Psalms 29:2

KJV

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Give {H3051} unto the LORD {H3068} the glory {H3519} due unto his name {H8034}; worship {H7812} the LORD {H3068} in the beauty {H1927} of holiness {H6944}.

Complete Jewish Bible

give ADONAI the glory due his name; worship ADONAI in holy splendor.

Berean Standard Bible

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.

American Standard Version

Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name; Worship Jehovah in holy array.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 29:2 serves as a profound imperative, calling all creation to offer Yahweh the worship and honor that is intrinsically His. Following a majestic depiction of God's voice thundering over creation, this verse commands a response that is both appropriate to His supreme authority and reflective of His inherent holiness. It articulates not only the *object* of worship—the Lord, whose name embodies His very being and attributes—but also the *manner* of worship, emphasizing that true adoration must be characterized by the "beauty of holiness," a posture of reverence, purity, and sacred awe.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 29 is a majestic "hymn of Yahweh's kingship," often referred to as the "Psalm of the Seven Thunders" due to its repeated refrain, "the voice of the LORD" (`qol Yahweh`). The psalm opens with a direct call to the "sons of God" (or "heavenly beings") to ascribe glory to the Lord (Psalm 29:1-2). This initial command sets the stage for the body of the psalm (Psalm 29:3-9), which vividly portrays God's powerful voice manifesting in a terrifying thunderstorm, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over all creation, from the waters to the wilderness. The psalm culminates in a declaration of God's eternal kingship and His promise to bless His people with strength and peace (Psalm 29:10-11). Within this structure, [Psalm 29:2](/psalms/29-2 "Psalm 29:2 - A Call to Worship") functions as the foundational command, establishing the proper human (and celestial) response to the awe-inspiring revelation of God's power described in the subsequent verses. It is a liturgical opening, inviting participation in the worship of the cosmic King.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed likely during a period when the Israelites were surrounded by polytheistic cultures, particularly those influenced by Canaanite religion, Psalm 29 offers a powerful theological counter-narrative. The Canaanites worshipped Baal as a storm god, believing he controlled the rain, thunder, and fertility. This psalm intentionally uses imagery and language reminiscent of Baal myths (e.g., thunder, mighty waters, cedars of Lebanon) but emphatically reassigns all power and glory to Yahweh alone. It asserts Yahweh's unique and unrivaled sovereignty over nature, demonstrating that He, not Baal, is the true cosmic King who "sits enthroned over the flood" ([Psalm 29:10](/psalms/29-10 "Psalm 29:10 - The Lord Sits Enthroned")). The call to "worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness" likely refers to worship conducted in the sanctuary or temple, a place set apart for God's holy presence, emphasizing the sacredness and reverence required in His presence, contrasting with the often licentious worship practices of surrounding pagan cults.
* **Key Themes:** The central themes of [Psalm 29](/psalms/29 "Psalm 29 - The Voice of the Lord") revolve around the **sovereignty and majesty of God**. The "voice of the LORD" is not merely a sound but an active, creative, and destructive force, demonstrating His absolute control over the natural world. This display of divine power elicits the theme of **due worship and adoration**, underscoring that God's inherent worth demands a specific, reverent response from His creation. The verse also introduces the theme of **holiness in worship**, emphasizing that the *manner* of our approach to God must align with His pure and set-apart character. This call to worship "in the beauty of holiness" implies that true worship is not merely external ritual but an internal disposition of purity, reverence, and moral integrity. This theme resonates throughout the Psalms, where the righteous are called to [draw near to God with clean hands and a pure heart](/psalms/24-4 "Psalm 24:4 - Who May Ascend the Hill of the Lord?"), reflecting His own sacred nature. Ultimately, the psalm affirms God's **eternal kingship** and His unwavering commitment to bless His people with strength and peace, even amidst the awe-inspiring display of His power, as seen in [Psalm 29:11](/psalms/29-11 "Psalm 29:11 - The Lord Blesses His People").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Glory (Hebrew, _kabod_):** This word literally means "weight," "heaviness," or "substance." In a theological context, it refers to the inherent worth, splendor, honor, and majesty of God. To "give glory" to the LORD is not to bestow something He lacks, but to acknowledge, declare, and attribute to Him the honor and intrinsic worth that is already and eternally His. It is a recognition of His substantial reality, His weighty presence, and His supreme dignity.
* **Beauty of Holiness (Hebrew, _hadrat-qodesh_):** This phrase is rich with meaning. `Hadrat` signifies "splendor," "majesty," "adornment," or "beauty." `Qodesh` means "holiness" or "sacredness," referring to that which is set apart for God, pure, and consecrated. Thus, "beauty of holiness" suggests that holiness itself is beautiful and that worship should be adorned with, or characterized by, this beauty of purity and sacred reverence. It implies that our worship should reflect God's own pure, set-apart, and majestic nature, encompassing both outward reverence and an inward disposition of moral integrity and spiritual purity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name":** This is an imperative command, a direct call to action. "Give unto the LORD" (הָבוּ לַיהוָה, _habu la-YHWH_) is a summons to ascribe, to acknowledge, and to declare. The "glory due unto his name" emphasizes that God's glory is not arbitrary but is His rightful possession, inherent in His very being and revealed character (His "name"). It is a call to recognize and respond to His intrinsic worth, power, and majesty, offering Him the praise and honor that perfectly corresponds to who He is. This phrase highlights the objective reality of God's glory, independent of human recognition, yet demanding such recognition.
* **"worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness":** This second imperative specifies the *manner* of worship. The verb "worship" (הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ, _hishtachavu_) often implies prostration, a posture of ultimate humility and reverence. To do so "in the beauty of holiness" signifies that worship must be conducted with a profound sense of God's sacredness and purity. It implies that our worship should be adorned with purity of heart, moral integrity, and a deep reverence for God's set-apart nature. This is not merely about aesthetic beauty but about the intrinsic splendor of a life and act of worship that is consecrated and dedicated to God, reflecting His own character.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 29:2 powerfully employs several literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is the **Imperative Mood**, seen in the direct commands "Give" (`habu`) and "worship" (`hishtachavu`). These are not suggestions but authoritative summonses, underscoring the non-negotiable nature of God's demand for worship. There is also a strong sense of **Parallelism**, specifically **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first. While "giving glory" and "worshipping in the beauty of holiness" are distinct, they are deeply interconnected, with the latter describing the *quality* of the former. The phrase "beauty of holiness" functions as a **Metaphor** or **Symbolism**, where holiness is not just an abstract concept but is personified as something possessing inherent splendor and adornment. This device elevates holiness from a mere moral quality to a radiant attribute that should characterize all true worship, making it aesthetically and spiritually pleasing to God. The entire psalm, including this verse, is also rich in **Anthropomorphism** (ascribing human characteristics to God, e.g., "the voice of the LORD") and **Theophany** (manifestation of God), as God's power is revealed through the storm, making the call to worship in Psalm 29:2 an appropriate and awe-filled response to divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 29:2 stands as a foundational statement on the nature of true worship, deeply interwoven with the broader biblical narrative of God's sovereignty and humanity's proper response. It asserts that worship is not a human invention or a means to an end, but an inherent obligation stemming from God's intrinsic worth and supreme authority. The call to "give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name" echoes the constant biblical refrain that all creation exists to glorify its Creator. Furthermore, the emphasis on "worship in the beauty of holiness" connects directly to God's own nature as holy and His consistent demand for His people to reflect that holiness in their lives and worship. This verse reminds us that genuine worship is both an outward act of ascription and an inward state of purity and reverence, a holistic offering of self to the Holy One.

* [1 Chronicles 16:29](/1_chronicles/16-29 "1 Chronicles 16:29 - Ascribe to the LORD Glory"): "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." (Direct parallel, showing the liturgical context).
* [Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - Worship with Reverence"): "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." (Emphasizes the reverence and fear required in worship).
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy"): "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." (Connects God's holiness to the call for His people to be holy, which undergirds worship in "beauty of holiness").

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 29:2 provides timeless guidance for authentic worship in the life of every believer. It challenges us to move beyond superficial or self-serving acts of devotion and to engage in worship that is truly God-centered. To "give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name" means consciously acknowledging His supreme worth, power, and authority in every facet of our lives, not just during formal gatherings. It calls for a life lived in recognition of His sovereignty, where our words, actions, and attitudes consistently reflect His honor. Furthermore, to "worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness" compels us to examine the state of our hearts. True worship is not merely about outward expressions but about an inward disposition of purity, reverence, and moral integrity. It demands that we approach God with clean hands and a pure heart, striving to live lives consecrated to Him, reflecting His own set-apart nature. This means pursuing personal holiness, confessing sin, and living in obedience, allowing the beauty of God's character to adorn our worship and our daily walk.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways can I "give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name" in my daily life, beyond formal worship settings?**
* **What does "the beauty of holiness" mean for my personal worship and my corporate worship experiences? How can I cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and purity in my approach to God?**
* **How does understanding God's majestic power, as depicted in Psalm 29, impact my desire and capacity to worship Him with awe and humility?**
* **Are there areas in my life where my actions or attitudes contradict the call to worship God in the "beauty of holiness"?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean to "worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness" today?**

Answer: To "worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness" means that our worship, whether corporate or individual, should be characterized by an internal state of purity, reverence, and consecration, which then manifests in our external expressions. It's not primarily about aesthetic beauty in a performance sense, but about the intrinsic splendor of a heart and life set apart for God. Practically, this involves approaching God with a clean conscience, having confessed sin and sought His forgiveness, and with a sincere desire to honor Him above all else. It implies a deep respect for God's sacredness and a commitment to living a life that reflects His holy character, as called for in [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy"). Our worship should be adorned with integrity, humility, and genuine awe, reflecting the "beauty" of God's own perfect holiness. This also extends to how we live our lives outside of formal worship, as our entire existence can be an act of worship ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 29:2 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of God's glory, the very radiance of God's being, through whom all things were created and sustained ([Colossians 1:15-17](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15-17 - Christ is the Image of the Invisible God")). In Jesus, we see the "glory due unto his name" fully revealed, for He is the [Word who became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"). Moreover, Christ is the one who enables us to "worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." Through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, He has made a way for us to be cleansed from sin and made holy, allowing us to approach God's throne with confidence and purity ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access Through Christ's Blood")). He is both the object of our worship and the means by which we can offer acceptable worship. As our great High Priest, He continually intercedes for us, presenting our worship, imperfect though it may be, as beautiful and holy before the Father ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ Our High Priest")). Thus, through Christ, we are empowered to offer the glory due to God's name, not in our own merit, but in the radiant holiness imputed and imparted by Him, becoming a holy temple in the Lord ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - A Holy Temple in the Lord")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 96:8

Give unto the LORD the glory [due unto] his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

Psalms 96:9

O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

1 Chronicles 16:28

Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

1 Chronicles 16:29

Give unto the LORD the glory [due] unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Psalms 110:3

Thy people [shall be] willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

2 Chronicles 20:21

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

Psalms 97:9

For thou, LORD, [art] high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.