Psalms 99:9 - Exalt Yahweh, our God. Worship at his holy hill, for Yahweh, our God, is holy!

Generated Verse: Psalms 99:9

What does "Psalms 99:9" mean?


Psalm 99:9 is a call to worship and reverence God. Let's break it down:

"Exalt Yahweh, our God": To "exalt" means to lift up, praise, honor, and magnify. "Yahweh" is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, often translated as "LORD" in English. This phrase calls the people to publicly and wholeheartedly acknowledge God's greatness and supremacy.

"Worship at his holy hill": This refers to the place where God is specially present. In the context of the Old Testament, it most likely refers to Mount Zion in Jerusalem, where the Temple was located. The Temple was considered the dwelling place of God on earth. "Worship" involves reverence, adoration, and submission to God. Metaphorically, it can mean drawing near to God through prayer, praise, and obedience.

"For Yahweh, our God, is holy!": This is the reason for the preceding commands. God is "holy," which means He is set apart, pure, perfect, and completely separate from anything profane or common. His holiness is the foundation for all worship and reverence. Because God is holy, He is worthy of our utmost respect and adoration.

In essence, the verse is a complete statement of worship:

1. A Command to Praise: Acknowledge God's greatness (Exalt).
2. A Place of Worship: A specific place or manner of worship (Holy Hill).
3. A Reason to Worship: Because of His inherent nature and character (Holiness).

The verse emphasizes that God's holiness demands a response of worship and adoration. It's a reminder that God is not just powerful or wise, but also morally perfect and utterly distinct from creation. This holiness should inspire awe and reverence in all who approach Him.

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