Psalms 99:5 Meaning Explained

Psalms 99:5

Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!

English Standard Version (ESV)

The phrase "worship at his footstool" isn't just about physical posture; it’s about coming to God with profound humility, recognizing that we are laying ourselves low before His greatness. The ancient understanding often linked this "footstool" to the Ark of the Covenant, the very place where God’s presence was most powerfully felt, urging worshippers to humble themselves at the threshold of His glory.

What Psalms 99:5 means

This psalm celebrates God's reign and faithfulness, specifically calling for worship in light of His pastDeliverances and His chosen people. After recounting God's powerful leadership through figures like Moses and Samuel, who were answered when they cried out to Him, the psalm urges believers to exalt God and worship in deep humility before His presence. This call to worship flows directly from God's unwavering holiness and His covenant faithfulness, even when His people fell short.

Worship at the Footstool

We're called to worship at God's footstool, but what does that mean? Is it a place, an object, or an attitude?

The phrase 'worship at his footstool' points to the Ark of the Covenant, which rested on the mercy seat between the cherubim where God's presence dwelled. It represents God's earthly throne and a place of profound reverence.

A Place of Encounter

Think of it as the designated spot where heaven met earth – the Ark in the tabernacle and later the temple. It wasn't just any place; it was the physical manifestation of God's dwelling among His people, a tangible reminder of His covenant promises and His presence.

Deep Humility

Worshipping 'at his footstool' signifies an attitude of deep humility and awe. It's about recognizing our lowliness before His infinite majesty. It's bowing down, not just physically, but in spirit, acknowledging that we are His creation, and He is our sovereign Lord. Even the earth itself can be seen as His footstool, emphasizing His infinite greatness compared to all creation.

The Reason for Reverence: God's Holiness

Why should we 'exalt' God and 'worship at his footstool'? The verse gives a singular, powerful reason.

The psalm climaxes with the declaration, 'Holy is he!' This isn't just an attribute; it's the very essence of God's being, and it's the ultimate reason for the awe and reverence we are called to give Him.

Absolute Purity

God's holiness means He is utterly separate from sin and impurity. It signifies His perfect moral nature, His absolute purity, and His supreme excellence. This isn't a 'holier-than-thou' attitude; it's the fundamental truth of who God is – completely set apart and perfect.

The Foundation of Worship

Because God is holy, He demands a response of reverence and awe. Angels in heaven cover their faces before Him, crying 'Holy, holy, holy!' (Isaiah 6:3). Our worship is a reflection of His holiness; it's our response to His unique and perfect nature. Exalting Him and worshipping at His footstool are direct consequences of recognizing His absolute, unwavering holiness.

Understand the original words

Original language

footstoolהֲדֹם

hadom · Hebrew Noun

A symbolic expression for the place where God’s presence rests on earth, often referring to the Ark of the Covenant or the Temple. It underscores the humility required before the presence of the Almighty.

Historical context

Written: Likely composed during the united monarchy or shortly after, possibly around the 10th century BC.
Author: Traditionally understood as David, though the Psalms have multiple authors and editors over time.
Location: Likely written from Jerusalem or surrounding areas, referring to the Ark of the Covenant within the Temple.
Genre: Poetry (specifically, a hymn of praise) featuring parallelism, where lines or phrases echo and reinforce each other.

Historical background

The call to 'worship at his footstool' in Psalm 99:5 likely refers to the Ark of the Covenant in the Temple, the symbolic footstool of God's throne. This verse resonates deeply during the post-exilic period when the Temple was being rebuilt, reminding a returning people of God's holiness and the proper reverence due in His restored dwelling place.

c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David consolidates his rule, establishing Jerusalem as the capital and preparing to build the Temple, signifying a period of national unity and divine favor.
c. 960 BC
Solomon's Temple Completed
The Ark of the Covenant is placed in the Holy of Holies within the magnificent Temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem, becoming the central place of worship.
c. 930 BC
Divided Monarchy
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, leading to political instability and religious deviation for some.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its people, serving as a stark warning about the consequences of unfaithfulness.

Key themes

01God's inherent holiness
02Exalted worship and reverence
03Divine presence on earth

Cross-references

1 Chronicles 28:2

This passage explicitly calls the Ark of the Covenant God's footstool, directly linking it to the worship described in Psalm 99:5 and highlighting its significance as a place of God's presence.

Isaiah 6:3

The angelic cry of 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty!' in Isaiah echoes the declaration 'Holy is he!' in Psalm 99:5, emphasizing the profound awe and reverence due to God's absolute holiness.

Matthew 5:35

Jesus uses the concept of God's footstool when teaching about oaths, referencing the earth as God's footstool. This broadens the understanding of 'footstool' beyond a specific object to encompass God's sovereignty over all creation.

Psalm 132:7

This psalm also mentions worship in relation to God's footstool, specifically linking it to His dwelling place, the sanctuary, reinforcing the idea of worshiping God in His holy presence.

Scholarly commentary

Psalms 99:5: "Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy."

Psalm 99:5 . Exalt ye the Lord — Give him the glory of the good government you are under, as it is now established. And worship at his footstool — That is, at his ark, which was the footstool to the mercy-seat, between the cherubim. Or we must cast ourselves down upon the pavement of his courts; and good reason we have to be thus reverent, for he is holy, and his holiness should strike an awe upon us, as it…
benson

Psalms 99:5: "Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy."

99:5 Foot - stool - Before the ark, which is so called, 1Chron 28:2. Holy - It is consecrated to be a pledge of God's presence.
wesley

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What Psalms 99:5 means

Historical context

Written: Likely composed during the united monarchy or shortly after, possibly around the 10th century BC.
Author: Traditionally understood as David, though the Psalms have multiple authors and editors over time.
Location: Likely written from Jerusalem or surrounding areas, referring to the Ark of the Covenant within the Temple.
Genre: Poetry (specifically, a hymn of praise) featuring parallelism, where lines or phrases echo and reinforce each other.

Historical background

c. 1000 BC

Davidic Kingdom Established

King David consolidates his rule, establishing Jerusalem as the capital and preparing to build the Temple, signifying a period of national unity and divine favor.

c. 960 BC

Solomon's Temple Completed

The Ark of the Covenant is placed in the Holy of Holies within the magnificent Temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem, becoming the central place of worship.

c. 930 BC

Divided Monarchy

Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, leading to political instability and religious deviation for some.

c. 722 BC

Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom

The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its people, serving as a stark warning about the consequences of unfaithfulness.