Psalms 99:3
Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
Psalms 99:3
“Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.” This verse blends two dimensions: awe of God’s might (great and terrible) and the fixed center of holiness. “Great and terrible” reflects Old Testament language for a powerful, awe-inspiring God who can both bless and judge. Yet the refrain grounds praise in holiness—the name is holy. In ancient Hebrew thought, a person’s name signified their identity and character; God’s name embodies His perfect, holy nature. The call to praise is communal: the people respond to who God is—His majestic power and pure character. The “terrible” element is not to incite fear for fear’s sake, but reverent recognition that God’s power rightly inspires awe and worship when paired with moral purity and justice.
Holiness is central to God’s identity in Scripture. The pairing of greatness with fearsome majesty underscores that true praise arises from recognizing God’s righteous character. Praise is not merely sentiment; it’s acknowledgment of God’s ability to do what is right, including judgment against sin and deliverance for the oppressed. The name being holy also signals the moral demands God places on His people—worship that translates into righteous living. This verse thus links worship to ethical obedience, reminding believers that praising God means aligning life with His holy character.
In daily life, let praise be shaped by God’s holiness and justice. Practice: speak truthfully about God, not just comforting ideas; live consistently with God’s commands; resist trivializing sin or grace. In community, celebrate God’s power by supporting justice initiatives, caring for the vulnerable, and pursuing integrity in work and relationships. Personal acts of worship—prayer, song, Scripture meditation—should translate into concrete acts of kindness and ethical decisions that reflect God’s holy character. When you encounter fear or power in your life, remember God’s greatness and holiness, and respond with worship that guides your choices toward what is right and good.
Cross-References: Psalm 99:9; Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 42:8; Jeremiah 9:23–24; Revelation 15:4