1The LORD reigns; let the nations tremble! He is enthroned above the cherubim; let the earth quake! 2Great is the LORD in Zion; He is exalted above all the peoples. 3Let them praise Your great and awesome name— He is holy! 4The mighty King loves justice. You have established equity; You have exercised justice and righteousness in Jacob. 5Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool; He is holy! 6Moses and Aaron were among His priests; Samuel was among those who called on His name. They called to the LORD and He answered. 7He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept His decrees and the statutes He gave them. 8O LORD our God, You answered them. You were a forgiving God to them, yet an avenger of their misdeeds. 9Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
The happy government God's people are under. (1-5) Its happy administration. (6-9) 1-5 God governs the world by his providence, governs the church by his grace, and both by his Son. The inhabitants of the earth have cause to tremble, but the Redeemer still waits to be gracious. Let all who hear, take warning, and seek his mercy. The more we humble ourselves before God, the more we exalt him; and let us be thus reverent, for he is holy. 6-9 The happiness of Israel is made out by referring to the most useful governors of that people. They in every thing made God's word and law their rule, knowing that they could not else expect that their prayers should be answered. They all wonderfully prevailed with God in prayer; miracles were wrought at their request. They pleaded for the people, and obtained answers of peace. Our Prophet and High Priest, of infinitely greater dignity than Moses, Aaron, or Samuel, has received and declared to us the will of the Father. Let us not only exalt the Lord with our lips, but give him the throne in our heart; and while we worship him upon his mercy-seat, let us never forget that he is holy.