The big picture
Psalms 99 opens in verse 1 with “The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 5 with “Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.”, and closes in verse 9 with “Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, holy, Exalt, judgment, name. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 9Psalms 99:1-5
1–5: The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the…
Psalms 99:1–5 opens with “The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be…” and reaches “Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 99 develops its own movement around LORD, holy, Exalt, judgment, name, with particular weight carried by LORD, holy, judgment.
Psalms 99:1-5
King James Version1The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
2The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.
3Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
4The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
5Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Psalms 99:6-9
6–9: Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon…
Psalms 99:6–9 opens with “Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called…” and reaches “Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 99 develops its own movement around LORD, holy, Exalt, judgment, name, with particular weight carried by LORD, holy, Aaron.
Psalms 99:6-9
King James Version6Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD , and he answered them.
7He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
8Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
9Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 99:1 begins with “The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 99:5 forms a natural hinge: “Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.”
The final note
Psalms 99:9 leaves the reader with “Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, holy, Exalt, judgment, name, people help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- spake
- spoke
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.