Psalms Book 4: Songs of Exile | Video DevotionalSample

Recap

Yesterday, we saw that God is the ultimate warrior. Today, we will learn that God is uniquely powerful, just, and forgiving.

What’s Happening?

The song of Psalm 99 calls God’s people to worship him as a Holy King. The word “holy” means “separated from” or “unique.” And the psalmist wants us to worship God’s unparalleled power, justice, and forgiveness. He invites God’s people to consider how God is different, unique, and separate from every other being in the universe.

First, the psalmist celebrates God as a being of unique and holy power. God is a king, but his throne, unlike any other ruler’s, is flanked by flaming spiritual beings called cherubim (Psalm 99:1). And unlike all other kings, his rule extends beyond the borders of his people in Israel and into every other country on earth (Psalm 99:2). Every nation on earth responds to his authority and submits to him (Psalm 99:1). God is holy in his universal power (Psalm 99:3).

Second, God is holy because he is just. He uses his unparalleled power not to take advantage but to do justice among his people (Psalm 99:4). God punishes evil and rewards good. Unlike most, he never abuses his absolute power. Because God is holy in his justice, he has always and will always judge correctly (Psalm 99:5).

Finally, the psalmist praises God’s holy and unparalleled forgiveness. In his holy justice, God still hears his people when they ask him for mercy (Psalm 99:6). Even when God’s people and leaders are in the wrong and have disobeyed his commands, God forgives his people, despite having the right to punish them. God is uniquely holy because his unparalleled power and absolute justice do not prevent his mercy and forgiveness (Psalm 99:7-8). For these three reasons - God’s holy and unique forgiveness, justice, and power, God’s people should worship him (Psalm 99:9).

Where is the Gospel?

The Holy King of Psalm 99 visited his people in the person of Jesus (Hebrews 1:3). In his life, Jesus demonstrated the full might of God’s holy power (Colossians 1:19). When Jesus’ enemies came to arrest him, he revealed that he had an army of angels at his command (Matthew 26:53). Then, simply by speaking his name, his captors fell to the ground in submission to his authority (John 18:6). Jesus was God’s holy power in the flesh.

Jesus also brought God’s holy justice to his people. He advocated for the victimized and humiliated the proud (John 5:5-9; Luke 14:1-6). He defended sinners from their accusers (Luke 5:20, John 8:3-11). He freed the oppressed, healed the sick, and liberated those in spiritual bondage. He honored women and outcasts, touched the ostracized, and told the power-hungry to become like small children (John 4:7-26; Matthew 8:2-3; Matthew 18:1-4). Jesus saw and treated people the way God did. Jesus was holy in his justice.

Finally, Jesus demonstrates God’s holy forgiveness. During his life, he forgave sinners and told his followers to forgive those who wronged them (Matthew 6:12). He came into the world to die for those who had wronged God. Even when Roman executioners hammered nails into his hands and feet, Jesus did not cry out curses against his tormentors. He prayed for their forgiveness (Luke 23:33-34). As Jesus suffocated on the cross, a criminal next to him asked Jesus for mercy, and Jesus gave it freely (Luke 23:41-43). He shed his blood and died in agony to bring forgiveness to all who ask for it (Matthew 26:28; 1 John 1:9). No one forgives like Jesus. He is the Holy King who is powerful, just, and forgiving.

A Time of Prayer

I pray that the Holy Spirit will open my eyes to see God’s holy power, justice, and forgiveness. And may I see Jesus as the one who deserves all my worship.