Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

PSALMS 96:6KJV
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Psalms 96:6 (KJV)

What does Psalms 96:6 mean?

Psalms 96:6 says that honor and majesty are always in God’s presence, and that strength and beauty are found in His sanctuary. The verse highlights the qualities that surround God and fill the place where He is worshiped.

This psalm is a song of praise, likely written by David, inviting all people to recognize God’s greatness. The verse paints a picture of God’s royal splendor and the awe-inspiring atmosphere of His dwelling place, encouraging worshipers to see both His power and His beauty.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 96:6

  • "Honour" (הוֹד, hod): This word often means glory, splendor, or dignity. It suggests a visible, impressive quality that marks God’s presence.
  • "Majesty" (הָדָר, hadar): This word points to magnificence or grandeur, emphasizing God’s kingly appearance.
  • "Strength" (עֹז, oz): This word means might or power, underlining that God’s sanctuary is a place of real strength, not just beauty.
  • "Beauty" (תִּפְאֶרֶת, tiferet): This word means beauty or glory, showing that God’s presence is not only powerful but also attractive and awe-inspiring.
  • "Sanctuary" (מִקְדָּשׁ, miqdash): This refers to the holy place where God is worshiped, whether the temple or any place set apart for Him.

Why Psalms 96:6 matters

  • Psalms 96:6 helps correct the idea that God’s presence is only about power or fear; it also includes beauty and majesty, inviting a fuller response of awe and worship.
  • The verse connects God’s character to the place of worship, showing that His sanctuary is filled with both strength and beauty, not just ritual or tradition.
  • In the context of the psalm, this verse supports the call for all nations to praise God by describing the unmatched qualities found with Him, making the invitation to worship more compelling.

Where else these words appear

“Honour” Hebrew H1935 · used in 24 verses

  • Numbers 27:20 And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
  • Psalms 8:1 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
  • Isaiah 30:30 And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.

“majesty” Hebrew H1926 · used in 29 verses

  • Leviticus 23:40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.
  • Psalms 90:16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.
  • Isaiah 2:10 Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.

“beauty” Hebrew H8597 · used in 50 verses

  • Exodus 28:2 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.
  • Proverbs 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.
  • Isaiah 63:12 That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?

“sanctuary” Hebrew H4720 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
  • Nehemiah 10:39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
  • Ezekiel 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.