Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "worship at his footstool" points not just to a place, but a posture of deep humility. It signifies prostrating ourselves before God, acknowledging that we are far beneath His majesty, as if before the very place where His feet rest. This profound reverence is rooted in the awe-inspiring truth that "holy is He!"
Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm is calling for worship and exaltation of God, especially in light of His righteous rule and the historic faithfulness shown to Israel through leaders like Moses and Samuel. The verses immediately preceding this one recall God's presence and answered prayers for His people, highlighting His character and past actions. This verse builds on that by directly instructing the people to worship God at His "footstool," which refers to the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing His presence among them, and emphasizes His absolute holiness as the ultimate reason for such reverence.
When we approach God, where are we invited to 'worship'? The Bible uses a fascinating metaphor involving royalty and respect.
The phrase 'worship at his footstool' might sound strange, but it points to a specific place of worship in ancient Israel.
The Ark of the Covenant
Commentators agree that 'his footstool' most often refers to the Ark of the Covenant. This sacred chest, housed in the Most Holy Place, symbolized God's presence dwelling among His people. It was literally where God's presence was understood to rest, between the cherubim, with the Ark as the 'footstool' for His throne.
Humility and Awe
Worshipping at this footstool signifies profound humility and awe. It’s like bowing at the feet of a king, acknowledging His supreme authority and majesty. This wasn't about mere physical bowing, but a posture of the heart recognizing God's ultimate sovereignty and holiness.
Why does the psalmist immediately follow the call to worship with the declaration 'Holy is he!'? There's a deep connection.
The reason for such profound reverence and humble worship is rooted in the very character of God: His holiness.
Holiness as Separation and Purity
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God's holiness means He is utterly set apart from sin and impurity. He is perfectly pure, righteous, and morally perfect. This isn't just an attribute; it's central to His being.
The Awe of True Holiness
When we truly grasp God's holiness, it naturally inspires awe and a desire to worship. The angels themselves cover their faces before Him, crying 'Holy, holy, holy' (Isaiah 6:3). Our worship isn't just an activity; it's a response to who God IS.
Holiness Demands a Response
Because God is holy, His presence demands a holy response from us. This means not just going through religious motions, but approaching Him with a purified heart and a sincere desire to honor His unmatched purity and righteousness.
Understand the original words
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.
The reference to 'his footstool' in Psalm 99:5 points to the Ark of the Covenant, the sacred chest housing God's presence. While the Ark was central to the First Temple, its absence in the Second Temple period, when this Psalm was likely written, adds poignancy to the call to worship at God's footstool and exalt His holy name.
c. 1000 BC
Ark of the Covenant Placed in Jerusalem
King David brings the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest representing God's presence, to Jerusalem. It becomes central to worship, often referred to as God's 'footstool'.
c. 960 BC
Solomon's Temple Construction Begins
King Solomon begins building the First Temple in Jerusalem, designed to house the Ark of the Covenant and serve as the central place of worship.
c. 950 BC
Dedication of Solomon's Temple
The First Temple is dedicated, and the Ark is placed in the Most Holy Place. God's glory fills the Temple, signifying His dwelling among His people.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and First Temple
The Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem, destroys Solomon's Temple, and exiles much of the population, including the Ark.
c. 516 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
After the return from Babylonian exile, the Second Temple is dedicated. However, the Ark of the Covenant is notably absent, marking a significant shift in worship.
c. 500 BC— this verse
Likely Composition of Psalm 99
This Psalm, celebrating God's kingship and holiness, likely emerged during or after the Second Temple period, reflecting on God's faithfulness despite national calamities.
This passage explicitly identifies the Ark of the Covenant as God's footstool, connecting directly to the imagery in Psalm 99:5 and highlighting a specific place of worship.
Isaiah 66:1This verse also speaks of God's footstool, equating it with the earth, thus providing a broader cosmic perspective on God's sovereignty and the appropriate response of worship.
Psalm 132:7This psalm echoes the call to worship at God's footstool, linking it with God's dwelling place and His presence, reinforcing the reverence due to Him.
Matthew 5:35Jesus uses the imagery of God's footstool (referring to the earth) in the Sermon on the Mount, showing the enduring concept of God's supreme authority and the earthly realm's relation to it.
Isaiah 6:3This passage describes the seraphim crying 'Holy, holy, holy!' in God's presence, mirroring the emphasis on God's holiness in Psalm 99:5 and illustrating the awe-inspiring reaction to divine holiness.
bensonPsalms 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…
wesleyPsalms 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.
The phrase "worship at his footstool" points not just to a place, but a posture of deep humility. It signifies prostrating ourselves before God, acknowledging that we are far beneath His majesty, as if before the very place where His feet rest. This profound reverence is rooted in the awe-inspiring truth that "holy is He!"
This psalm is calling for worship and exaltation of God, especially in light of His righteous rule and the historic faithfulness shown to Israel through leaders like Moses and Samuel. The verses immediately preceding this one recall God's presence and answered prayers for His people, highlighting His character and past actions. This verse builds on that by directly instructing the people to worship God at His "footstool," which refers to the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing His presence among them, and emphasizes His absolute holiness as the ultimate reason for such reverence.
This psalm is calling for worship and exaltation of God, especially in light of His righteous rule and the historic faithfulness shown to Israel through leaders like Moses and Samuel. The verses immediately preceding this one recall God's presence and answered prayers for His people, highlighting His character and past actions. This verse builds on that by directly instructing the people to worship God at His "footstool," which refers to the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing His presence among them, and emphasizes His absolute holiness as the ultimate reason for such reverence.
"Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!" — The phrase "worship at his footstool" points not just to a place, but a posture of deep humility. It signifies prostrating ourselves before God, acknowledging that we are far beneath His majesty, as…
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Last reviewed October 2026