Glory and Strength

Psalm 96

⁶ Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

⁷ Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

⁸ Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts.

⁹ Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.

Psalm 96 speaks of the Lord’s Splendor, Majesty, Glory and Strength. The Hebrew word hadar which translates into splendor, majesty and glory derives from clothing that provides honor and beauty to the wearer. Picture the military officers of old with their brilliant plumes on their hats and shiny decorations on their breasts and that exhibits their strength as well. One’s outer appearance naturally reflects and affects one’s inner character.

In the Lord’s case, words are simply not enough to ascribe the real nature of His holiness. It is not something that merely causes us to stand in respect or plain awe but in humbling fear – in worshipful trembling – similar to what we often feel when we stand before people of authority and power.

However, this is not the final intention of the psalmist or of God – that is, to cause us to cower with fright before Him – but to lead us to the saving and healing benefits of worship. Hence, the psalm begins with these verses:

¹ Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.

² Sing to the LORD, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.

³ Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

⁴ For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.

⁵ For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.

Who made the heavens? Only one who has all the power and the rightful claim to honor and praise from humans – the Lord our Creator. Only one who truly cares for us and loves us by giving us the treasures of the Earth.

The psalm then gives that line we often sing, “The Lord Reigns”. Who can sit on the throne of glory? Only one who has put law, order and certainty in the Universe. For this, the Heavens and the Earth and all of nature rejoice and sing for joy.

¹⁰ Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns."
The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.

¹¹ Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it;

¹² let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;

Finally, the psalmist presents the reason for this celebration: “The Lord comes to judge the earth.” Who can judge in righteousness and in truth? Only one who has the power to destroy those who do not recognize His Splendor, Majesty, Glory and do not live according to His compassionate Strength.

¹³ they will sing before the LORD, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in his truth.

What a great privilege we have to sing and to praise God! He reigns and He comes.