The LORD Reigneth

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-23-2026

Psalm 99

 

Introduction:

A.  Why such a Psalm? Hmmm, let me take a wild guess?  Because of me?  Because of you?  Because of circumstances?  Because of spiritual and physical hardships?  Because of finances?  Hmmm, the answer is yes!  Because we are human and often weak spiritually!

 

B.  What causes such spiritual conditions?  Unbelief!  Simple enough.  Though the Bible says:

 

1.  Trust in the LORD!  Aha, an all too familiar verse?  Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

2.  Be careful for NOTHING!  Aha, remember the verse we quote every Wednesday night?  Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  (7)  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

3.  Casting ALL your Care upon Him!  Yes, I remember!  1 Peter 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

4.  Put your confidence in the LORD!  Oh, Pastor, why are you doing this?  Because I need it!  Psalms 118:8-9  It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.  (9)  It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

 

Philippians 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

 

C.  I thought of other verses of Scripture that WE love to quote but, in times of adversity, they hardly ever come to mind.  God reminds us in Psalm 99!

 

D.  I want to look at this Psalm of Praise tonight because of the first three words, “The LORD reigneth.”  Again, I call your attention to the “eth” ending of the word “reign”.  This word expresses the truth of God’s sovereignty throughout the ages.  The LORD did reign, the LORD does reign, and the LORD will always reign.  You can take that to the bank!

 

E.  This Psalm reminds us that the LORD will be “LORD of all” today, tomorrow, and forever!.  No matter what comes; no matter what problems that we face; no matter what disappointments and discouragements that we endure; the LORD will be the LORD and He will continue to control all things.

 

Acts 10:36  The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

 

F.  The last verse of the Psalm exhorts us to 1)  “Exalt the LORD for He is our God”  and 2)  “Worship the LORD for He is holy.”

 

G.  “The LORD reigneth” speaks of His sovereignty, purpose, and power.  His sovereignty cannot be denied, His purpose cannot be hindered, and His power is unstoppable.

 

1.  Verse 1.  The LORD is sovereign in Heaven.  “He sitteth between the cheribums.”  He is LORD of heaven and, from there, controls His universe and all that is within it.

 

Isaiah 6:1-4  In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.  (2)  Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.  (3)  And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.  (4)  And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

 

2.  Verse 2.  The LORD is sovereign in Israel.  “The LORD is great in Zion.”  God still loves His covenant people and will graft the natural branch back in one day.  What we see in Israel today is controlled by God!

 

Psalms 102:16  When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.

 

3.  Verse 3.  The LORD is sovereign in His name.  “LORD.”  “I AM THAT I AM” means that He Self-existent and Eternal. Jehovah God!  He needs nothing or anybody, He needs no advice nor counsel, He knows everything, He can do all things and is ever present!  He is LORD! 

 

Isaiah 9:6-7  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  (7)  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

 

4.  Verse 4.  The LORD is sovereign in His Judgment.  “thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.”  Rest assured that God knows all that goes on and will make it right, His time and His way! The judgment of God will be a right judgment and a right reward.

 

Romans 2:2-3  But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.  (3)  And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

 

5.  Verse 5.  The LORD is sovereign in Our Praise.  “Exalt ye the LORD our God.”  We worship the LORD and Him alone!

 

Psalms 150:6  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

 

6.  Verse 6.  The LORD is sovereign in His Answers to Prayer.  “they called … He answered.”  When God answers our prayers, He will answer in a perfect way.  No matter where you are, no matter what you need!

 

Jeremiah 33:1-3  Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying,  (2)  Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name;  (3)  Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

 

7.  Verse 7.  The LORD is sovereign in His Word.  “they kept His testimonies.”  You can trust your Bible in life, salvation, and death.

 

Psalms 138:1-2  A Psalm of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.  (2)  I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

 

8.  Verse 8.  The LORD is sovereign in Forgiveness.  “thou wast a God that forgavest them.”  Oft times, we are slow to forgive but God is a God of forgiveness.  No matter what sin you have committed, failure that you have had, His ears are open to your cry and His arms are open to your embrace.

 

1 John 1:8-10  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (9)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (10)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

9.  The LORD is sovereign in in Holiness.  “for the LORD our God is holy.”  God will always do right!  God cannot and will not do wrong so His ways will be right ways.

 

1 John 1:5  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

 

Conclusion:  Because God is all these things, we need not fear or worry concerning this life as He holds our lives in His hands!