Psalms 99
What Happens in This Chapter
This psalm says that the LORD is King and rules over everyone. It calls people to praise his name and to worship him, because he is holy. It remembers Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, who prayed to God and were answered, and it says God both forgave his people and punished their wrongs.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
1The LORD is King. Let the nations shake. He sits on his throne above the cherubim, the winged creatures. Let the earth shake too.
"Cherubim" are winged creatures. Gold figures of them stood on the lid of the ark, the special box in Israel's worship tent, and God was pictured as seated above them.
2The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.
2The LORD is great in Zion, the city of Jerusalem. He is far above all people.
3Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
3Let them praise your great name, the name that fills people with wonder. It is holy.
The KJV says "terrible name." In 1611 that meant a name that fills people with awe, not a name that is bad or scary.
4The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
4The strong King loves what is fair. You have made things right. You do what is fair and good for Jacob's family, the people of Israel.
5Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
5Lift up the LORD our God with praise. Bow down at his footstool. He is holy.
6Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
6Moses and Aaron served God as priests, men who led worship for the people. Samuel also called on God's name. They called to the LORD, and he answered them.
7He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
7He spoke to them from the tall cloud that led them. They kept his rules and did what he told them to do.
8Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
8You answered them, LORD our God. You forgave them. But you also punished the wrong things they did.
The KJV word "inventions" here does not mean things people build. It means the wrong things people thought up and did.
9Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.
9Lift up the LORD our God with praise. Worship at his holy mountain. The LORD our God is holy.
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