Psalms

Psalms 99: The holy King answers and forgives

Begin in prayer

Before we hear of the holy King who answers His servants, let us remember the seriousness of our sin. Pray through Christ for forgiveness and a reverent trust in the holy Lord who answers His servants.

My holy name will I make known among my people Israel; neither will I allow my holy name to be profaned any more: and the nations shall know that I am Yahweh, the Holy One in Israel.

Ezekiel 39:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the holy Lord loves justice, hears His servants and forgives while judging their wrongs. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The reigning Lord sits enthroned among the cherubim, calling peoples and earth to tremble before His holiness. Great in Zion and exalted above all peoples, He deserves praise for His awesome name. His strength loves justice, establishing equity and righteousness in Jacob. Worshippers must bow at His footstool before the holy King. Moses, Aaron and Samuel called on Him and received answers, hearing His word and keeping His testimonies. He forgave them and took vengeance for their doings, so the song closes by calling His people to worship at His holy hill.

As you read Psalms 99, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The holy LORD reigns with justice, answers His servants and forgives while judging their wrongs.

The cherubim recall the ark and its place in Israel's worship, where God's presence was signified among His people. His throne reaches above every nation, so the greatness celebrated in Zion calls the whole earth to tremble. The repeated confession of His holiness means His royal strength is morally pure and worthy of reverence. He loves justice and establishes equity, giving righteousness its place within Jacob's life under His rule. His footstool pictures humble approach, with worshippers bowing before the King who welcomes their prayers. Moses and Aaron served among His priests, while Samuel joined the servants whose calling on His name received answers. The pillar of cloud and His given testimonies connect answered prayer to His revealed word and obedient service. His forgiveness stands alongside vengeance for their doings, preserving the seriousness of sin in the lives of people He has answered. The final call returns them to His holy hill, where mercy and righteous authority belong to the same holy Lord.

How does Psalm 99 show us that the holy LORD reigns with justice, answers His servants and forgives while judging their wrongs?

God's holy strength loves justice and deserves reverent worship.

The Lord's throne is above every people, and His greatness calls the earth to tremble. His strength loves justice and establishes equity. Bowing at His footstool acknowledges the holiness of the King whose rule is righteous.

God answers and forgives His servants while judging their wrongs.

Moses, Aaron and Samuel depended on the Lord's answer when they called on His name. His word gave their service its direction. His forgiveness and vengeance keep mercy and the seriousness of their doings together before the same holy King.

Memorise

You answered them, Yahweh our God. You are a God who forgave them, although you took vengeance for their doings.

Psalm 99:8

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sin am I treating lightly because I expect Jesus to forgive?

The song remembers, “You are a God who forgave them, although you took vengeance for their doings.” Moses, Aaron and Samuel had called upon the holy Lord. His answers and forgiveness never made the wrongs before His righteous throne harmless.

Our own sins deserve His holy anger. Jesus accepted condemnation for His people and died to secure their forgiveness before God. He was raised from the dead. Their holy King has answered the judgment against His people once for all, fully securing their forgiveness and acceptance before God.

Turn from the sins you have treated lightly and trust Jesus for pardon. Every person who comes to Him is forgiven. Ask Him to teach you reverence when you pray and obedience when you hear His Word. The Saviour's completed work gives His people thankful confidence to draw near to the holy God.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the holy Lord loves justice, hears His servants and forgives while judging their wrongs. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His holy rule joins justice, answered prayer and forgiveness. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Righteous Father, the world hasn’t known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me.

John 17:25

Holy and righteous God, please forgive our careless prayers and the sins we have excused. Bring us to Jesus, whose saving obedience and sacrifice have answered His people's guilt. Teach us to tremble before Your holiness and trust Your mercy. Give our family attentive hearts, and make our words and choices honour the King who loves justice. Amen.