Psalms 96:6 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

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

Honour and majesty are before him - as His inseparable attendants "in, His presence."

Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. "Strength and gladness are in His place" (1 Chronicles 16:27). The gladness in the worshippers (cf. Acts 2:46) was the effect of the contemplation of His "beauty." The "strength" is the power obtained by prayer in His sanctuary. The "beauty" is the glory of God's presence. So Psalms 96:7, "glory and strength," are parallel to "strength and beauty" here. The "sanctuary" is wherever the Lord is: "His place" in 1 Chronicles 16:1-43. Originally the Old Testament temple of stone; then the temple of Christ's body "in whom dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9; John 2:21); then the temple of the Holy Spirit, the Church (1 Corinthians 6:19); then hereafter the restored temple in millennial Jerusalem (Ezekiel 40:1-49; Ezekiel 41:1-26; Ezekiel 42:1-20; Ezekiel 43:1-27; Ezekiel 44:1-31; Ezekiel 45:1-25; Ezekiel 46:1-24; Ezekiel 47:1-23); then the "Lord God Almighty and the Lamb, the temple" in the final and perfect state (Revelation 21:22).

Psalms 96:6

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