“The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?” (Psalm 113:4-6 TPT)
The other day my Bible reading took me through Psalm 99:1-5. The first part of this sounds like lots of other psalms of praise.
Yahweh is King over all! Everyone trembles in awe before him. He rules enthroned between the wings of the cherubim. So let the earth shake and quake in wonder before him! For Yahweh is great and glorious in the midst of his Zion-people. He is exalted above all! Let everyone praise this breathtaking God, for he is holy. A lover of justice is our mighty King; he is right in all his ways. He insists on being fair to all, promoting true justice and righteousness in Jacob. So everyone, exalt the Lord our God facedown before his glory-throne, for he is great and holy.
The word “facedown” caught me, probably because I remember a song from a few years back by Matt Redman by that title.
Welcomed in to the courts of the King
I’ve been ushered in to Your presence
Lord, I stand on Your merciful ground
Yet with every step tread with reverence
And I’ll fall facedown
As Your glory shines around
Yes, I’ll fall facedown
As Your glory shines around
Who is there in the heavens like You?
And upon the earth, who’s Your equal?
You are far above, You’re the highest of heights
We are bowing down to exalt You
The last line – “We are bowing down to exalt you” – resonates with Psalm 99:5. “So everyone, exalt the Lord our God facedown before his glory-throne, for he is great and holy.” (TPT). In that verse there is an “upward” and a “downward” view – to exalt the Lord our God is to raise him up. To fall facedown before his throne is the opposite motion. In our bowing down we then raise up or exalt God. Numerous times in Scripture we find these opposite motions. For example: “Now and forever my heart bows in worship to you, my King and my God! Every day I will lift up my praise to your name with praises that will last throughout eternity.” (Psalm 145:1-2 TPT)
Today, let us go low to raise God high.
God,
You and your glory are high above the earth and you welcome us into the holy courts of our King. You are far above the highest of heights, and we bow down to exalt you. In our minds, hearts, and spirits, help us humble ourselves before you so you can lift us up. Facedown, we exalt you for you are holy. We praise your name today and for eternity. AMEN.
“Yahweh is King over all! Everyone trembles in awe before him.
He rules enthroned between the wings of the cherubim.
So let the earth shake and quake in wonder before him!
For Yahweh is great and glorious in the midst of his Zion-people.
He is exalted above all!
Let everyone praise this breathtaking God, for he is holy.
A lover of justice is our mighty King; he is right in all his ways.
He insists on being fair to all,
promoting true justice and righteousness in Jacob.
So everyone, exalt the Lord our God
facedown before his glory-throne, for he is great and holy.
God has his praying priests,
like Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, who all interceded,
asking God for help.
God heard their cries and came to their rescue.
He spoke to them from the pillar of clouds,
and they followed his instructions,
doing everything he told them.
God, the great forgiver, answered their prayers,
yet he would punish them when they went astray.
Keep exalting the Lord our God
facedown before his glory-throne, for he is great and holy!” (Psalm 99:1-9 TPT)