¹The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake! ²The Lord is great in Zion, and He is exalted above all the peoples. ³Let them praise Your great and awesome name; Holy is He.

We can learn much about God as we read about His relationship with His chosen people, Israel. He is worthy of our worship because He is the Sovereign King over all, which remains true today as well. A careful examination of this psalm recognizes that the fundamental relationship of God with Israel is founded on the holy righteousness of the Law of Moses. He is Yahweh (“Lord” in vss. 1-2), the covenant name He used to identify Himself to Moses (Exodus 3:13-15, 6:2-3). The reference to being enthroned above the cherubim pictures the top of the Ark of the Covenant, the special box that carried the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments, some of the wilderness manna, and Aaron’s rod (Heb. 9:4). The top lid of the ark was called the Mercy Seat (Ex. 25:17-18) and was flanked by two sculptures of angels called cherubim. The Ark represented God’s presence, with the top envisioned as the earthly representation of God’s throne.

While the NASB translation renders the Hebrew word kol as being above the cherubim, other translations carry the nuance of being between the cherubim. The same word, kol, is used in verse 2 for the relationship of God to His people. In the same way that Yahweh was enthroned above and between the cherubim, He was also to be exalted above and in the midst of the people. God is both immanent (close to us) as well as transcendent (far above us).

Thus, we read “Holy is He” in verse 3. We are like Him in that we were created in His image, but He is different from us, holy and separate. It is no casual comment that the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle (the large, elaborate tent) where the Ark was situated is called the Holy of Holies (Exo. 26:34; some translations render this the Most Holy Place). The Tabernacle is where the people of Israel came to worship the Lord. At its core, worshiping God is a recognition of His holiness. He is so far above us, that in worship we remember the vast gulf, even while, at the same time, experiencing Him with and among us. He is our friend, but He is also our Sovereign King, the God of the universe. To enter His presence is no light matter, for the earth trembles (vs. 1). All God’s people are called to “exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool” (vs. 5a). Again, we are to remember that He is defined by holiness (“Holy is He” vs. 5b).

The Lord’s reign is characterized by justice and equity. The kingly reign of David and his descendants is in view, but that earthly kingship finds its spiritual empowerment in reflecting the perfect righteousness of Yahweh’s kingship over Israel. In Israel, the fairness of His judgment was codified in the Law of Moses, which had no respect for select individuals. All are treated the same under the Law, from Moses (the Lawgiver) and Aaron (the first high priest who mediated the sacrificial system), through Samuel being the last of Israel’s series of judges before the reign of Davidic kings over Israel (vs. 6). (The judges were the representatives of God, applying the Law of Moses and leading Israel back to Yahweh after punishment for sinning against Him in idol worship).

To be sure, Israel did, at times, sin against God’s law through their idol worship, yet in general, they continued returning to Him; Yahweh God remained with them despite their sin. He continued to speak to them “in the pillar of cloud” during the forty years in the Exodus wilderness (vs. 7). When they pleaded for forgiveness, the Lord always forgave them, yet this did not mean God overlooked their sin. They did suffer consequences, proving God judged equitably, even in His forgiveness (vss. 8-9).

The psalmist does not give us just a passionless theological history. Not at all! We can learn from and apply this psalm to ourselves. He is our King, as well as Israel’s. He is just in all He does. He is inherently completely saturated with holiness and righteousness because that is who He is. Even when we sin, He forgives and continues to speak to us. These great truths should inspire us to respond:

“Let the peoples tremble” (vs. 1)
“He is exalted above all the peoples” (vs. 2)
“Let them praise Your great and awesome name” (vs. 3)
“Exalt the Lord our God” (vs. 5a)
“Worship at His footstool” (vs. 5b)
“Exalt the Lord our God” (vs. 9a)
“Worship at His holy hill” (vs. 9b)

Lord, You are amazing. I tremble before You but also exalt, praise, and worship You, for You are worthy of my complete devotion.