Monday after the Transfiguration, February 27, 2107 Psalm 99:1-5
Psalm 99:1-5 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Lord Our God Is Holy
99 The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2 The Lord is great in Zion;
he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name!
Holy is he!
4 The King in his might loves justice.[a]
You have established equity;
you have executed justice
and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the Lord our God;
worship at his footstool!
Holy is he!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2 The Lord is great in Zion;
he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name!
Holy is he!
4 The King in his might loves justice.[a]
You have established equity;
you have executed justice
and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the Lord our God;
worship at his footstool!
Holy is he!
Along with Psalm 93 and 97 this psalm
begins with the phrase “The Lord reigns.”
It proclaims Him King over all creation; it highlights God’s holiness, which
evokes awe, reverence, even fear. He alone is worthy of worship, prayer, and
devotion. Although Moses, Aaron, and Samuel are mentioned, the psalm cannot be
dated or identified with any particular historical event. These men represent
the priestly and prophetic offices of ancient Israel and demonstrate both God’s
justice and forgiveness for His people.[1]
The Psalmist mentions twice, “Holy is He!” What makes God different
from His creation and His created order is the fact that He alone is Holy. We
live in a fallen world, outside of Eden. Because He is Holy God is unique,
totally unlike anything else that has been made.
How then is God’s name kept Holy?
Luther would remind us in the explanation to the First Petition of the Lord’s
Prayer, “God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in his truth
and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to
it.” To this we simply pray, “Help us to
do this dear Father in heaven!”
Luther goes on to explain, “But
anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God’s Word profanes the name of God
among us.” To this we simply pray, “Protect
us from this, heavenly Father!”[2]
Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on
earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace
through all our days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and
reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[3]
[1] The
Lutheran Self Study Bible © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[2] 1st
Petition of the Lord’s Prayer, Luther’s Small Catechism, © 2009 Concordia
Publishing House, St Louis
[3] Collect for the Second Sunday after Epiphany, Lutheran
Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis
Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
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