Psalms 96:6 — Word Study
WLCהוֹד־ וְהָדָ֥ר לְפָנָ֑יו עֹ֥ז וְ֝תִפְאֶ֗רֶת בְּמִקְדָּשֽׁוֹ׃
BSASplendorhôwd [honor, glory] and majestyhâdâr [excellence, greatness] are before Himpânîym [in His presence, face to face] strengthʻôz [power, might] and beautytiphʼârâh [loveliness, glorious appearance] fill His sanctuarymiqdâsh [holy place, temple]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הוֹד־ | splendor | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְהָדָ֥ר | and majesty | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| לְפָנָ֑יו | [are] before him | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| עֹ֥ז | strength | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְ֝תִפְאֶ֗רֶת | and splendor | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| בְּמִקְדָּשֽׁוֹ׃ | [are] in sanctuary his | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty fill His sanctuary. |
| KJV | Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. |
| ASV | Honor and majesty are before him: Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. |
| YLT | Honour and majesty [are] before Him, Strength and beauty in His sanctuary. |
| WEB | Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. |
| BBE | Honour and glory are before him: strong and fair is his holy place. |
Translations agree on the key terms in this verse, maintaining a consistent understanding of God's attributes.
The verse is structured with two main clauses, each describing different attributes of God and their relationship to His presence.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 96:6
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Celebration of God's Glorygenerated
Psalm 96:6 is part of a psalm that calls all nations to worship the LORD, emphasizing His greatness and the futility of idols. The psalmist contrasts the glory of God with the worthlessness of false gods, inviting all creation to recognize and celebrate God's majesty and power.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 8:1 | O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens. |
| 2 | Psalm 19:1 | The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. |
| 3 | Psalm 63:2–3 | So I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and glory. |
| 4 | Psalm 93:1 | The LORD reigns! He is robed in majesty; the LORD has clothed and armed Himself with strength. The world indeed is firmly established; it cannot be moved. |
| 5 | Psalm 104:1 | Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הוֹד, hod-generated
The word הוֹד (*hod*) is a noun that conveys concepts of splendor, honor, and glory. It is often used in poetic contexts to describe something that is magnificent or majestic, such as God's own splendor as seen in Psalm 138:5.
This term is derived from an unused root and encompasses a sense of grandeur and beauty. It captures the essence of God's impressive appearance and the majesty that surrounds Him.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the rendering of the key terms in this verse, maintaining the themes of splendor, majesty, strength, and beauty as they relate to God.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of two main clauses connected by a conjunction. The first clause, הוֹד־ וְהָדָ֥ר לְפָנָ֑יו, identifies the subjects of splendor and majesty as being before God, while the second clause, עֹ֥ז וְ֝תִפְאֶ֗רֶת בְּמִקְדָּשֽׁוֹ, describes strength and beauty filling His sanctuary.
The structure emphasizes the relationship between God's attributes and His dwelling place, illustrating how His glory is manifested in the sanctuary.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הוֹד with ἐχομολόγησις, which suggests a focus on the concept of glory and honor, aligning with the Hebrew meaning but possibly expanding its implications in a Greek context.
This choice reflects a continuity of thought about God's attributes, emphasizing His majesty and splendor in a way that resonates with both Hebrew and Greek audiences.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 96:6 expresses that splendor and majesty are present before God, while strength and beauty fill His sanctuary. This verse highlights the greatness of God compared to idols, inviting all to recognize His glory.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The verse highlights that splendor, majesty, strength, and beauty are inherent qualities of God, particularly in His sanctuary.
It emphasizes the call to worship God, recognizing His greatness and the futility of worshiping idols.
The sanctuary represents a sacred space where God's presence is especially felt, filled with His glory and attributes.
All translations agree on the key themes, underscoring the attributes of God as glorious and majestic.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see God's splendor and majesty in the world around me?
- How can I better appreciate the beauty and strength of God in my life?
- What does it mean to me to be in God's presence, filled with His glory?
- How can I encourage others to recognize and worship God's greatness?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers reflect on this verse to highlight the beauty of confession and God's attributes, as seen in Augustine's writings.
"Confession and beauty are before Him" [Psalms 96:6]. Do you love beauty? Wishest thou to be beautiful? Confess! He said not, beauty and confession, but confession and beauty.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 96 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 96:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHonour and majesty are before him,.... He being set down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, and having honour and majesty laid upon him; being arrayed in robes of majesty,
Read John Gill on Psalms 96 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHonour 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.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 96 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleBefore him, i.e. in his presence, like beams shot out from his face, who is the Sun of righteousness. There is an unconceivable glory and majesty in his countenance, and in the place of his presence. In his sanctuary; or, in his holy place; where he records his name and affords his presence. There are the manifestations of God’ s power and grace, or goodness, and all his perfections.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 96 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 96:6 Honour and majesty [are] before him: strength and beauty [are] in his sanctuary.Ver. 6. Honour and majesty are before him] These are his harbingers, and they go often coupled, as Psalms 104:1 Psalms 111:3 Psalms 145:5 Job 40:10, &c. By the former, seemeth to be meant outward port and splendour; by the latter, inward reverence and respect following thereupon. Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary] God’ s glory shineth more in his Church than in all the world besides.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 96 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(6) Honour . . . The whole universe displays Jehovah’s majesty, but chiefly his sanctuary in Israel, where it is typified by the costly splendour of the building and its rites. So the version of Apollinaris, “Pureness and stately glory fit his shrine.” The chronicler having adopted this psalm as suitable for the occasion when the ark was brought to Zion by David, has substituted “strength and gladness are in his place” possibly because the Temple was not built at that time.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 96 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 6. Honour and majesty are before him] Does this refer to the cloud of his glory that preceded the ark in their journeying through the wilderness? The words strength and beauty, and glory and strength, Psalms 96:7, are those by which the ark is described, Psalms 78:61.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 96 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges6. The attributes of honour and majesty (Psalms 104:1) are perhaps personified, and regarded as attendants standing in God’s Presence. Strength and beauty are terms applied in Psalms 78:61 to the Ark, the symbol of His Presence. The sanctuary is not heaven, but the restored Temple, where with the eye of faith the Psalmist sees the glory of Jehovah returning to dwell, although the Ark was no longer there to represent it. Cp. Isaiah 60:13. 1 Chronicles 16:27 reads “Strength and gladness are in his place,” possibly to adapt the Psalm for the occasion when the Temple did not yet exist.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 96 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHonour and majesty are before him - This part of the verse is taken literally from 1 Chronicles 16:27. The meaning is, that that which constitutes honor, glory, majesty, is in his presence, or wherever he is.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 96 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty fill His sanctuary.
Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty fill His sanctuary.
Majestic splendor emanates from him; his sanctuary is firmly established and beautiful.
Tyndale line
Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Honor and majesty are before him: Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Honor and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Strength and glory are before him: power and beautie are in his Sanctuarie.
Strictly literal
Majesty and splendour are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Honour and majesty [are] before Him, Strength and beauty in His sanctuary.
Splendor and majesty [are] before Him, || Strength and beauty in His sanctuary.
Glory and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Splendor and majesty are in his presence. Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
From the Latin
The heavens declared his justice: and all people saw his glory.
Simplified
Splendor and majesty are his; power and glory are in his sanctuary.
Honour and glory are before him: strong and fair is his holy place.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all six Hebrew words matched in the Greek translation, indicating a consistent understanding of God's attributes across these texts.
הוֹד־ וְהָדָ֥ר לְפָנָ֑יו עֹ֥ז וְ֝תִפְאֶ֗רֶת בְּמִקְדָּשֽׁוֹ׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 96:6
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word הוֹד (*hod*) encompasses meanings related to splendour, majesty, and vigour, primarily in a poetic context. It is derived from an unused root and conveys concepts of grandeur and beauty, as noted in various lexicons.
הוֹד n.m. splendour, majesty, vigour (chiefly poet.)
base
H1935 הוֹד splendour, majesty, vigour (chiefly poet.)
1935 howd hode
from an unused root; grandeur (i.e. an imposing form and
appearance):--beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory,
goodly, honour, majesty.
הוֹד (hod) — splendor.
splendour, majesty, vigour
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
הָדָר (hadar) refers to concepts of ornament, splendour, and honour, primarily in a poetic context. It is derived from a root meaning magnificence and encompasses beauty, glory, and majesty. The term captures a range of meanings related to excellence and goodliness.
הָדָר n.m. ornament, splendour, honour (chiefly poet.)
base
H1926 הָדָר ornament, splendour, honour (chiefly poet.)
1926 hadar haw-dawr'
from 1921; magnificence, i.e. ornament or splendor:--beauty,
comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honour,
majesty.
see HEBREW for 01921
הָדָר (ha.dar) — glory.
1) ornament, splendour, honour
1a) ornament
1b) splendour, majesty
1c) honour, glory
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
→ Name of God Heb 1:3; 8:1
→ See GOD
The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.
[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces
face, faces
presence, person
technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
face of seraphim
face of animals
face (= surface) of ground
as adv.loc. before
for other phrases
with prepositions
base
H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces
. . presence, person
. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
. face of seraphim
. face of animals
. face (= surface) of ground
. as adv. loc. before
. for other phrases
. with prepositions
6440 paniym paw-neem'
plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh
{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);
used in a great variety of applications (literally and
figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a
preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),
against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),
+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,
face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er
time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +
honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +
meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,
open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,
presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right
forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,
X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.
: before/to/front
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.
: face
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…
Prep | N-cp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncmpc/Sp3ms
עֹז (oz) refers to strength or might, encompassing material, physical, personal, social, and political dimensions. It can denote boldness or impudence and is associated with the might of God. The word is built from the root related to strength and power, with various applications noted in the entries.
עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז n.m. strength, might
material and physical
personal, social, and political
might of י׳
= boldness, impudence
= stronghold
base
H5797 עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז strength, might . material and physical
. personal, social, and political
. might of י׳
. = boldness, impudence
. = stronghold
5797 `oz oze
or (fully) rowz {oze}; from 5810; strength in various
applications (force, security, majesty, praise):--boldness,
loud, might, power, strength, strong.
see HEBREW for 05810
עֹז (oz) — strength.
1) might, strength
1a) material or physical
1b) personal or social or political
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
→ A title given to Jehovah 1Sa 15:29
תִּפְאָרָה (tiph'arah) refers to beauty and glory, encompassing both physical and abstract qualities. It can denote the beauty of garments and jewels, the glory associated with rank or God, and even the honor of Israel. The term is built from the root meaning 'ornament' and covers a range of meanings related to splendor and majesty.
תִּפְאָרָה n.f. beauty, glory
base
H8597 תִּפְאָרָה beauty, glory
8597 tiph'arah tif-aw-raw'
or tiphereth {tif-eh'-reth}; from 6286; ornament (abstractly
or concretely, literally or figuratively):--beauty(- iful),
bravery, comely, fair, glory(-ious), hono; ornament
(abstractly or concretely, literally or
figuratively):--beauty(-iful), bravery, comely, fair,
glory(-ious), honour, majesty.
see HEBREW for 06286
תִּפְאָרָה (tiph.a.rah) — beauty.
1) beauty, splendour, glory
1a) beauty, finery (of garments, jewels)
1b) glory
1b1) of rank, renown
1b2) as attribute of God
1c) honour (or nation Israel)
1d) glorying, boasting (of individual)
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absoluteHC/Ncfsa
מִקְדָּשׁ (miqdash) refers to a sacred place or sanctuary, often associated with the temple or tabernacle of Jehovah. It can denote a consecrated space, including those dedicated to idols, and is derived from a root meaning to consecrate. The term encompasses various types of holy places, such as chapels and asylums.
מִקְדָּשׁ 74 n.m. sacred place, sanctuary
base
H4720 מִקְדָּשׁ sacred place, sanctuary
4720 miqdash mik-dawsh'
or miqqdash (Exod. 15:17) {mik-ked-awsh'}; from 6942; a
consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary
(whether of Jehovah or of idols) or asylum:--chapel, hallowed
part, holy place, sanctuary.
see HEBREW for 06942
מִקְדָּשׁ (miq.dash) — sanctuary.
1) sacred place, sanctuary, holy place
1a) sanctuary
1a1) of the temple
1a2) of the tabernacle
1a3) of Ezekiel's temple
1a4) of Jehovah
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms