Psalms 98:1-99:9

98:7-8 | The psalmist personifies aspects of nature to emphasize that the whole earth rejoices at the coming of the righteous King and Judge. In Canaanite religion, the sea was a dark deity, portrayed here as very much under God’s control and glad at His coming (Isa. 42:10).

99:5 | Every king in ancient times had a footstool as a symbol of His position of authority. God’s footstool is the earth (Isa. 66:1; Matt. 5:35) and more specifically Zion, known as Israel (132:7; Isa. 60:13). He is the King above all kings, and all the earth is under His authority.

99:9 | The refrain of this psalm, “He is holy”, is expanded and given warmth here: The Lord our God is holy. His majesty is undiminished, but the word our reveals intimacy. As undeserving as humanity is, God is not ashamed to be called “ours.”