Psalms 99:1-9: a reflection

1The LORD reigns! Let the peoples tremble. He sits enthroned among the cherubim. Let the earth be moved. 2The LORD is great in Zion. He is high above all the peoples. 3Let them praise your great and awesome name. He is Holy! 4The King’s strength also loves justice. You establish equity. You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob. 5Exalt the LORD our God. Worship at his footstool. He is Holy! 6Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who call on his name. They called on the LORD, and he answered them. 7He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud. They kept his testimonies, the statute that he gave them. 8You answered them, LORD our God. You are a God who forgave them, although you took vengeance for their doings. 9Exalt the LORD, our God. Worship at his holy hill, for the LORD, our God, is holy!

This psalm sounds a refrain three times: He is holy. The LORD reigns, enthroned above the cherubim, high above all peoples, great in Zion, and holy, holy, holy. It is a vision of God in his transcendence, exalted and set apart, before whom the peoples tremble and the earth shakes.

But notice what the psalm does next. Having lifted God so high, it points to Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, who called on his name, and it says, they called on the LORD, and he answered them. The God enthroned in unapproachable holiness is the same God who answered when ordinary servants cried out to him. Holiness and nearness are held together: he is high above all peoples, and he answers those who call.

And there is one more line worth catching: you were a forgiving God to them, and yet an avenger of their wrongdoing. His holiness is not only exalted; it is both merciful and just, forgiving his people and not winking at their sin. So do not let God's greatness make him feel remote from you. The thrice-holy God, high and lifted up, is the God who answered Moses and Samuel, and who forgives while taking sin seriously. Call on him. The Holy One answers those who call.

Holy Lord, you reign high above all, and yet you answered Moses and Aaron and Samuel when they called. Do not feel remote to me. I call on you, the thrice-holy God who forgives and hears; answer me as you answered them.