As with the previous royal psalms (Psalms 93–98), this psalm celebrates that God reigns as King. But what sort of king is he? A mighty king before whom the earth shakes (v 1). A just king who rules with righteousness (v 4). A king who answers the prayers of his people (v 6). 

Observe, however, the constant refrain through verses 3, 5 and 9 – ‘he is holy … the Lord our God is holy’. Why such a focus?  

This psalm was probably written in the time when Israel was in exile. A time when the reign of God was far from certain. Israel was defeated, the Temple was destroyed, the people wept (see Psalm 137:1). The psalmist, however, cries out against such uncertainty. No, the Lord is still King! He is ever perfect and consistent in his character. Holy from first to last. 

What does this mean for Israel and for us? Like Moses, Aaron and Samuel, we too can call on the Lord and know that he will answer in our times of need. Just as he heard them, so he will hear us.  

One of the paradoxes of the Old Testament is that the God of the entire world chooses a particular nation and a particular city.’¹

This psalm presents God as king and calls on all people to worship him because he is holy. He is presented as king of the world (vs 1–3), king of Israel (vs 4,5) and king of the individual (vs 6–9). Three times we are reminded that God is holy. Holiness involves God’s power but has also a moral aspect. He loves justice. His reign – in contrast to that of earthly kings and leaders – is characterised by righteousness, justice, equity and fairness. The natural reaction to such a God is to praise his name and ‘worship at his footstool’ (v 5). 

The reminder of what God did in the days of Moses, Aaron and Samuel gives the people confidence that God can and will act in the same way in their day. As these three leaders are often seen as intercessors for a sinful people, there is also a reminder to the people that for all their privileged status they are still sinners. It is a reminder to them and to us that ‘Those who have cried “Our God is holy” know the need of a righteous mediator who by his pastoral rule and by his intimacy with God will maintain them in the sacred bond. The church finds this role fulfilled by Christ (Heb 3–10)’.² 

Verse 8 is an important reminder of a point which Israel – in Joshua’s day, as throughout their history – often learned the hard way: that God’s holiness is a two-edged sword. God forgives – but he also punishes sin. ‘It is this co-existence of God’s judgement and grace, so incomprehensible to the human mind, this insight into the real nature of a God who takes sin just as seriously as the forgiveness of sins, which is the innermost core of God’s holiness.’³

Forgiveness of sins is at the centre of our faith, so how do we avoid the danger of not taking sin seriously enough? 

¹ RJ Clifford, Psalms 73–150, 2003, Abingdon Press, p132  ² JH Eaton, Psalms, 1974, p240  ³ A Weiser, The Psalms, 1962, p644