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Psalm 99 Bible study: He is holy
Psalm 99 says three times that the LORD is holy (99:3, 99:5, 99:9). It is the only psalm that names Samuel (99:6). And in one line it calls the LORD "a God who forgave them" and says "you took vengeance for their doings" (99:8), with the verb Psalms 8 and 44 use for the avenger beside the enemy.
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“Exalt the LORD, our God. Worship at his holy hill, for the LORD, our God, is holy!”
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“Psalm 99 names Samuel.”
Is that in Psalm 99, or not? Make your call.
What's really going on
Holy, three times
Psalm 99 has no title. It opens, "The LORD reigns!" (99:1), the words that open Psalm 93 and Psalm 97 as well (tap reigns). Then it says three times that the LORD is holy, and each time it closes a run of verses. "He is Holy!" (99:3). "He is Holy!" (99:5). And the psalm's last words: "for the LORD, our God, is holy!" (99:9). The first two are the same two Hebrew words, qadosh hu (tap Holy). The third is longer: ki qadosh, for … is holy, with the LORD our God. The Psalms have qadosh 15 times in Hebrew, and three of them are in this psalm. Each run starts somewhere different: with the LORD's reign over the peoples (99:1-3), with justice in Jacob (99:4-5), and with Moses, Aaron and Samuel (99:6-9). Each ends in the same place.
Honest questions
Questions people ask about Psalm 99
That was a taste
The rest of Psalm 99 is waiting in Favor
- High, and exalted
- Moses, Aaron and Samuel
- Answered, forgave, took vengeance
- "Sits above the cherubim", elsewhere
- 7 questions as you read
- 13 more Hebrew words
- A short check at the end
- Your notes, saved as you go
Favor reads the Bible in order, so you'll reach Psalm 99 with everything before it in view. First week free, then $10 a month per person.
The Hebrew word behind it
קָדוֹשׁqadoshsay qa-DOSH
Brown-Driver-Briggs: "sacred, holy". Strong's: "sacred (ceremonially or morally)". "He is Holy!" (99:3, 99:5): in Hebrew two words, qadosh hu. The psalm's last line has it again: "for the LORD, our God, is holy!" (99:9). The holy of "his holy hill" in the same verse is another word, qodesh. The Psalms have qadosh 15 times in Hebrew, and three of them are in this psalm. In Isaiah's vision it comes three times in one line: "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of Armies!" (Isaiah 6:3).
For your group
Psalm 99 Bible study questions
- 1"They called on the LORD, and he answered them" (99:6). When have you called on God, and what did his answer look like?
- 2In one line Psalm 99:8 says God forgave them and took vengeance for their doings. Which half of that line do you find easier to believe, and why?
- 3The psalm says three times that the LORD is holy (99:3, 99:5, 99:9). What would change in your prayers this week if you began there?
Leading a group? In Favor, everyone reads Psalm 99 during the week and answers these questions privately. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together, and you can print the week's sheet.
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Questions
What is Favor?
Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the Hebrew and Greek behind the words, the details most readers miss, and how each part of the Bible leads to Jesus. Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church.
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Can I read Psalm 99 straight away?
Favor takes the Bible as one story, in order, so you'll reach Psalm 99 with everything that leads up to it in view. Start from Genesis, or meet Jesus first in the Gospels. You can read the text of any chapter in Favor's Look up whenever you like.
Do I need a group?
No. Many people read on their own. If you'd like to read with others, start a Bible study and share one link. Everyone's answers stay private until you meet.
I've never really read the Bible. Is this for me?
Yes. Favor starts where you are and explains as it goes. The questions along the way aren't marked right or wrong: you answer, then see what the text shows.
Which Bible does Favor use?
The World English Bible, a modern, readable translation in the public domain. God's name appears as "the LORD", as in most English Bibles.
Is Favor tied to a church?
No. Favor is non-denominational. Where Christians read a passage differently, it shows the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.
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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Hebrew and Greek words are checked against the original-language texts and public-domain lexicons. What we believe · Favor home