and worship at His holy mountain
The "holy mountain" refers to Mount Zion, the location of the temple in Jerusalem, which was considered the dwelling place of God among His people. Worship at this site was central to Jewish religious life, as it was where sacrifices were offered and festivals celebrated. The mountain symbolizes God's presence and His chosen place for worship (Psalm 48:1-2). This phrase also foreshadows the New Testament understanding of worship, where Jesus speaks of worshiping "in spirit and truth" (John 4:23-24), indicating that true worship transcends physical locations.

for the LORD our God is holy
The holiness of God is a fundamental attribute, signifying His purity, separateness, and moral perfection. This holiness demands reverence and awe from His people. The declaration of God's holiness is a central theme in the Bible, seen in the seraphim's cry in Isaiah 6:3, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty." God's holiness is also a call for His people to be holy, as seen in Leviticus 19:2, "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." This phrase underscores the reason for worship and exaltation, as God's holiness is both a source of comfort and a standard for His followers.

“Exalt the LORD our God” (Psalm 99:9) is a clear, joyful command.

• Exalting means lifting Him high in every arena of life—words, songs, choices, priorities (Psalm 34:3; Psalm 145:1–3).

• “LORD” (Yahweh) points to His covenant faithfulness, while “our God” reminds us of the privilege of belonging to Him (Psalm 95:7).

• Exaltation flows from recognizing His unrivaled rule: “For You, O LORD, are Most High over all the earth” (Psalm 97:9).

• True exaltation shows itself in obedience, not mere emotion (John 14:15; 1 Samuel 15:22).

“and worship at His holy mountain” (Psalm 99:9) invites a posture of humble awe.

• In David’s day the “holy mountain” was Zion, where God chose to manifest His presence (Psalm 132:13–14).

• Worship involves bowing low—body, heart, and will: “Come, let us worship and bow down” (Psalm 95:6).

• Through Christ we now approach the true, heavenly Zion (Hebrews 12:22–24); worship is no longer confined to geography but happens “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:21–24).

• Practical expressions of worship include:

– Adoring praise (Psalm 100:1–4)

– Sincere thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

– Sacrificial service (Romans 12:1)

– Corporate gathering with fellow believers (Hebrews 10:24–25)

“for the LORD our God is holy” (Psalm 99:9) gives the reason behind the commands.

• Holiness is God’s absolute moral perfection and His complete “otherness” (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 15:4).

• Because He is holy, His presence demands reverence (Exodus 3:5) and inspires trembling joy (Psalm 2:11).

• His holiness is not only to be admired but mirrored: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16; Leviticus 19:2).

• The gospel makes this possible—Christ’s righteousness credited to us (2 Corinthians 5:21) and the Spirit empowering growth in holiness (Galatians 5:16–25).

Psalm 99:9 calls God’s people to raise Him high and bow low—exalting His name and worshiping at the place of His presence—because His blazing holiness compels and deserves nothing less. The verse weaves together privilege (“our God”), responsibility (exalt and worship), and the supreme motive (His holiness), guiding believers today into wholehearted, reverent, joyful devotion.

Parallel Commentaries ...