Psalm 99 (98):2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Beloved friends, as members of the Church and students of Christ, you are already aware of the teachings from our ancient fathers, who recorded the divine word and mighty deeds of God for our benefit as we navigate this era as believers in Christ. He first arrived in our midst with humility; the second coming is destined for glory. As expressed in the Psalms: "Truth shall blossom out of the earth, and truth shall look down from heaven." Our goal is to see Christ within the Psalms, Prophets, and Law—writings that predate His incarnation. Therefore, dear ones, let us reflect on this Psalm and seek the presence of Christ therein. He reveals Himself to the diligent seekers, having initially appeared to those who were not seeking Him, and He will not abandon those who long for Him, redeeming those who have seemingly overlooked Him. The Psalm begins by proclaiming His kingship: "The Lord is King, let the people be wrathful" (Psalm 98:1). Our Lord Jesus Christ began His reign and His proclamation after rising from the dead and ascending into heaven, instilling hope within His disciples through the Holy Spirit to alleviate their fear of death, which He had already encountered. He was preached to those yearning for salvation, evoking anger among idol worshippers who were indignant at the proclamation of the One by whom they had been created. He introduced Himself through His disciples, calling them to turn from their idols back to their Creator. Their anger towards their Lord sprang from their attachment to these idols, demonstrating the absurdity of worshipping the created over the Creator. The rage expressed was merely prophetic, as prophecy declares, "The Lord is King; let the people be angry." Even from such anger, good results may arise: let them be angry, and may martyrs be crowned in their bitterness.

You heard, in Jeremiah's reading preceding the Apostle's words, reflections pertinent to our times. He asserted, "The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth, let them disappear from the earth and from under the heavens" (Jeremiah 10:11). Notably, he did not reference their disappearance from heaven—since they never resided there—but emphasized their removal from the earth and its confines. Let them perish from the earth and their temples. Contemplate whether this is not occurring presently. Even if much remains untouched, the idols are more embedded in the hearts of the Gentiles than in their temples. He who sits between the cherubim—understanding this, we identify Him as the King—let Him stir the earth. The cherubim represent God's throne, as indicated in Scripture, a divine seat in heaven beyond our sight; yet, the Word of God perceives it as His own throne. The Word of God and the Spirit have revealed to God's servants where He dwells. God does not occupy a throne como a man; rather, we become His throne, for as it is written, "The soul of a righteous man is the receptacle of wisdom" (Proverbs 12:23). The term "throne" translates to “seat” in our language. Those versed in Hebrew interpret “cherubim” as indicating fullness of knowledge. God, in His completeness, is exalted above all understanding. Therefore, if the fullness of knowledge resides in you, you become God's throne. He knows all; even our hairs are numbered before Him (Matthew 10:30). However, the fullness of knowledge divinely intended for humanity differs from this; the knowledge designated for you pertains to God's law. You might wonder who can perfectly know the law to embody the fullness of knowledge and become the throne of God. Do not fret; the Apostle tells you simply—“Love is the fulfillment of the Law” (Romans 13:10). If love resides within you, you fulfill the law, and thus God dwells in you, making you His throne. What can angry individuals do to the one who has become a throne of God? Put your focus on the angry; do not overlook who resides within you. You have become heaven; do you fear the earth? As Scripture states, “Heaven is My throne” (Isaiah 66:1). If you are filled with love and knowledge, having become a throne for God, you embody heaven. The physical heaven we see is not particularly treasured by God; His heaven comprises holy souls, the minds of angels, and the spirits of all His servants.

Great is the Lord in Zion, exalted above all people (Psalm 98:2). The cherubim I mentioned signify greatness in Zion. What is Zion? We recognize it as God's city, specifically Jerusalem, interpreted as "watching," signifying vigilance and contemplation. Every soul pursuing the light it seeks can be deemed Zion. Should it gaze upon its lesser light, it remains dim; however, upon focusing on Him, it becomes illuminated. Now, it is evident that Zion symbolizes the Holy Church, for those who love one another and their God, who dwells within them, constitute God's city, governed by the law of love— for "God is Love" (1 John 4:8). A person full of love is filled with God; thus, a community rich in love creates a city filled with God. This city, Zion, signifies the Church, wherein God is great.

Do you believe, dear ones, that those whose instruments rejoiced yesterday are not displeased by our fasting? Let us not harbor anger towards them; rather, let us fast for them. Our Lord God, residing within us, commands us to pray for our enemies and those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44); when the Church does so, those who persecute us often diminish. A drunken man does not offend himself but harms the sober. Observe anyone genuinely at peace with God, yearning for the eternal tranquility promised, and you will find that witnessing a man rejoice incites greater sorrow than any fevered frenzy. Recognizing their sins, and knowing we too have been rescued from similar transgressions, we will grieve for them. Our grief can motivate prayer; to be heard, we shall fast for them. We do not observe the same fasts during our own festivities. Instead, the fasts observed during the days leading to Easter differ from those during secular celebrations; we fast to mourn when they celebrate. Their joy often incites our lament, reminding us of their ongoing misery. Yet, viewing many who have been saved from the state we once endured, we should not lose hope for them. If they remain angry, let us pray, and should any distant part of the earth rise against us, let us weep for them, that God may grant them understanding and that together we may partake in joyful words at this moment.

"All this people, over whom Thou art great in Zion, let them confess to Thy Name" (Psalm 98:3). When they were angry, Thy Name seemed small, yet it has become magnificent; let them now acknowledge it. In what manner was the Name of Christ perceived as small before its widespread recognition? His Name encompasses His report, which was initially limited but now renowned. What nation has not heard the name of Christ? Let those who previously reviled the smallness of His Name now profess before this great Name. Why confess? Because it is wondrous and sacred. He is proclaimed as humbled and crucified, so that He may return exalted, alive, and as the powerful arbiter. He presently extends mercy to those who speak ill of Him, for God’s kindness leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). Yet, the one who shows mercy today will not always extend it; He who is presently revered shall come to judge. He will return, dear brethren; let us live in such a way as to be found on His right hand. For He will arrive to judge, assigning some to the left and others to the right (Matthew 25:31-33). His decisions are flawless; He cannot mistakenly assert that a good person belongs on the left or that an evil one might be placed on the right. If He cannot err, our fears become meaningless unless we live in apprehension. However, those who have feared Him in this life have nothing left to dread, for "the honor of the king loves judgment."

Thou hast prepared equity; Thou hast executed judgment and righteousness in Jacob. We too must possess justice and righteousness; yet it is He who instills these qualities in us. How can we embody justice and righteousness? We attain judgment by discerning good from evil, and righteousness by actively seeking the good and avoiding evil. Maintain discernment to obtain judgment; through action, achieve righteousness. What constitutes judgment? Discerning good and evil; what is righteousness? Departing from evil to enact goodness. Yet, this righteousness is not derived from self-effort; Scripture observes, "Thou hast wrought judgment and righteousness in Jacob."

"Magnify the Lord our God" (Psalm 98:5). Truly exalt Him; let us praise Him who has crafted the very truths we hold, who created them within us. WHO but He can justify the unrighteous (Romans 4:5)? "Fall down before His footstool for He is holy." Before which footstool must we bow? That which resides beneath our feet is termed a footstool—footstool in Greek is ὑποπόδιον; in Latin, Scabellum or Suppedaneum. Ponder also, before what authority we bow. Scripture relates, “Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool” (Isaiah 66:1). Does this mean we are to worship the earth, which is named as a footstool? How can we venerate the earth, when Scripture distinctly states, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God” (Deuteronomy 6:13)? Thus, while we acknowledge falling before His footstool, which is identified as the earth, I hesitate; I fear the reproach of He who made heaven and earth. However, I am less apprehensive to honor my Lord’s footstool, for the Psalm directs us to bow before it. I inquire, what reflects a footstool? Scripture provides, "The earth is a footstool for My feet." My hesitation propels me toward Christ, seeking understanding: through Him, I comprehend how we can honor the earth without transgressing, for He took flesh from the earth; He embodied humanity and emerged from Mary. By walking this earth in the very flesh and providing that same flesh for our salvation, we learn how to respect His footstool rightly. It is not only permissible, it would be sinful not to worship it. Yet, does flesh confer life? Our Lord acknowledged this earth, declaring, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing"—yet He also affirmed, "Unless a man eat My Flesh he has no life within him" (John 6:54). When many disciples found His words too bitter, they withdrew, proclaiming, “These are hard sayings; who can bear them?” They perceived it literally rather than spiritually, assuming He intended to physically sever parts of His body. They acted foolishly; their misunderstanding obscured the deeper meaning of His words.

The twelve disciples who remained with Him understood truth and divine mystery. He told them, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life" (John 6:63). Seek the spiritual interpretation of My words; not to consume this visible body nor partake of the blood they will shed. Understand the mystery, spiritually grasped, will yield life. Though physically manifested, it must be spiritually discerned.

"Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among them that call upon His Name: they called upon the Lord, and He heard them" (Psalm 98:6). The psalm does not designate Moses explicitly as a priest; yet what else was he if not a priest? The verse asserts that Moses and Aaron were among His priests, acknowledging their calling. Samuel, who anointed King David, lived during such times and grew up in God’s service from his earliest days. These names symbolize those who sought God. Why invoke them here? To illustrate that we should aspire to recognize Christ in our midst. As stated above, let us magnify the Lord our God and bow before His holy footstool; we praise Him, our Lord Jesus Christ, whose footstool is the flesh he assumed, reminding us that the saints of old also proclaimed Him—because Christ is the True Priest. God spoke to them from a pillar of cloud. What does this signify? He communicated figuratively. Were He to speak through a cloud, it would symbolize unmanifested truths yet to be unveiled. That once unknown is now revealed in our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is magnificent in Zion. Zion represents the Church where Christ is honored and lifted high, as expressed in the words, I will exalt Thee my God, my King (Psalm 144:1).

When the Jews returned and constructed the sacred temple, the might of God was made apparent to everyone. However, He who suffered on the cross manifested Himself as the sovereign of all creation when the blessed apostles preached the message of salvation to the Gentiles.

Let the territory of Judah be disturbed, as it was during a time of great upheaval, impacting the entire earth and all of Jerusalem, as previously mentioned. The entire land was in turmoil; some individuals were outraged and furious, while others strayed from righteousness. Historically, Christ’s presence was significant and well-known in Jerusalem, where He taught and performed miraculous works. News of Him spread, as it is written, "And the fame of Him went out into every place of the country round about" (Luke 4:37); it quickly became known throughout all of Galilee (Mark 1:28) and reached every corner of Syria (Matthew 4:24).

When Christ passed through the sealed doors in Zion, He manifested His glory, making it evident through this miracle that He reigns above the cherubim. Consequently, His deeds as the Creator, surpass all of creation, elevating them above human limitations. Furthermore, He demonstrated His supremacy by bestowing the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, empowering them to proclaim His glory to all people across the earth.

He affirms the preceding statements, illustrating that the Lord, sovereign in Zion, possesses the power to nullify and render the adversaries of His church powerless. The subsequent expressions, which are exalted above all humanity, should not be interpreted as if God occupies the throne to deliver His foes but rather to thwart their schemes and desires. The phrase, let them confess to Thy name, does not pertain to mere lips but signifies the loyal followers, from whom the Prophet seeks acknowledgment. Although God may withhold recognition or acknowledgment from those defeated who continue to challenge His glory and utter slanders against His name, such terms do not apply to them. Instead, He addresses the faithful, encouraging them to exalt the sacred name of God.

A Psalm inspired by the Holy Spirit which David composed during the foundation of the kingdom in his lineage. It exclaims the supreme authority, power, and humanity of God Almighty as Sovereign and Judge, resting upon the Mercy Seat, amidst the Cherubim and Seraphim, invisibly enthroned, so that all may extol and worship Him, following the example of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. This also pertains to the Kingdom of Christ and the Holy Church, His Body (Eph. 1:23). When Christ, sovereign of heaven and earth, was born, Herod and all of Jerusalem were filled with dread, and in his rage, he ordered the slaying of all the children (Mt. 2:3, 16). Let humanity, bound by the chains of demons, be liberated into the freedom found in Christ, who sits enthroned on the Cherubim.

The Sovereign who rules in Zion, within His Sacred Church, is also the Sovereign over all peoples, including those yet to embrace His spiritual realm, the Holy Church.