Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
The surrounding declaration is that the Lord reigns, enthroned between the cherubim, great in Zion and high above all peoples. He is to be exalted and worshiped at His footstool because He is holy, and His greatness calls the earth to trembling reverence and awe. This call to praise belongs to the dedication of the temple, when the house was filled with a cloud of divine glory so that the priests could not stand to minister. Then it was declared that the Lord would dwell in thick darkness in the house built for His dwelling forever.
Verse 3 calls all people to praise His great and terrible, awe-inspiring name with reverent awe, because it is holy. That holiness belongs to His perfect sovereign rule, for He governs all things with truth, righteousness, and justice. This just government brings joy to those who love Him and honor His laws.
The call to praise means that God, the great Master-Worker, and not the human instruments who serve Him, is to receive all the glory for successful work. Human beings are only instruments in His hands, while all glory for successful work belongs to Him. Because of His greatness and fearful majesty, His name must be spoken with holy awe and must not be coupled with other words or used carelessly.
The surrounding declaration is that the Lord reigns, enthroned between the cherubim, great in Zion and high above all peoples. He is to be exalted and worshiped at His footstool because He is holy, and His greatness calls the earth to trembling reverence and awe. This call to praise belongs to the dedication of the temple, when the house was filled with a cloud of divine glory so that the priests could not stand to minister. Then it was declared that the Lord would dwell in thick darkness in the house built for His dwelling forever.
Verse 3 calls all people to praise His great and terrible, awe-inspiring name with reverent awe, because it is holy. That holiness belongs to His perfect sovereign rule, for He governs all things with truth, righteousness, and justice. This just government brings joy to those who love Him and honor His laws.
The call to praise means that God, the great Master-Worker, and not the human instruments who serve Him, is to receive all the glory for successful work. Human beings are only instruments in His hands, while all glory for successful work belongs to Him. Because of His greatness and fearful majesty, His name must be spoken with holy awe and must not be coupled with other words or used carelessly.