Psalm 99: Hail to the King of Kings
THE ATTRIBUTES AND actions of our holy God inspire praise, awe and obedience in those who call on his name. This psalm calls to mind the special relationship that he had with Moses, Aaron, and Samuel—a relationship that is representative and possible for all of God's people.
Warming Up to God
Think about the holiness of God. What hymns come to mind that prompt you to praise him for God's holiness, the justice and rightness of God's ways? How do those hymns make you feel about approaching God?
Read Psalm 99. »
Discovering the Word
- This psalm speaks of the Lord in different ways a total of seven times. (Seven is a symbol of completeness.) What aspects or characteristics of this complete Lord does the psalmist affirm?
- Study the verbs. How do or should others respond in relation to the exalted Lord?
- Consider the cause and effects, also the actions and explanations, in this psalm. Why should God's people worship this Lord (vv. 4-8)?
- Out of reverence for God's unapproachable holiness, the people went through intermediaries to God. Priests such as Moses, Aaron and Samuel were the go-betweens (v. 6). How did God speak with them (vv. 6-8)?
Applying the Word
- God is terribly awesome and holy, forgiving and punishing. What does that say about the casual God-is-my-buddy approach or the presumptuous God-is-my-bellhop approach we often take in worship and prayer?
- What does God expect you to do in response to his holy character and righteous decrees?
- This psalm invites us to tremble, praise, exalt and worship this Lord. How do you do that each day?
Responding in Prayer
Let the awe of knowing this holy God sink in. Pray for a desire to be and do and love the things that characterize this holy God.
For Further Study
Knowing God by J. I. Packer