Psalms 99:3

“Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.”

Context: Psalm 99 is part of a collection of psalms known as the Royal Psalms. It emphasizes the greatness of God, His sovereignty, and His holiness. In this particular verse, the psalmist calls upon people to praise God’s great and terrible name.

Praise: The psalmist urges the people to praise God. Praise is an act of worship and adoration, acknowledging the greatness and worthiness of God. It is an expression of gratitude, awe, and reverence towards Him. In this verse, the focus is on praising God’s name.

God’s Great and Terrible Name: The psalmist describes God’s name as great and terrible. The word “great” emphasizes the magnitude, majesty, and exalted nature of God’s name. It signifies His power, authority, and sovereignty over all things. The term “terrible” does not imply fear or terror in the modern sense but rather points to the awe-inspiring and awesome nature of God’s name. It reflects His holiness, transcendence, and the reverence due to Him.

Holiness: The psalmist emphasizes that God’s name is holy. Holiness refers to God’s absolute purity, moral perfection, and separation from all that is sinful and evil. It sets Him apart as unique and distinct from all other beings. God’s holiness demands reverence, worship, and obedience from His creation. The recognition of His holiness leads to a proper understanding of His greatness and the need to worship Him.

Application: As believers today, we can learn from this verse by acknowledging and praising God for His greatness and holiness. We should approach Him with reverence, recognizing His authority and sovereignty over our lives. Our worship should be characterized by awe and gratitude, acknowledging the unique and wonderful nature of His name. Furthermore, we should strive to live holy lives, seeking to align our thoughts, words, and actions with God’s character and His commands.