What does "worship at His footstool" mean in the context of Psalm 99:5? Setting the Scene Psalm 99 opens with the Lord “enthroned between the cherubim” (v. 1), a clear picture of His royal rule from the holy place above the ark. Verse 5 then says, “Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool; He is holy!”. Understanding “His footstool” unlocks the verse’s full weight. Ancient Royal Imagery • In the Ancient Near East, a king’s throne included a small platform where his feet rested—a “footstool.” • It symbolized absolute authority: enemies were pictured as “under his feet” (Joshua 10:24). • To bow at the footstool was to acknowledge total submission to the king. Footstool in Scripture • The Ark / Temple: “Let us go to His dwelling place; let us worship at His footstool” (Psalm 132:7). David also calls the ark “the footstool of our God” (1 Chronicles 28:2). • The Earth: “‘Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool’” (Isaiah 66:1; cf. Matthew 5:35). • Messiah’s Enemies: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet” (Psalm 110:1). What ‘Worship at His Footstool’ Means in Psalm 99:5 • Literal Temple Setting: For Israel, it called them physically to the sanctuary, the earthly spot where God’s presence rested above the ark. Kneeling there meant honoring the King who had drawn near. • Posture of Humility: A worshiper at the footstool is not eye-to-eye with God but bowed low, confessing His supreme holiness. • Acknowledgment of Sovereignty: By using royal imagery, the psalmist urges the community to ascribe to God the complete authority He already possesses. • Accessible Yet Exalted: The King is transcendent, yet He graciously allows His people to approach—even if only to the level of His feet. Practical Takeaways for Today • Approach with awe: God is still “holy,” unchanged in majesty (Hebrews 12:28–29). • Draw near through Christ: We now have “confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19). The footstool imagery invites reverent closeness, not presumptuous casualness. • Bow the heart: Physical posture may vary, but true worship still means lowering ourselves under His rule (James 4:10). • Remember His dwelling place: Whether gathered with the church or alone, we consciously come before the same King who once manifested His glory between the cherubim. Key Supporting Scriptures • Psalm 99:1–3; 132:7 • Hebrews 10:19–22; 12:28–29 |
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