Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't just say to rejoice, but specifically that the hearts of those seeking the Lord should rejoice. This highlights an internal, deep-seated joy that doesn't depend on outward circumstances, but on the very act of drawing near to God.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm is a call to remember and praise God specifically for His covenant faithfulness to Israel. Before this verse, the psalmist urges giving thanks and calling on God's name, setting the stage for a focused remembrance of His powerful deeds. Immediately following, the psalm continues by exhorting believers to seek God's strength and presence, and to recall the wonders He performed, particularly the Exodus.
What does it mean to 'glory' in God? It's more than just a fleeting feeling; it's a profound declaration of trust and adoration.
The verse calls us to 'glory in his holy name.' This isn't about boasting in our own achievements, but in God's very being—His holiness, His power, His love.
The Name of God
In the Bible, God's name signifies His character and His reputation. To glory in His name is to place our ultimate confidence and find our highest joy in who He is. It's acknowledging that His attributes are worthy of our deepest admiration and praise.
A Holy Foundation
Specifically, the text highlights His 'holy name.' This points to God's absolute purity, His moral perfection, and His set-apart nature. Our rejoicing is rooted in the fact that we serve a God who is inherently good, just, and true. This holiness is not something to be feared, but a reason for secure confidence, as it guarantees His faithfulness and His righteous actions.
God's Word reveals a beautiful promise: those who actively pursue Him will find their hearts filled with rejoicing.
The second part of the verse, 'let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!', connects our pursuit of God with the experience of genuine joy.
The Active Seeker
'Seeking the LORD' isn't a passive activity. It implies intention, effort, and a deep longing to know Him more intimately. It means turning our attention, our thoughts, and our desires towards Him.
Ask a follow-up
The Reward of Joy
The promise here is that the hearts of these seekers will rejoice. This isn't a conditional joy based on circumstances, but an inner gladness that springs from a relationship with God. It's the joy of knowing we are loved, guided, and sustained by the One we seek. This rejoicing is a natural outflow of a heart connected to the source of all goodness.
Understand the original words
halal · Hebrew Verb
To 'glory' in something means to boast, exult, or find one's primary satisfaction and source of pride in that subject, specifically here in the character of God.
qodesh · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Refers to God’s essential nature—His absolute purity, separateness from sin, and supreme moral perfection that demands reverence.
lebab · Hebrew Noun
In Scripture, the heart is the center of the human will, intellect, and emotion; it is the seat of a person's deepest commitment and true spiritual condition.
samach · Hebrew Verb
A state of intense gladness or joy experienced by the believer, rooted in the security of God’s character and the reality of His works.
darash · Hebrew Verb
To seek the Lord is to pursue Him as the highest priority, requiring an intentional turning of the soul toward Him to experience intimacy and guidance.
Psalm 105 is a powerful call to remember God's faithfulness, especially relevant in times when His people faced profound loss, like the destruction of the Temple. It reminds them to glory in God's name and seek Him, even when His presence seemed distant.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God miraculously delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, demonstrating His power and faithfulness.
c. 1446 BC
Giving of the Law at Sinai
God establishes His covenant with Israel, giving them His law and revealing His holy character.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites begin to take possession of the Promised Land.
c. 1010 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David unites the tribes and establishes Jerusalem as the capital, solidifying Israel's national identity.
c. 970 BC— this verse
Temple Construction Begins
King Solomon begins building the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, a central place for worship and God's presence.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and exile much of the population, a devastating blow to Israel's worship.
This passage echoes the sentiment of rejoicing in the Lord, showing that glorying in God's name is a consistent theme throughout the Psalms for those who seek Him.
Isaiah 41:16This verse speaks of exulting in God's name and strength, mirroring the call in Psalm 105:3 to glory in His holy name and find joy in seeking Him.
Nehemiah 8:10Nehemiah encourages rejoicing and feasting because the joy of the LORD is our strength, connecting the deep inward joy mentioned in Psalm 105:3 to God's empowering presence.
Acts 2:46-47The early believers, filled with joy and praising God, experienced daily additions to their number, illustrating how true rejoicing in the Lord leads to outward expressions of faith and growth.
Jeremiah 29:13This verse promises that if we seek God with all our heart, we will find Him, providing a clear parallel to the imperative in Psalm 105:3 to seek the Lord and the resulting joy that follows.
pulpitPsalms 105:3: "Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD."
Verse 3. - Glory ye in his holy Name (comp. Psalm 34:2, "My soul shall glory in the Lord'). As worldly men glory in their strength and riches, so the saints of God glory in God. Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord (comp. Psalm 33:21).
clarkePsalms 105:3: "Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD."
Glory ye in his holy name - Show the name Jesus: exult in it - praise it. His name was called Jesus; because he came to save his people from their sins. Let the heart of them rejoice - That is, the heart of those shall rejoice who seek the Lord: therefore it is added: -
The verse doesn't just say to rejoice, but specifically that the hearts of those seeking the Lord should rejoice. This highlights an internal, deep-seated joy that doesn't depend on outward circumstances, but on the very act of drawing near to God.
This psalm is a call to remember and praise God specifically for His covenant faithfulness to Israel. Before this verse, the psalmist urges giving thanks and calling on God's name, setting the stage for a focused remembrance of His powerful deeds. Immediately following, the psalm continues by exhorting believers to seek God's strength and presence, and to recall the wonders He performed, particularly the Exodus.
This psalm is a call to remember and praise God specifically for His covenant faithfulness to Israel. Before this verse, the psalmist urges giving thanks and calling on God's name, setting the stage for a focused remembrance of His powerful deeds. Immediately following, the psalm continues by exhorting believers to seek God's strength and presence, and to recall the wonders He performed, particularly the Exodus.
"Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!" — The verse doesn't just say to rejoice, but specifically that the hearts of those seeking the Lord should rejoice. This highlights an internal, deep-seated joy that doesn't depend on outward circums…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026