Psalm 99 calls all its hearers to exalt and worship the Holy One. This Psalm is part of the larger section of Psalm 93-100 which focuses on the LORD’s kingly reign. It surely echoes the other neighboring Psalms by holding up for us the Holy LORD who reigns over all the earth. Yet one of the most beautiful elements of this Psalm might go unnoticed – its implicit Christology. Clearly, Psalm 99 is not a forthright mention of the coming work of the Messiah like Psalm 110 or Psalm 22, but it is nevertheless present.
The Psalm begins:
The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
The earth is called to tremble in reverence before the reigning king. The focus narrows slightly in verse 2 when the peoples, or nations, are brought into view.
The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.
Continuing this trend, verse 4 declares:
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob
It thus further specifies the LORD’s particular work in the nation of Israel. And then in verse 6, Psalm 99 describes the LORD’s work among individuals in the nation, specifically its “officers” – the priests Moses and Aaron, and Samuel the prophet.
One might expect the Psalm to conclude its focus on these individuals, but verse 8 brings the Messiah into view, albeit implicitly.
O LORD our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
As we read this verse, we see how the LORD is able to forgive His people by first avenging their wrongdoings.
Psalm 85:9-10 makes a similar point.
Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.
The person and work of Jesus Christ allows for righteousness and peace to meet for God’s people. For it is in Christ that God satisfies his justice while also making peace with his people. The blood of Christ makes peace between God and his people (Col 1:20; cf Rom. 5:1).
The narrowing focus of Psalm 99 does not stop with Moses, Aaron and Samuel. It continues to the one faithful Israelite: Jesus of Nazareth. The person and work of this Israelite is the peace between the Holy One and His Church.
