Psalms 99:3 Meaning Explained

Psalms 99:3

Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he!

English Standard Version (ESV)

The phrase "Holy is he!" isn't just a descriptor of God; it's a powerful, almost exclamatory response, functioning as a core reason for praise. This brief declaration is the essence of why God's "great and awesome name" deserves reverence, highlighting His perfect holiness as the ultimate foundation for worship.

What Psalms 99:3 means

The psalm opens by proclaiming God's sovereign reign, calling for awe and reverence from all nations, not just Israel. This proclamation is rooted in God's presence dwelling among His people, symbolized by the cherubim. The verse that follows directly calls on all peoples to acknowledge and praise God's magnificent and awe-inspiring nature, emphasizing His holiness as the ultimate reason for worship.

A Name that Inspires Awe

The Bible calls God's name 'great and terrible.' What does 'terrible' really mean here, and how does it lead to praise?

The word translated 'terrible' doesn't mean 'scary' in the way we might think. Instead, it points to something that inspires deep awe, reverence, and even a healthy dose of fear. Think of a majestic mountain range or a powerful storm – they are awesome, commanding respect and wonder.

This 'terribleness' is tied to God's immense power and the absolute holiness that sets Him apart. It's a recognition that God is so far above us, so perfect in His justice and might, that He demands our profound respect. Far from pushing us away, this awe-inspiring nature is precisely why the psalmists call us to praise Him. We praise Him because He is so incredibly great and worthy of reverence.

Holiness as the Reason for Praise

The verse climaxes with a declaration of God's holiness. Why is His holiness the ultimate foundation for our praise?

The statement 'Holy is He!' isn't just an add-on; it's the core reason why God's name is great and awesome, and why we should praise Him. God's holiness speaks to His absolute purity, His perfect righteousness, and His complete separation from all sin and imperfection.

It means God is utterly unique and set apart. This perfect nature is what makes Him worthy of worship. We can trust Him, rely on Him, and offer Him our highest praise because He is perfectly good and just. His holiness is not a barrier to approaching Him, but the very reason He is the supreme object of our adoration.

Understand the original words

Original language

Holyקָדוֹשׁ

qadosh · Hebrew Adjective

A term used to describe the character of God, representing His unapproachable majesty, moral perfection, and absolute distinctness from all creation. It demands reverence, awe, and separation from sin.

nameשֵׁם

shem · Hebrew Noun

In Scripture, a name represents the person's character, authority, and reputation. Praising God's name is to honor His manifest attributes and His very nature.

Historical context

Written: Likely composed during the united monarchy, possibly around 1000 BC.
Author: Traditionally attributed to Moses, though modern scholarship suggests multiple Levitical authors, likely from the Leviticalítico schools.
Location: Written from the wilderness during the Exodus, or compiled later in the land of Israel.
Genre: Poetry (specifically a Psalm); notable for its use of parallelism and evocative imagery.

Key themes

01God's awesome perfections
02Praise for divine holiness
03Awe and reverence before God

Cross-references

Exodus 15:11

This passage directly links God's greatness and terror with His holiness, echoing the theme of praise for His awesome attributes.

Deuteronomy 7:21

It speaks of God's great, mighty, and awesome power, setting the stage for why His name is worthy of praise and awe.

Isaiah 6:3

This verse provides a powerful parallel, with the seraphim crying out 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty,' directly connecting God's holiness with the highest form of praise.

Revelation 4:8

Similar to Isaiah 6:3, this vision in Revelation repeats the 'Holy, holy, holy' refrain, showing the continuous and eternal nature of praising God for His holiness.

Scholarly commentary

Psalms 99:3: "Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy."

Verse 3. - Let them praise thy great and terrible Name. Even the Gentiles, after conversion, will praise the Lord, sing of him, and bless his Name. (On the "greatness" and "terribleness" of God, see Exodus 15:11; Deuteronomy 7:21; Deuteronomy 10:17; Nehemiah 1:5; Nehemiah 4:14; Psalm 68:35, etc.) For it is holy; rather, holy is he. This may be a suggestion to those about to praise God - a putting of words into their mou…
pulpit

Psalms 99:3: "Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy."

Let them praise thy great and terrible name - Let them confess thee to be great and terrible: let them tremble before thee. For it is holy - קדוש הוא kadosh hu. As this not only ends this verse but the fifth also, and in effect the ninth, it seems to be a species of chorus which was sung in a very solemn manner at the conclusion of each of these parts. His holiness - the immaculate purity of his nature, was the reason…
clarke

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