What does "holy and awesome is His name" teach about God's character? The Verse in Context “He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; holy and awesome is His name!” Snapshot of the Psalm • An acrostic hymn recounting God’s works (vv. 1-8) • Climaxes with the declaration of His nature (v. 9) • Leads directly into the call to fear the LORD (v. 10) Key Word: Holy • Hebrew qādôš — “set apart, utterly pure, morally perfect” • Emphasizes His absolute otherness (Exodus 15:11; Isaiah 6:3) • Grounds the call for our holiness (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16) • Holiness is not merely an attribute; it defines every attribute—His love is holy, His justice is holy, His power is holy. Key Word: Awesome • Hebrew yārē’ — “to inspire fear, awe, reverence” • Describes a greatness that overwhelms (Deuteronomy 10:17) • Connects to wisdom: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10) • Reassures the faithful: the One who redeems is also the One all powers must dread (Psalm 99:1-3). The Weight of His Name • “Name” (Hebrew šēm) represents character, authority, reputation (Exodus 3:14-15). • God reveals His name as faithful and compassionate (Exodus 34:5-7). • His name is a refuge (Proverbs 18:10), the ground of salvation (Acts 4:12), and exalted above every name (Philippians 2:9-11). • To speak His name lightly is to demean His very being (Exodus 20:7). What This Reveals About God’s Character • Moral Perfection — no flaw, no compromise. • Majestic Transcendence — utterly beyond creation, yet engaged within it. • Fear-Inspiring Power — sovereign over kings, nations, and spiritual forces. • Covenant Faithfulness — His holiness secures His promises (Psalm 111:5). • Redemptive Heart — holiness does not repel sinners who come by His appointed redemption; it secures their cleansing (Hebrews 10:19-22). • Unchanging Nature — “ordained His covenant forever” anchors holiness and awe in eternal consistency (Malachi 3:6). Living in the Light of His Holy and Awesome Name • Worship with reverence and joy, avoiding casual familiarity. • Pursue personal holiness, reflecting His character in daily conduct. • Obey promptly, recognizing His authority is absolute. • Stand in confident awe—His fearful power protects those He redeems. • Speak His name with honor, guarding against flippant or vain usage. |
    |