Psalm 99:1-3
The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2 The LORD is great in Zion;
he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name!
Holy is he!
You may have read books or articles that feature sentences followed by multiple exclamation points that apparently denote something very important and the author is very certain about it. I am not sure how I feel about multiple exclamation points!!!!!! Biblical Hebrew has no punctuation whatsoever, let alone exclamation points but, if they did, I predict there would be at least as many as the translators have placed in these verses. My question is, why is there not one in verse 2? That would make five. Reading this, I imagine how it was sung and I cannot imagine it was sung slowly and quietly. I can imagine that it was sung loud and with loud cymbals and dancing. I’m almost certain!!!!
I hope that your last worship service was filled with exclamation points as you sang, praised, and listened to the Lord. I would also hope that if someone wrote a transcript of your singing and praying, each sentence would be followed by an exclamation point. This is because that is what worship is; an exclamation of the greatness of God and a proclamation of his gospel to those who need to hear it for hope in this broken world. May your day be filled with exclamation points as you marvel at God’s creation and your salvation. Praise the Lord!!
O Heavenly Father, you reign and are greatly to be praised! May our exclamation be heard as we proclaim what you have done for us in saving us. In Jesus’ name. Amen!