Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.’
(Psalm 24:3–4)
More than once in the Psalms that were composed for temple worship, King David revealed his innermost emotions, especially when he wrote, ‘Worship the Lord in the splendour of holiness’ (Psalm 96:9).
This phrase is set amongst other worship criteria which climax in the greatness and majesty of God. It is an acknowledgement of God’s powers and wonders and how He has wrought victory for His people in overcoming their enemies. It also encapsulates God’s supremacy over all the ‘no-gods’ of the nations. ‘Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales’ (Isaiah 40:15). It is as if the ‘splendour of holiness’ encapsulates the very being of God Himself when He is praised and glorified for what He was, what He is and what He will be with His unchanging and flawless character, for such are His ways.
What Does it Mean?
The phrase ‘splendour of holiness’ occurs three times in the ESV translation of the Bible (which is used in the Glad Tidings magazine), all in the Old Testament. These three references are found in
1 Chronicles 16:29, Psalm 29:2, and Psalm 96:9. Different versions of the Bible offer different translations. You may have a Bible which develops the meanings by additional marginal notes. Some different meanings offered for ‘the splendour of holiness’ are:
(1) in His glorious sanctuary
(2) in holy array, or in holy garments
(3) in the splendour of His holiness
(4) on the holy mountains
(5) in His holy courts
(6) in the splendours of your saints
(7) arrayed in holy majesty.
It seems there was some difficulty in translating this phrase, and although some of these meanings do not appear to be consistent, we should accept that ‘all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness’ (2 Timothy 3:16); that is, when God speaks in the Bible, He reveals His true and faultless mind to us for our benefit. So, what are we to make of these variations in meaning?
What strongly emerges is that praise of the Lord is offered by those who have access to the “glorious sanctuary” and are clothed in “holy garments”. This may remind us of the dedicated and God-designed garments of the High Priest, who served before God in the tabernacle and the temple, for God said to Moses, ‘You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty’ (Exodus 28:2). It is offered by those who are called “saints”—that is, people who are trying to be set apart to God.
King David and the Ark
In 1 Chronicles 13 to 16 we read how the Ark of the Covenant, the gold-clad chest which was a symbol of God’s presence, was brought into Jerusalem by King David. David’s preparations were thorough and thoughtful. The ark was borne on the shoulders of appointed priests, as God had said it should be. It was accompanied by music and singing performed by the Levites, who were also correctly clothed. ‘David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as also were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and the singers and Chenaniah the leader of the music of the singers. And David wore a linen ephod’ (1 Chronicles 15:27). David knew from reading the Law of Moses that these were the right things to do. It was a joyful occasion with freewill sacrifices and offerings of thanksgiving, music, singing and dancing. It was joyfully holy and pleasing to God.
David had prepared for the building and worship in the temple which Solomon his son would build.
1 Chronicles 16 records what he had planned. We are told in verse 7: ‘Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the Lord by Asaph and his brothers.’
The song that follows contains parts of at least six psalms (96, 105, 106, 107, 118, 136), the full versions of which were later included in the Book of Psalms in the Bible. The longest sections are from Psalm 105
(vs. 2–15) and 96 (vs. 1–13).
So the phrase ‘Worship the Lord in the splendour of holiness’ has its origin in the arrangements which were made for worship in the new temple, and the events surrounding the carrying of the ark to Jerusalem and its accompanying worship and joy.
King Jehoshaphat’s Deliverance
The next occurrence is in a time of war. Judah was outnumbered and about to be invaded. The account is in 2 Chronicles 20. The Jewish King Jehoshaphat offered a fervent prayer to God, and an answer came in v. 14 from the prophet Jahaziel (who was a descendant of David’s musician Asaph). He told them they would not need to fight this battle—God would destroy their enemies.
‘And when [Jehoshaphat] had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures for ever.”’ (v. 21).
Psalms of Praise
The two psalms 29 and 96 both describe the majesty and power and knowledge of God in many and different ways, especially over His natural creation and the people of the earth. God is greater, He is supreme over all, with steadfast truth and righteousness. The people are encouraged to sing and to praise Him and to fear before Him ‘in the splendour of holiness’, and to declare to the world that God is King and reigns over all.
These two wonderful psalms look forward to God’s glorious Kingdom when the Lord Jesus has returned to the earth.
Psalm 110 is a prophecy about Jesus Christ when he has returned as King. In v. 3 we read, ‘Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.’
So far, we have suggested that the phrase refers to the holy garments of the priests and the Levites, which were worn during the tabernacle and temple services. But Psalm 110 describes the new nature that will be given to those who have been faithful, when Christ returns (1 Corinthians 15:50–55). They will be given the strength of everlasting youth. They will be granted ‘divine nature’ by the Lord Jesus Christ following lives of work and love in his service in the days of their mortality (2 Peter 1:4).
This is the great climax, the apex of God’s purpose of redemption. He is preparing His people for everlasting lives of continual praise and love and joy in His kingdom. This is why they ‘offer themselves freely’, because they are accepted and changed to be made like ‘his glorious body’ (Philippians 3:21). They will now serve with him and for him and do whatever he says, and follow him wherever he goes (Revelation 14:4). The immortality given to them is likened to ‘the dew of your youth’, as they are invigorated, never again to feel tired, or weary or to experience death. ‘They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint’ (Isaiah 40:31).
VIC AUCOTT