Psalm 99:1 NKJV
The Lord reigns;
Let the peoples tremble!
He dwells between the cherubim;
Let the earth be moved!
The LORD reigns: For the third time, a psalm begins with this phrase (see also Psalm 93:1 and 97:1). Psalm 99 speaks of God’s presence (He dwells between the cherubim), but in His presence He reigns. God isn’t simply there; He is a reigning king. (Guzik)
Let the peoples tremble: In the presence of a sovereign God, it is appropriate to tremble. Even the earth can be moved at His presence – much more so should the peoples be moved. (Guzik)
i. Men of the world ridiculed ‘the Quakers’ for trembling when under the power of the Holy Spirit; had they been able to discern the majesty of the Eternal they would have quaked also.” (Spurgeon)
He dwells between the cherubim: God is enthroned in His sanctuary. It is difficult to say whether the psalmist had in mind the heavenly sanctuary of God or the earthly representation of it (the tabernacle or temple); both are true and either one fits. (Guzik)
i. “His living throne of cherubim – not the weaponless cupids of religious art but the mighty beings whose forms summed up for Ezekiel the whole kingdom of earthly creatures – this living throne is a flying chariot, fiery with judgment and salvation.” (Kidner)
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“The Lord reigneth.” One of the most joyous utterances which ever leaped from mortal lip. The overthrow of the reign of evil and the setting up of Jehovah’s kingdom of goodness, justice, and truth, is worthy to be hymned again and again, as we have it here for the third time in the psalms.
“Let the people tremble.” Let the chosen people feel a solemn yet joyful awe, which shall thrill their whole manhood. Saints quiver with devout emotion, and sinners quiver with terror when the rule of Jehovah is fully perceived and felt. It is not a light or trifling matter, it is a truth which, above all others, should stir the depths of our nature.
“He sitteth between the cherubims.” In grandeur of sublime glory, yet in nearness of mediatorial condescension, Jehovah revealed himself above the mercy-seat, whereon stood the likeness of those flaming ones who gaze upon his glory, and forever cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts.” The Lord reigning on that throne of grace which is sprinkled with atoning blood, and veiled with the covering wings of mediatorial love, is above all other revelations wonderful and fitted to excite emotion among all mankind, hence it is added,
“Let the earth be moved.” Not merely “the people,” but the whole earth should feel a movement of adoring awe when it is known that on the mercy-seat God sits as universal monarch. The pomp of heaven surrounds him, and is symbolized by the outstretched wings of waiting cherubs; let not the earth be less moved to adoration, rather let all her tribes bow before his infinite majesty, yea, let the solid earth itself with reverent tremor acknowledge his presence. (Spurgeon)
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The Lord reigneth – The Lord, Yahweh, is king. See Psalms 93:1.
Let the people tremble – The Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate render this, “Let the people rage” – or, be angry: as if the idea were that God reigned, although the people were enraged, and were opposed to him. The true meaning of the word used here, however, is “tremble,” properly signifying to be moved, disturbed, disquieted, thrown into commotion; and then it may mean to be moved with anger, Proverbs 29:9; Isaiah 28:21; or with grief, 2 Samuel 18:33 : or with fear, Psalms 4:4; or with joy, Jeremiah 33:9. Hence, it means to be agitated or moved with fear or reverence; and it refers here to the reverence or awe which one has in the conscious presence of God.
He sitteth between the cherubims – See the notes at Psalms 80:1.
Let the earth be moved – Margin, “stagger.” The word means to move or quake. It occurs nowhere else. Compare the notes at Psalms 18:7. See also Habakkuk 3:6, Habakkuk 3:10. (Barnes)
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The Lord reigneth,…. The King Messiah, he is made and declared Lord and Christ; he has reigned, does reign, and ever will; see Psalm 93:1,
let the people tremble: with awe of his majesty, and reverence of his word and ordinances; rejoicing before him with trembling, as his own people and subjects do, Psalm 2:11, and so it agrees with Psalm 97:1, or it may be understood of the people that are enemies to Christ, who would not have him to reign, though he shall whether they will or not; and who will sooner or later tremble for fear of him, and his righteous judgment. Jarchi refers this to the war of Gog and Magog. The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Arabic versions, render it, “let the people be angry”; or it may be rendered, “they are angry”; or “therefore they are angry”; because he reigns; so the people, both Jews and Gentiles, were angry and raged, when his kingdom was first visibly set up among them, Psalm 2:1, and so the nations will when he takes to himself his great power, and reigns, Revelation 11:18,
he sitteth [between] the cherubim; “upon” or “above,” as the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions; alluding to the seat of the Shechinah, or divine Majesty, in the holy of holies; and respects either the exalted glory of Christ among the angels, and above them at the right hand of God, where they are subject to him, stand about him, ready to do his will; or rather his presence with his ministers of the word, who are the instruments of spreading his Gospel, and enlarging his kingdom and interest in the world.
let the earth be moved: not that itself out of its place, but the inhabitants of it; and these either with a sense of sin and duty, and become subject to Christ their King; or with wrath and indignation at him, or through fear of him, as before; Kimchi says, at the fall of Gog and Magog; it may be particularly understood of the land of Judea, and of the commotion in it, especially in Jerusalem, when the tidings were brought of the birth of the King Messiah, Matthew 2:1, or of the shaking and moving both of the civil and ecclesiastical state of the nation, and of the ruin of it; see Hebrews 12:26. (Gill)
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God presided in the affairs of religion: He sitteth between the cherubim (v. 1), as on his throne, to give law by the oracles thence delivered-as on the mercy-seat, to receive petitions. This was the honor of Israel, that they had among them the Shechinah, or special presence of God, attended by the holy angels; the temple was the royal palace, and the Holy of holies was the presence-chamber. (Henry)
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Geneva Bible 1560
Psalms 99:1
He Lord reigneth, let the a people tremble: he sitteth between the *Cherubims, let the earth be moved.
a When God delivers his Church, all the enemies shall have cause to tremble. 1 *Ex. 25.22.
Benediction:
10 Therefore David blessed the Lord before all the assembly; and David said:
“Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.
11
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,
And You are exalted as head over all.
12
Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all.
13
“Now therefore, our God,
We thank You
And praise Your glorious name.
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