A common objection to the sovereignty of God is the perennially wretched state of the world: “If God is good, why do bad things happen?” But just ask, “Who does the bad things?” and anyone will tell you that, aside from natural disasters, people are the evildoers! Then ask what the world would look like without the God of all comfort, the gospel in His Son Jesus, a faithful Church serving the Lord, transformed lives, and loving people doing good things.

The answer is in Genesis 6:5-8, in the days before the Flood: “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was very great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” God’s just reaction was to say, “I will blot out man.” And that is what He did, with the exception of Noah, who “found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”

Christ Is the Exalted King (vv. 1-3)

Andrew Bonar rightly says Psalm 99 “is throughout a Psalm proclaiming the untarnished perfection of the King, Messiah ruling in holiness” (Christ and His Church in the Psalms, p. 295). Under the name “Lord”–the covenant God–it is Christ the Lord who is in view. This is unfolded in a three-part argument:

He “reigns”–over everything (v. 1a).

He “dwells” with His people–as their Redeemer God (v. 1c).

He is exalted in “Zion”–His church; and ought to be worshiped by “all” humanity (v. 2).

These are chased by three applications: The Lord reigns, so “tremble” (v. 1b); He is with His people, so “let the earth” listen (v. 1d); He is exalted in His church, so let us praise His “great and awesome name” (v. 3a). The overarching reason is that “He is holy” (v. 3b). This is the great defining characteristic of God and the abiding motive of our worship.

Christ Is the Just King (vv. 4-5)

This section has three parts: and includes a doctrine, a response, and a motive for the response.

The doctrine is that Christ the King “loves justice,” and has established equity, and “executed justice and righteousness in Jacob” (v. 4). His might is moderated by love of righteousness, for “God is love” and His character directs His power (1 John 4:8).

The response called for is both individual and corporate: “Exalt the Lord our God” and “worship at His footstool” (v. 5). David Dickson (Psalms, vol. 1, p. 191) sees the first part–“Exalt…” etc.–as calling each individual to personal trust in Christ, in the covenant of grace, confessing Him as Savior and Lord. The reference to worship is the corporate aspect, God’s “footstool” being the ark in the Old Testament and Christ triumphant and risen from death in the New Testament.

The motive for worship again is, “He is holy” (v. 5). This asks you, “What brings you to public worship?” It pointedly challenges you as to your habitual absence, say, from evening worship: “What is more important about what you are doing than public worship?”

Christ Is the Forgiving King (vv. 6-9)

For one thing, the Lord sends faithful messengers to minister to and intercede for you (vv. 6-7). The Lord gave “testimonies” and “ordinance”–that is, His Word of Truth, the entrance of which brings light (Ps. 119:130).

Then again, He proved to be the “God Who Forgives” (v. 8). He is “our God,” endlessly gracious to His people, even given their backslidings. Yes, “God took vengeance on their deeds.” These chastisements of Israel and our thorns in the flesh are not “punishments satisfactory to justice” but the loving Savior’s mercy reaching to correct you! He forgives all your transgressions in His gospel grace!

The final exhortation returns to the central theme, “Exalt the Lord our God” (v. 9). Paul tells us that “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them” (2 Cor. 5:19). This is exactly what Psalm 99 is about: God has sent His Son to be the mediator King who brings justice and mercy together at the cross. Christ is the King, exalted, just and forgiving.

How will we exalt our King? We will “worship at His holy hill” (v. 9)–that is, in the church, with His body for whom He gave Himself as a ransom.

And why so worship Him? For the third time the answer is that He is holy (v. 9). He might have said “for He has done great things for you,” but the writer moves from Christ’s sacrifice–“holy hill”–to His character–“holy.” Why? Because this is why you can trust yourself to Him–Christ is indeed King!