Psalms 96:6

KJV

Honour and majesty [are] before him: strength and beauty [are] in his sanctuary.

KJV (with Strong's)

Honour {H1935} and majesty {H1926} are before {H6440} him: strength {H5797} and beauty {H8597} are in his sanctuary {H4720}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In his presence are honor and majesty; in his sanctuary, strength and splendor.

Berean Standard Bible

Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty fill His sanctuary.

American Standard Version

Honor and majesty are before him: Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 96:6 is a profound declaration of God's inherent, majestic attributes and their tangible manifestation within His sacred presence. It proclaims that "Honour and majesty are before him," signifying His intrinsic glory and royal dignity, while "strength and beauty are in his sanctuary," indicating the powerful and radiant perfection that permeates His dwelling place. This verse serves as a foundational statement for the psalm's broader call to universal worship, inviting all creation to acknowledge the incomparable greatness and awe-inspiring nature of the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 96 stands as a vibrant call to worship, urging all the earth to sing praises to the Lord and declare His salvation among the nations. It is part of a collection often referred to as "enthronement psalms" (Psalms 93-99), which celebrate God's universal reign, His sovereignty over creation, and His coming to judge the earth in righteousness. The psalm begins with a universal summons to "Sing to the Lord a new song" found in [Psalms 96:1](/psalms/96-1 "A Call to Sing to the Lord") and progresses to contrast the Lord's incomparable greatness with the impotence of idols, as highlighted in [Psalms 96:5](/psalms/96-5 "The Lord is Great and Worthy of Praise"). Verse 6, specifically, grounds this call to worship in the inherent and manifest attributes of God, providing the theological basis for the reverence and adoration demanded throughout the psalm. It transitions from the general declaration of God's greatness to a more specific description of His glorious presence.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Psalms were the hymnbook and prayer book of ancient Israel, reflecting their understanding of God within their historical and cultural milieu. The concept of a "sanctuary" was central to Israelite worship, referring primarily to the Tabernacle in the wilderness and later the Temple in Jerusalem, where God's presence was believed to dwell uniquely among His people, as commanded in [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "The Command to Build the Sanctuary"). This physical structure served as a tangible point of encounter with the divine. The psalm's emphasis on God's "honour," "majesty," "strength," and "beauty" would have resonated deeply with a culture that understood kingship in terms of power, splendor, and the ability to establish justice. The contrast with "all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols" in [Psalms 96:5](/psalms/96-5 "Idols are Worthless") highlights the monotheistic conviction of Israel against the polytheistic worship of surrounding nations, where deities were often seen as limited, capricious, or tied to specific geographical locations.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalm 96 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores the **sovereignty and uniqueness of God**, presenting Him as the supreme King whose attributes are incomparable to any earthly ruler or false deity. Secondly, it emphasizes the **holiness and glory of God's presence**, particularly as manifested in His "sanctuary," which serves as a focal point for worship and encounter. This theme is echoed throughout the Psalms, where the beauty and desirability of God's dwelling place are often celebrated, as seen in [Psalms 27:4](/psalms/27-4 "Desiring to Dwell in the House of the Lord"). Thirdly, the verse fuels the theme of **universal worship**, providing the divine characteristics that compel all nations to "ascribe to the Lord glory and strength" as called for in [Psalms 96:7](/psalms/96-7 "Ascribe to the Lord Glory and Strength"). The attributes described in this verse are not merely abstract concepts but active, compelling realities that demand a response of adoration and submission from all creation, preparing the way for the ultimate judgment of the earth in righteousness, as declared in [Psalms 96:13](/psalms/96-13 "He Comes to Judge the Earth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Honour (Hebrew, _hôwd'_):** From an unused root, this term signifies grandeur, an imposing form and appearance. It conveys the idea of outward radiance, majesty, and splendor that commands respect and adoration. In the context of God, it speaks to His inherent, awe-inspiring dignity and the majestic aura that surrounds His divine person.
* **Majesty (Hebrew, _hâdâr'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to expand, be great," this word denotes magnificence, ornament, or splendor. It emphasizes the adornment and magnificent beauty that evoke awe and reverence. Paired with "honour," it reinforces the concept of God's supreme, intrinsic greatness and the regal bearing that defines His presence.
* **Sanctuary (Hebrew, _miqdâsh'_):** From the root meaning "to be holy," this term refers to a consecrated thing or place, specifically a holy place or temple. It represents the sacred space where God's presence is uniquely manifested and where His people can encounter Him. It is the locus where His divine attributes are most tangibly displayed and experienced.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Honour and majesty [are] before him":** This phrase emphasizes the perpetual and inherent presence of God's supreme glory and royal dignity. The preposition "before him" (Hebrew, _pânîym_) suggests that these attributes are not merely external decorations but are intrinsic to His very being, constantly radiating from His immediate presence. They are the qualities that define His sphere of influence and interaction, demanding reverence and awe from all who approach Him, whether in heaven or on earth.
* **"strength and beauty [are] in his sanctuary":** This clause describes how God's power and radiant perfection are uniquely manifested within His dwelling place, whether the earthly Tabernacle/Temple or, ultimately, His heavenly abode. The sanctuary is the locus where His divine attributes are most tangibly experienced by His people, serving as a visible testament to His omnipotence and the captivating splendor of His holy character. It is a place where His presence is palpable, inspiring both awe and adoration, and where His attributes are displayed for His people to behold and worship.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 96:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically a form of synonymous parallelism where the two clauses reinforce and expand upon each other. "Honour and majesty before him" finds a complementary echo in "strength and beauty in his sanctuary," suggesting that the divine attributes are both inherent to God's person and manifest in His sacred dwelling. There is also an element of **Metonymy**, where "sanctuary" represents not just a physical place but the very presence and sphere of God's activity and revelation. The attributes themselves are presented almost as if they are tangible entities that "are" before Him and "in" His sanctuary, a subtle form of **Personification** that imbues these abstract qualities with a dynamic, active presence. This rich poetic language serves to elevate the description of God, making His glory not just a concept but a palpable reality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 96:6 offers a profound theological statement about the nature of God, presenting Him as intrinsically glorious, powerful, and beautiful, with these attributes radiating from His very being and permeating His sacred space. This understanding of God's inherent majesty and manifest presence forms the bedrock of biblical worship, inviting humanity to respond with awe, reverence, and adoration. The verse challenges any notion of a distant or diminished deity, asserting God's active and glorious presence among His people and throughout His creation. It highlights that true worship is not merely an act but a response to the overwhelming reality of who God is.

* [1 Chronicles 16:27](/1_chronicles/16-27 "Glory and Honor in His Presence")
* [Psalm 29:4](/psalms/29-4 "The Voice of the Lord is Full of Majesty")
* [Psalm 8:1](/psalms/8-1 "O Lord, Our Lord, How Majestic is Your Name!")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 96:6 calls us to a deeper, more reverent understanding of God's character and presence. In a world often distracted by fleeting glories and superficial attractions, this verse redirects our gaze to the eternal and unchanging splendor of the Almighty. Recognizing that "honour and majesty are before him" should cultivate a profound sense of awe, prompting us to approach God with humility and respect, rather than casual familiarity. Furthermore, knowing that "strength and beauty are in his sanctuary" encourages us to actively seek His presence, whether in corporate worship, personal devotion, or through the study of His Word. It reminds us that in His presence, we encounter not only power but also a radiant perfection that transforms. Our worship, our lives, and our witness should reflect the greatness of the God we serve, inspiring us to live in a way that honors His name and declares His glory to a world desperately in need of His truth and grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's inherent "honour and majesty" impact your personal worship and prayer life?**
* **In what ways do you actively seek to encounter God's "strength and beauty" in your daily life, beyond formal worship settings?**
* **How can recognizing God's incomparable attributes motivate you to share His glory with others, as the psalm encourages?**
* **What idols or lesser glories in your life might be hindering your full appreciation of God's supreme majesty?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "sanctuary" in Psalms 96:6?**

Answer: The "sanctuary" in Psalms 96:6 refers primarily to the earthly dwelling place of God among His people—initially the Tabernacle, and later the Temple in Jerusalem. It was the physical space where God's presence was uniquely manifested and where His people could draw near to Him in worship and sacrifice. However, it also carries a broader theological meaning, pointing to God's heavenly dwelling, His holy presence wherever it is revealed, and ultimately, the very sphere of His divine being. The significance is that God's attributes of strength and beauty are not abstract concepts but are tangibly present and experienced in the place where He chooses to dwell and reveal Himself, making it a locus of awe and adoration. This concept is foundational to understanding God's desire to dwell among His people, as seen throughout the biblical narrative, from the wilderness tabernacle to the ultimate new creation described in [Revelation 21](/revelation/21 "The New Heaven and New Earth").

**How do "honour and majesty" differ from "strength and beauty" in this verse?**

Answer: While all four terms describe aspects of God's glory, they emphasize different facets. "Honour" (Hebrew, _hôwd_) and "majesty" (Hebrew, _hâdâr_) tend to describe God's intrinsic, regal splendor and dignity—the awe-inspiring glory that radiates from His very being, making Him worthy of ultimate respect and adoration. These are qualities that are "before him," inherent to His person, indicative of His divine nature and supreme kingship. "Strength" (Hebrew, _ʻôz_) and "beauty" (Hebrew, _tiphʼârâh_), on the other hand, highlight His omnipotence and His radiant perfection, often in terms of their manifestation. These are qualities found "in his sanctuary," emphasizing how His power and glorious perfection are displayed and experienced in His holy dwelling place, making His presence both formidable and captivating. Together, they paint a comprehensive picture of a God who is both supremely powerful and perfectly glorious, whose attributes are both inherent and actively revealed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 96:6 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's "honour and majesty," being the "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" as declared in [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "The Radiance of God's Glory"). In Him, the divine attributes are not merely "before him" but are perfectly incarnated, for He is "the image of the invisible God" as revealed in [Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "The Image of the Invisible God"). Furthermore, Jesus is the true "sanctuary" where God's "strength and beauty" are fully revealed. John's Gospel declares that "the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" in [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh"). The physical Temple, where God's presence was manifested, was a shadow of the ultimate reality found in Christ, who declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to His body as the true temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "Jesus Predicts His Resurrection and Refers to His Body as the Temple")). In Christ, we behold the full "beauty" of God's character and the "strength" of His saving power, ultimately culminating in the New Jerusalem where "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" ([Revelation 21:22](/revelation/21-22 "The Lamb is the Temple")). Thus, in Jesus, the honour, majesty, strength, and beauty of God are not only before Him but are perfectly revealed and accessible to all who believe.

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 63:2

To see thy power and thy glory, so [as] I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Psalms 63:3

¶ Because thy lovingkindness [is] better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

Psalms 104:1

¶ Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

Psalms 29:1

¶ A Psalm of David. Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

Psalms 29:2

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

Psalms 93:1

¶ The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, [wherewith] he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

2 Peter 1:16

¶ For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.