Psalms 99:5

Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

Psalms 99:5 (KJV)

Context

Psalm 99 is a praise psalm that exalts the Lord as a holy and just King. It emphasizes His greatness, power, and authority, calling His people to respond with reverent worship. The psalmist encourages the congregation to lift up the Lord and bow before Him, recalling that He is both transcendent and near to those who call on Him.

Meaning

The verse begins with the command to “exalt ye the LORD our God.” To exalt means to lift up, magnify, or honor God, giving Him the highest place in our hearts and minds. This is not merely an inward feeling but an active acknowledgment of His supremacy and greatness.

The command to “worship at his footstool” uses the image of a king’s footstool to depict humble, reverent prostration before God’s majesty. In the Old Testament, the temple was often seen as God’s footstool, a place where His presence dwelt among His people. Thus, worship at His footstool signifies approaching God with awe and submission, recognizing our lowliness before His holiness.

The verse concludes with the ground and motivation for this worship: “for he is holy.” God’s holiness is the foundation of all true worship; we exalt Him and bow before Him because He is set apart, pure, and utterly other than us. Recognizing His holiness helps us approach Him with reverence and humility.

Biblical connections

The psalm also recalls Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, who called on the Lord and were answered, showing that God is both holy and gracious. The call to exalt and worship is repeated at the end of the psalm (Psalm 99:9), reinforcing its importance. In the New Testament, footstool imagery appears in Psalm 110:1 regarding Christ’s enemies, but here it is a place of worship, not judgment.

Application

As believers, we are called to exalt and magnify the Lord in our lives. We do this by acknowledging His greatness, praising Him in worship, and making Him the central focus of our thoughts and actions. Worship is not merely an external activity but a heartfelt expression of reverence and love for God. Like the psalmist, we should approach God with humility, recognizing His authority and bowing before Him in awe.

The understanding of God’s holiness should lead us to live lives that reflect His character. We are called to pursue holiness and strive to live according to His righteous standards. Recognizing God’s holiness also helps us grasp the significance of His grace and mercy extended to us through Jesus Christ.

Reflection

Let us consider how we can exalt the Lord in our daily routines, giving Him the highest place in our hearts. May we approach His presence with the same reverence and awe that the psalmist models, worshiping at His footstool with humble hearts. As we meditate on His holiness, we are drawn to worship Him in spirit and truth, and we are reminded of the grace that makes such approach possible.