Though “high above all the peoples,” He came down to dwell “between the cherubim” (Ps 99:1-2).
As we look for patterns in nature and art, so the Bible is full of exquisite design. Psalm 99 shows first the pattern of a repeated conclusion, a one-line chorus. Section 1 (vv 1-3) ends with “Let them praise Your great and awesome name—He is holy” (v 3). Section 2 (vv 4-5) finishes with “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool—He is holy” (v 5). The conclusion of Section 3 (vv 6-9) and of the whole psalm reads, “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy” (v 9). Note also the many references to His sacred dwelling place: “He dwells between the cherubim” (v 1); “The Lord is great in Zion” (v 2); “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool” (v 5); “And worship at His holy hill” (v 9). When you link these two ideas of His habitation and His holiness, we can catch a glimpse of the scene in Isaiah 6, where the prophet “saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!’” (vv 1-3). We might also hear an echo of the Three-in-One God in Revelation 4:8, “The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’” We are also reminded here of three earthly intercessors: “Moses and Aaron…and Samuel…They called upon the Lord, and He answered them” (Ps 99:6). Is the God who “answered” and the “God-Who-Forgives” (v 8) looking for intercessors today? Are you willing?