the Jerusalem which is in heaven, and to an army of angels which may not be numbered, To the great meeting and church of the first of those who are named in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of good men made complete, And to Jesus by whom the new agreement has been made between God and man, and to the sign of the blood which says better things than Abel's blood.
But he gives more grace. So that the Writings say, God is against the men of pride, but he gives grace to those who make themselves low before him. For this cause be ruled by God; but make war on the Evil One and he will be put to flight before you.
And I saw the Lamb on the mountain of Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand, marked on their brows with his name and the name of his Father. And a voice from heaven came to my ears, like the sound of great waters, and the sound of loud thunder: and the voice which came to me was like the sound of players, playing on instruments of music. And they made as it seemed a new song before the high seat, and before the four beasts and the rulers: and no man might have knowledge of the song but the hundred and forty-four thousand, even those from the earth whom God has made his for a price. These are they who have not made themselves unclean with women; for they are virgins. These are they who go after the Lamb wherever he goes. These were taken from among men to be the first fruits to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth there was no false word, for they are untouched by evil.
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Commentary on Psalms 99 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 99
Ps 99:1-9. God's government is especially exercised in and for His Church, which should praise Him for His gracious dealings.
1. sitteth … cherubim—(compare 1Sa 4:4; Ps 80:1).
tremble … be moved—inspired with fear by His judgments on the wicked.
2. great in Zion—where He dwells (Ps 9:11).
3. thy … name—perfections of justice, power, &c.
great and terrible name—producing dread (De 10:17), and to be praised by those over whom He is exalted (Ps 97:9).
it is holy—or, "He is holy" (Ps 99:5, 9; Isa 6:3).
4, 5. To His wise and righteous government all nations should render honor.
king's … judgment—His power is combined with justice.
he is holy—(compare Ps 22:3).
6-8. The experience of these servants of God is cited for encouragement.
among … priests, among … upon the Lord [and] He spake … pillar—may be referred to all three (compare Ex 18:19; Le 8:15; De 5:5; 1Sa 9:13).
7. cloudy pillar—the medium of divine intercourse (Ex 33:9; Nu 12:5). Obedience was united with worship. God answered them as intercessors for the people, who, though forgiven, were yet chastened (Ex 32:10, 34).