TRV
Translation
Berean Standard Bible
Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
American Standard Version
Glory ye in his holy name: Let the heart of them rejoice that seek Jehovah.
World English Bible Messianic
Glory in his holy name. Let the heart of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Reioyce in his holy Name: let the heart of them that seeke the Lord, reioyce.
Young's Literal Translation
Boast yourselves in His Holy Name, The heart of those seeking Jehovah rejoiceth.
See also
In the KJVVerse 15,610 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 105 verses 1–7
1 ¶ O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
7 He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
Our devotion is here warmly excited; and we are stirred up, that we may stir up ourselves to praise God. Observe,
I. The duties to which we are here called, and they are many, but the tendency of them all is to give unto God the glory due unto his name. 1. We must give thanks to him, as one who has always been our bountiful benefactor and requires only that we give him thanks for his favours - poor returns for rich receivings. 2. Call upon his name, as one whom you depend upon for further favours. Praying for further mercies is accepted as an acknowledgment of former mercies. Because he has inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him. 3. Make known his deeds (Psa 105:1), that others may join with you in praising him. Talk of all his wondrous works (Psa 105:2), as we talk of things that we are full of, and much affected with, and desire to fill others with. God's wondrous works ought to be the subject of our familiar discourses with our families and friends, and we should talk of them as we sit in the house and as we go by the way (Deu 6:7), not merely for entertainment, but for the exciting of devotion and the encouraging of our own and others' faith and hope in God. Even sacred things may be the matter of common talk, provided it be with due reverence. 4. Sing psalms to God's honour, as those that rejoice in him, and desire to testify that joy for the encouragement of others and to transmit it to posterity, as memorable things anciently were handed down by songs, when writing was scarce. 5. Glory in his holy name; let those that are disposed to glory not boast of their own accomplishments and achievements, but of their acquaintance with God and their relation to him, Jer 9:23, Jer 9:24. Praise you his holy name, so some; but it comes all to one, for in glorying in him we give glory to him. 6. Seek him; place your happiness in him, and then pursue that happiness in all the ways that he has appointed. Seek the Lord and his strength, that is, the ark of his strength; seek him in the sanctuary, in the way wherein he has appointed us to seek him. Seek his strength, that is, his grace, the strength of his Spirit to work in you that which is good, which we cannot do but by strength derived from him, for which he will be enquired of. Seek the Lord and be strengthened; so divers ancient versions read it. Those that would be strengthened in the inward man must fetch in strength from God by faith and prayer. Seek his strength, and then seek his face; for by his strength, we hope to prevail with him for his favour, as Jacob did, Hos 12:3. "Seek his face evermore; seek to have his favour to eternity, and therefore continue seeking it to the end of the time of your probation. Seek it while you live in this world, and you shall have it while you live in the other world, and even there shall be for ever seeking it in an infinite progression, and yet be for ever satisfied in it." 7. Let the hearts of those rejoice that do seek him (Psa 105:3); for they have chosen well, are well fixed, and well employed, and they may be sure that their labour will not be in vain, for he will not only be found, but he will be found the rewarder of those that diligently seek him. If those have reason to rejoice that seek the Lord, much more those that have found him.
II. Some arguments to quicken us to these duties. 1. "Consider both what he has said and what he has done to engage us for ever to him. You will see yourselves under all possible obligations to give thanks to him, and call upon his name, if you remember the wonders which should make deep and durable impressions upon you, - the wonders of his providence which he has wrought for you and those who are gone before you, the marvellous works that he has done, which will be had in everlasting remembrance with the thoughtful and with the grateful, - the wonders of his law, which he has written to you, and entrusted you with, the judgments of his mouth, as well as the judgments of his hand," Psa 105:5. 2. "Consider the relation you stand in to him (Psa 105:6): You are the seed of Abraham his servant; you are born in his house, and being thereby entitled to the privilege of his servants, protection and provision, you are also bound to do the duty of servants, to attend your Master, consult his honour, obey his commands, and do what you can to advance his interests. You are the children of Jacob his chosen, and are chosen and beloved for the fathers' sake, and therefore ought to tread in the steps of those whose honours you inherit. You are the children of godly parents; do no degenerate. You are God's church upon earth, and, if you do not praise him, who should?" 3. Consider your interest in him: He is the Lord our God, Psa 105:7. We depend upon him, are devoted to him, and from him our expectation is. Should not a people seek unto their God (Isa 8:19) and praise their God? Dan 5:4. He is Jehovah our God. He that is our God is self-existent and self-sufficient, has an irresistible power and incontestable sovereignty: His judgments are in all the earth; he governs the whole world in wisdom, and gives law to all nations, even to those that know him not. The earth is full of the proofs of his power.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–7. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 105
"O sing unto Him, and play on instruments unto Him" [Psalm 105:2]. Praise Him both by word and deed; for we sing with the voice, while we play with an instrument, that is, with our hands. "Let your talking be of all His wondrous works. Be praise in His holy Name" [Psalm 105:3]. These two verses may without any absurdity seem paraphrases of the two words above; so that, "Let your talking be of all His wondrous works," may express the words, "O sing unto Him;" and what follows, "be ye praised in His holy Name," may be referred to the words, "and play on instruments unto Him;" the former relating to the "good word" wherewith we sing unto Him, in which His wondrous works are told; the latter to the good work, in which sweet music is played unto Him, so that no man may wish to be praised for a good work on the score of his own power to do it. For this reason, after saying, "be ye praised," which assuredly they who work well deservedly may, he added, "in His holy Name," since "he that glories, let him glory in the Lord." [1 Corinthians 1:31] ...This is to be praised in His holy Name. Whence we read also in another Psalm: "My soul shall be praised in the Lord: let the meek hear thereof, and be glad;" which here in a sense follows, "Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord:" for thus the meek are glad, who do not rival with a bitter jealousy those whom they imitate as already workers of good.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 105:3 stands as a profound exhortation and promise, inviting believers to find their ultimate boast and delight in the very character and authority of God. It calls for an active, heartfelt celebration of His distinct, set-apart nature, ensuring that those who diligently pursue Him will experience a deep, abiding joy that originates from a genuine relationship with the Creator. This verse encapsulates the essence of true worship, which is rooted in reverence for God's identity and a joyful response to His divine presence.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 105:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The verse begins with an Imperative ("Glory ye"), a direct command that lends urgency and authority to the call for worship, urging the audience to active participation. This is followed by a form of Parallelism, specifically synthetic or perhaps synonymous, where the second clause ("let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD") expands upon and reinforces the first. Glorying in God's name is intrinsically linked to the joy experienced by those who diligently seek Him, showing cause and effect or two facets of the same spiritual reality. The use of "heart" is a classic example of Metonymy, where a part (the heart) stands for the whole person's inner life—their emotions, intellect, and will. This emphasizes that the rejoicing is not merely an outward expression but a deep, internal, and holistic experience. The repetition of the concept of God's "name" throughout the Psalter and its prominence here also highlights its Emphasis as the ultimate revelation of God's character and the proper object of worship.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 105:3 stands as a foundational statement on the nature of true worship and the blessedness of a relationship with God. Theologically, it underscores God's absolute sovereignty and holiness, asserting that He alone is worthy of ultimate glory and boast. It challenges humanity to reorient its affections and allegiances, shifting from self-glory or worldly pursuits to finding supreme satisfaction in the Creator. The promise of joy for those who "seek the LORD" reveals a core biblical truth: God rewards diligence in spiritual pursuit with profound inner delight and a deeper experience of His presence. This joy is not circumstantial but flows from the secure knowledge of God's character and His covenant faithfulness, which the rest of Psalm 105 so vividly recounts. It affirms that genuine spiritual seeking is always met by divine revelation and blessing, confirming God's desire for intimate fellowship with His people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Psalms 105:3 offers a timeless and transformative directive. To "glory in His holy name" means to consciously make God the absolute center of our lives, finding our ultimate satisfaction, confidence, and honor in Him alone. This involves more than passive acknowledgment; it demands an active, joyful declaration of His supreme nature through our words, actions, and worship. It calls us to boast not in our achievements, possessions, or status, but in the character and works of the One who is truly glorious. Furthermore, the verse encourages a consistent and intentional "seeking of the LORD." This is a lifelong journey of diligent pursuit through prayer, immersive study of God's Word, active participation in Christian community, and obedience to His commands. When we earnestly engage in this spiritual quest, the promised outcome is a deep, abiding joy that transcends fleeting happiness or external circumstances. This divine rejoicing, originating from the heart, is the fruit of a vibrant, authentic relationship with our Creator, empowering us to live lives that genuinely reflect His glory.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "glory ye in his holy name" truly mean for a modern believer?
Answer: For a modern believer, "glory ye in his holy name" is an active, joyful, and often public declaration of God's unique character and supreme authority. It means finding our ultimate pride, honor, and satisfaction in Him alone, acknowledging His holiness, power, and perfect nature. This involves a fundamental reorientation of our lives: instead of seeking glory for ourselves, our accomplishments, or worldly possessions, we make God the center of our boast. Practically, this translates into praising Him with our words and songs, living a life that reflects His commands and values, and testifying to His goodness and faithfulness in the world. It is a shift from self-centeredness to God-centeredness, recognizing that all true glory belongs to Him, as echoed in Psalm 29:2, which calls us to "ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name."
How does seeking the Lord lead to joy, and what does "seeking" entail?
Answer: "Seeking the LORD" (Hebrew: bâqash) entails an earnest, intentional, and diligent pursuit of God's presence, His will, and a deeper knowledge of Him. It's not a casual interest but a heartfelt quest that involves active engagement of our whole being. This pursuit typically includes consistent prayer, immersive study of God's Word, faithful participation in Christian community, and obedience to His commands. This active seeking leads to joy because it deepens our relationship with the Creator, aligning our hearts and desires with His. The joy promised is not merely fleeting happiness but a profound, abiding spiritual delight that flows from knowing and experiencing God's faithfulness, love, and presence. It is the blessed outcome of drawing near to Him, a promise reiterated throughout Scripture, such as in Jeremiah 29:13, where God assures us that when we seek Him with all our heart, we will find Him.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 105:3 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's "holy name," for in Him "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" (Colossians 1:19). When we are commanded to "glory ye in his holy name," the New Testament reveals that this glorying is now supremely directed towards the name of Jesus, "the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:9-11), before which every knee will bow. Our boast is no longer in our own righteousness or accomplishments, but entirely in Christ Jesus, "who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord'" (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). Furthermore, Jesus perfectly exemplified what it means to "seek the LORD," living a life of perfect obedience and constant communion with the Father. He Himself promised that His joy would be in us, and our joy would be full (John 15:11), a joy that flows from abiding in Him and His words. Thus, the heart that truly rejoices in seeking the LORD today does so by seeking Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and in whose name we are called to do everything (Colossians 3:17).