Psalm 99:2 kjv
The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.
Psalm 99:2 nkjv
The LORD is great in Zion, And He is high above all the peoples.
Psalm 99:2 niv
Great is the LORD in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations.
Psalm 99:2 esv
The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.
Psalm 99:2 nlt
The LORD sits in majesty in Jerusalem,
exalted above all the nations.
Psalm 99 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 145:3 | "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised..." | God's immense greatness to be extolled. |
| 1 Chr 29:11 | "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty..." | Attributes of God's universal sovereignty. |
| Psa 8:1 | "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" | God's majestic name exalted universally. |
| Jer 32:17-19 | "Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm... O great and mighty God..." | God's great power in creation and might. |
| Psa 113:4 | "The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!" | God's supremacy over all peoples and creation. |
| Psa 9:11 | "Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion..." | Zion as the Lord's dwelling place. |
| Isa 2:2-3 | "...the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it." | Zion as a spiritual magnet for all nations. |
| Psa 76:2 | "In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion." | Specific dwelling place in Jerusalem (Zion). |
| Joel 3:17 | "...you shall know that I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain." | God's residence in Zion signifying His presence and holiness. |
| Heb 12:22-24 | "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem..." | Believers' access to spiritual Zion. |
| Rev 14:1 | "Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb..." | The Lamb (Christ) reigning from Zion in vision. |
| Psa 47:8 | "God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne." | God's reign is universal. |
| Zec 8:22 | "Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem..." | Future ingathering of nations to Jerusalem. |
| Psa 22:27-28 | "All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord... For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations." | All nations will acknowledge God's rule. |
| Rev 15:4 | "Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you..." | All nations will worship the holy Lord. |
| Dan 7:14 | "...his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed." | Everlasting dominion over all peoples. |
| Psa 99:1 | "The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!" | Direct immediate context of God's universal reign. |
| Psa 99:5 | "Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool! Holy is he!" | Command to worship and exalt the Holy God. |
| Isa 52:10 | "The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations..." | God's power revealed to all nations. |
| Mic 4:2 | "and many nations shall come, and say: 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord...'" | Nations' desire to learn God's ways from Zion. |
Psalm 99 verses
Psalm 99 2 Meaning
Psalm 99:2 proclaims the Lord's supreme majesty and universal sovereignty. It establishes that the God of Israel, YHWH, whose presence is manifested uniquely in Zion, possesses unmatched greatness and ultimate authority over every nation and all humanity, far surpassing any other power or deity.
Psalm 99 2 Context
Psalm 99 is an enthronement psalm, celebrating the reign of YHWH as King. It emphasizes His holiness, justice, and righteousness as He rules from His chosen dwelling place in Zion. Verse 2 specifically asserts that despite God choosing Zion as His particular dwelling on Earth, His greatness and sovereignty are not limited there but extend universally over "all the peoples," challenging the common ancient Near Eastern belief in territorial deities. The Psalm calls for all the earth to acknowledge and worship YHWH, highlighting that He is a King who hears prayers and forgives sins, yet also upholds justice. It sets the stage for God's majestic and righteous governance over His creation.
Psalm 99 2 Word analysis
- The Lord: (Heb. יהוה, YHWH, often vocalized as Yahweh) This refers to the covenant God of Israel, the unique and personal name of God, indicating His self-existent, eternal, and redemptive nature. It distinguishes Him from all other gods.
- is great: (Heb. גָּדוֹל, gadol) Signifies immense size, majesty, power, authority, and renown. It describes His infinite nature, power, and high standing above all else, encompassing both His might and His character.
- in Zion: (Heb. בְּצִיּוֹן, be-Tsiyon) Zion is the elevated mount in Jerusalem, particularly referring to the Temple Mount where God’s presence was uniquely manifested among His people. It serves as His earthly throne room, the focal point of His covenant relationship with Israel, and the spiritual center from which His rule would eventually extend. It signifies His presence being tangibly located among His people, yet not confined by physical space.
- he is exalted: (Heb. וְהוּא רָם, ve-hu ram) Ram means to be high, elevated, lifted up. This highlights His supreme status, authority, and dignity. It conveys the idea that He is placed above all things and holds the highest position of honor and power. His rule is paramount and uncontested.
- over all the peoples: (Heb. עַל־כָּל־הָעַמִּים, al kol-ha'ammim) This phrase denotes universal dominion, extending beyond the chosen people of Israel to encompass every nation, tribe, and tongue. It emphasizes God’s sovereignty over the entire global community, refuting any notion of other gods or human rulers having ultimate authority. It signifies a universal reign that is truly absolute and inclusive.
Words-group analysis
- The Lord is great in Zion: This phrase combines God's infinite greatness with His specific, localized presence. It declares that God's immense majesty is uniquely revealed and experienced within His chosen dwelling in Zion, the heart of His covenant people. From this sacred place, His greatness emanates.
- he is exalted over all the peoples: This declares the universal extent of God's dominion. The greatness first established and manifested "in Zion" is then proclaimed as supremely sovereign "over all the peoples," demonstrating that His power and authority transcend geographical and ethnic boundaries. This points to Zion as the origin point or focal point from which His universal authority is demonstrated.
Psalm 99 2 Bonus section
The affirmation of "The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples" foreshadows the New Testament concept of God’s rule expanding through Christ. Zion, originally the physical city of Jerusalem and the Temple, spiritually transcends into the heavenly Jerusalem (Heb 12:22-24), the church, and the ultimate kingdom of God. This verse articulates a powerful truth against paganism: the true God's particular presence does not negate His universal rule; rather, it makes His universal rule evident. His presence in Zion demonstrates His power and faithfulness, serving as a beacon of His glory to the ends of the earth, drawing all people to Himself in worship.
Psalm 99 2 Commentary
Psalm 99:2 serves as a profound statement of theological truth: God’s particular dwelling with His people in Zion is intrinsically linked to His universal dominion. It is not that His greatness is confined to Zion, but rather revealed from Zion. His presence among His people does not limit Him but provides the means by which His cosmic authority and majesty are made known to "all the peoples." The psalmist emphasizes that YHWH, unlike local deities, is not merely the God of Israel but the sovereign King over all creation, and this sovereignty is clearly manifested through His presence in His holy city. This verse lays the groundwork for understanding how God's saving purposes, though historically rooted in Israel, are always intended to encompass all humanity. It calls for all nations to acknowledge and bow before the unique and supreme God who judges righteously and rules with holiness from His earthly throne.