Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "beauty of holiness" might sound like you need to be perfectly holy to approach God. However, the original Hebrew hints more at "holy attire" or "splendor," suggesting a beautiful, awe-inspiring worship, like priests adorned for sacred ceremony, reflecting God's own glorious holiness.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm opens by calling upon heavenly beings, "sons of El," to acknowledge God's powerful and majestic "glory" and "strength," particularly as revealed in a dramatic thunderstorm that sweeps across the land. The verse calls for this recognition of God's might, urging worship that reflects the sacredness and awe-inspiring beauty associated with His divine presence, much like the splendor of priestly attire in the heavenly temple. This prelude sets the stage for the psalm's vivid description of God's voice thundering through creation, demonstrating His absolute power over the natural world.
What does it mean to give God the 'glory due his name'? It's more than just recognition; it's about acknowledging His unique character and actions.
The phrase "the glory due his name" points to the inherent worth and honor that belongs to God. His name represents His very being, His character, and all that He has revealed about Himself through creation and His mighty acts.
The verse calls us to worship 'in the splendor of holiness.' What kind of 'splendor' are we talking about, and how does it relate to holiness?
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Worshipping 'in the splendor of holiness' is a call to present ourselves and our worship in a manner that reflects God's own holiness. It draws from the imagery of the temple and the priests who served there.
Understand the original words
hishtachavah · Hebrew Verb
An act of bowing down, serving, or showing reverence; a posture of submission before the divine. It involves acknowledging God's worthiness through outward acts of devotion.
qodesh · Hebrew Noun
The unique purity, transcendence, and set-apartness of God that constitutes His essential nature; it defines His separation from all that is common, profane, or sinful.
Psalm 29, with its focus on God's glorious power displayed in nature and the call to worship Him in 'the beauty of holiness,' likely emerged during the unified monarchy under David. The 'splendor of holiness' likely refers to the prescribed worship in God's presence, possibly envisioned in the context of the majestic Temple rituals established later by Solomon.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
Davidic Kingdom Reigns
Psalm 29 is traditionally attributed to David, the king who united Israel and established Jerusalem as its capital. This era was a peak of national strength and religious significance.
c. 960 BC
Solomon's Temple Dedicated
The magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, the center of Israel's worship, was dedicated by Solomon. This event set a high standard for worship and the 'splendor of holiness' described in the psalm.
c. 740 BC
Assyrian Empire's Rise
The growing power of the Assyrian Empire in the 8th century BC created regional instability and an awareness of powerful empires, perhaps influencing the psalm's focus on God's supreme power.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonians began deporting Judeans, marking the start of the Babylonian exile. This event would profoundly shape Jewish identity and theology.
539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon, paving the way for the return of exiled Jews to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple.
c. 515 BC
Second Temple Completed
The completion of the Second Temple signified a return to worship in Jerusalem after the exile, echoing the themes of God's glory and holy worship.
This passage echoes Psalm 29:2, calling to 'give unto the LORD the glory due to his name' and 'worship the LORD in holy array'.
Psalm 96:9This verse also directs worshipers to 'worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness,' linking outward reverence with inner devotion.
Isaiah 64:11This verse speaks of God's 'holy and beautiful house,' connecting the splendor of God's dwelling place with the worship offered there, similar to the 'beauty of holiness' in Psalms 29:2.
1 Peter 3:4Peter describes the 'hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,' paralleling the inner beauty of holiness with outward splendor.
Revelation 7:11This passage describes angels in heaven worshipping God, dressed in white robes, suggesting a heavenly 'splendor of holiness' that mirrors earthly worship.
cambridgePsalms 29:2: "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness."
2 . the glory due unto his name ] Lit. the glory of his name , particularising the general idea of glory in Psalm 29:1 . The glory of his name is His glory as He reveals Himself in the world ( Psalm 5:11 note); here, as the context shews, especially in Nature. in the beauty of holiness ] Suggestive as this rendering is, it can hardly be right; and the true sense is that given in R.V. marg.…
clarkePsalms 29:2: "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness."
The glory due unto his name - Rather, the glory of his name. His name is Mercy; his nature is love. Ascribe mercy, love, power, and wisdom to him. All these are implied in the name Jehovah. In the beauty of holiness - בהדרת קדש behadrath kodesh, "the beautiful garments of holiness." Let the priests and Levites put on their best and cleanest apparel; and let the whole service be conducted…
The phrase "beauty of holiness" might sound like you need to be perfectly holy to approach God. However, the original Hebrew hints more at "holy attire" or "splendor," suggesting a beautiful, awe-inspiring worship, like priests adorned for sacred ceremony, reflecting God's own glorious holiness.
This psalm opens by calling upon heavenly beings, "sons of El," to acknowledge God's powerful and majestic "glory" and "strength," particularly as revealed in a dramatic thunderstorm that sweeps across the land. The verse calls for this recognition of God's might, urging worship that reflects the sacredness and awe-inspiring beauty associated with His divine presence, much like the splendor of priestly attire in the heavenly temple. This prelude sets the stage for the psalm's vivid description of God's voice thundering through creation, demonstrating His absolute power over the natural world.
This psalm opens by calling upon heavenly beings, "sons of El," to acknowledge God's powerful and majestic "glory" and "strength," particularly as revealed in a dramatic thunderstorm that sweeps across the land. The verse calls for this recognition of God's might, urging worship that reflects the sacredness and awe-inspiring beauty associated with His divine presence, much like the splendor of priestly attire in the heavenly temple. This prelude sets the stage for the psalm's vivid description of God's voice thundering through creation, demonstrating His absolute power over the natural world.
"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness." — The phrase "beauty of holiness" might sound like you need to be perfectly holy to approach God. However, the original Hebrew hints more at "holy attire" or "splendor," suggesting a beautiful, awe-ins…
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Last reviewed October 2026