Psalm 99

Theme
Praise for God’s fairness and holiness. Because God is perfect just and fair, we can trust him completely.

Author
Anonymous

Highlight

Faith

Praise is the most natural outgrowth of the faithful Christian. We look at our lives, we see all the ways God has cared for us and led us as we have been faithful to him. And when we recognize his wonderful work in our lives, our lives will overflow with praise. Praising the Father not only brings joy to him, but it also refreshes the believer. Just as we enjoy hearing our name spoken by friends and family, God loves hearing his children calling his name. Just as we are pleased when friends affirm us, God joyfully accepts the praise and affirmation of his people.
Make praise a part of your day. You will be refreshed! Read Psalm 99:3 to see why God deserves our praise.

Word Study

Psalm 99:5 – worship, shachah (shah-chah)

The psalmist encourages us to “exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool.” When we worship God, we take our proper place in the divine order before him as King of the Universe. When we are in the presence of God, we can do nothing less that fall on our faces and worship him because he is God and is worthy to be praised. God created us to worship him, and it is in worshiping him that we find our full expression as human beings.
The word shachah means to “to bow,” “to stoop”; “to bow down before someone as an act of submission or reverence”; “to worship”; “to fall or bow down when paying homage to God.” The primary meaning is “to make oneself low.” In the present reference, shachah is used in contrast to exaltation.


Case Study

Competing for Life (Read Psalm 99:1-9)

Alex is a typical student. Each day he faces competition. In fact, to him, all of life seems like a competition.
His friends compete for the coolest clothes. Classmates compete for the highest grades. When Alex steps out onto the soccer field, he even has teammates who compete for starting positions.
There are few places he can go without feeling the pressure to compete.
Alex’s experience is not unique. Throughout our lives, we will find ourselves in competition. It begins in the playground, goes on through school, and continues though most careers. It becomes easy to judge people by their success. People who succeed are often held up as role models for the rest of the world to imitate.

Think About It
Although people are often considered great if they have success, the writer of Psalm 99 reminds us that only God is truly great. He is the only ruler of the world, and only he is perfect, fair, and strong. No person’s success can ever compare with God’s success. Compared to God, no person seems as impressive. Be sure to honor God with your abilities. How can you use the gifts he has given to you to praise him instead of focusing on competing with others?

Pray About It
God, it is tempting to use the abilities you have given me for my own honor. Remind me to praise you for the life you have given me.