Psalms 99:1

“The Lord reigneth, etc.] The King Messiah, he is made and declared Lord and Christ; he has reigned, does reign, and ever will; (see <199301>”

“As closing this series (see on Psa 93:1), this Psalm is a general call on all the earth to render exalted praise to God, the creator, preserver, and benefactor of men. (Psa 100:1-5) With thankful praise, unite service as the subjects of a king (Psa 2:11-12).”

“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…”

“People - Such as are enemies to God and his people. Sitteth - Upon the ark. He is present with his people. Earth - The people of the earth. Moved - With fear and trembling. Psalms 99:3”

“Ps 99 The psalmist calls the nations to worship the Lord, the king of the earth who rules from Zion. 99:1-5 The Lord is the holy and righteous King (Isa 6:1-5). Mount Zion, the location of the Lord’s Temple, metaphorically stands as the highest point on earth (Ps 113:4; Isa 2:2; 6:1). From this summit, the Great King (Ps 47:2) can see, rule over, and receive praise from all nations and peoples. 99:1 It is fitting to tremble and quake in response to the Lord’s holiness (see 96:9). • The throne between the cherubim refers to the cover of the Ark of the Covenant (Exod 25:17-22).”

“Lord: Psa 2:6, Psa 93:1, Psa 96:10, Psa 97:1; Luk 19:12, Luk 19:14; Rev 11:17 people: Psa 2:11, Psa 2:12, Psa 21:8, Psa 21:9, Psa 97:4; Luk 19:27; Phi 2:12 he sitteth: Psa 18:10, Psa 80:1; Exo 25:22; Ezek. 10:1-22 earth: Psa 82:5 \*marg. Jer 4:24, Jer 5:22, Jer 49:21, Jer 50:46; Rev 6:14, Rev 20:11 be moved: Heb. stagger, Isa 19:14, Isa 24:19, Isa 24:20 Psalms 99:2”

“The three futures express facts of the time to come, which are the inevitable result of Jahve's kingly dominion bearing sway from heaven, and here below from Zion, over the world; they therefore declare what must and will happen. The participle insidens cherubis ( Psa 80:2, cf. Psa 18:11) is a definition of the manner (Olshausen): He reigns, sitting enthroned above the cherubim. נוּט, like Arab. nwd, is a further formation of the root na, nu, to bend, nod. What is meant is not a trembling that is the absolute opposite of joy, but a trembling that leads on to salvation. The Breviarium in Psalterium, which bears the name of Jerome, observes: Terra quamdiu immota fuerit, sanari non potest;…”