Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Chapter 5: Psalms 81–101

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Psalm 99 with John Calvin – A Display of God’s Power The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble (v. 1). The people who were formerly called upon to rejoice are now commanded to tremble. For as the Jews were surrounded by enemies, it was extremely important that God’s power was magnified among them, so they might know that, under his guardianship, they were constantly and completely safe from the hatred and fury of every foe. The prophet here intends that God, in freeing his chosen people, should give such a tangible display of his power that it would strike all the nations with dismay, and make them feel how wildly they had rushed into their own destruction. For God is said to reign over humans when he exalts himself by his magnificent displays of power. But while the aid he gives to them remains invisible, unbelievers act presumptuously, just as if there was no God. Great is the LORD in Zion (v. 2). It is proper that we should not forget the reason that God is great in Zion: because he destroys and annihilates all the enemies of his Church. When the psalmist goes on to say, he is exalted over all the nations, he does not mean that he presides over them to promote their welfare, but to ruin their plans, baffle their designs, and subvert all their power. They called on the LORD and he answered them (v. 6). God, with a special reference to his gracious covenant, bestowed great benefits upon the descendants of Abraham—the Jews—from the beginning. And, therefore, as often as they experienced the faithful love of God, it was proper for them to call to mind his former faithful love.