Psalms 99:3 · Bible study
Psalms 99:3 Commentary: The Holy and Awesome Name
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Examine the meaning of God's 'great and terrible' name and the translation of 'He is holy' in this psalm of praise.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The verse summons all peoples to praise God’s awesome name because he is holy.
- Key words: H3034 yadah (praise/confess), H3372 yare (fear, awe), H6918 qadosh (holy, set apart), H8034 shem (name, reputation).
- Main debate: Does 'qadosh hu' mean 'for it is holy' (referring to the name) or 'Holy is he' (referring to God directly)?
- Theological theme: God’s holiness as the foundation for worship and reverent fear.
- Best use: A call to worship that grounds awe in God’s moral perfection; suitable for liturgical reading and personal meditation.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Let them praise Your great and awesome name— He is holy!
WEB World English Bible 2000
Let them praise your great and awesome name. He is Holy!
KJV King James Version 1769
Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Let them praise thy great and terrible name: Holy is he.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
They praise Thy name, `Great, and fearful, holy it is.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
They shall praise thy great and terrible name, — it is holy! —
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Know ye that the Lord he is God: he made us, and not we ourselves. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Alaben tu nombre grande y tremendo: él es santo.
Louvem o teu grande e temível nome, porque ele é santo;
Qu’ on célèbre ton nom grand et redoutable!
Man danke deinem großen und wunderbaren Namen, der da heilig ist.
Dat zij Uw groten en vreselijken Naam loven, die heilig is;
Lodino essi il tuo nome grande e tremendo. Egli è santo.
Niech wysławiają imię twoje wielkie i straszne; albowiem święte jest.
Познайте, что Господь есть Бог, что Он сотворил нас, и мы - Его, Его народ и овцы паствы Его.
他們當稱讚 他大 而可畏的 名；他 本為聖！
Let them give praise to your name, for it is great and to be feared; holy is he.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Psalms 99:3
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Psalm 99:3 calls all peoples to praise God's name because of its holiness and awe-inspiring character. The Hebrew word translated 'terrible' (nora, נוֹרָא) denotes what is to be feared or reverenced, not merely frightening (Barnes). The name (shem) represents God's revealed character and power. The refrain qadosh hu, whether rendered 'for it is holy' (referring to the name) or 'Holy is he' (referring to God directly), grounds the praise in God's absolute moral purity and otherness (Cambridge Bible; Clarke). This holiness is the reason for praise, echoing the seraphic cry in Isaiah 6:3 (Keil & Delitzsch). The verse functions as a chorus in the psalm, repeated at verses 5 and 9 (Clarke), calling the whole earth to acknowledge the King who is great and holy. Across traditions, the common thread is that God's holiness demands reverent worship from every nation.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- For it is holy (referring to the name): KJV and many older translations (Clarke, Gill) read the pronoun 'hu' as referring to 'name' (shem). The Hebrew syntax allows a feminine/neuter rendering: 'it is holy.'
- Holy is he (referring to God): Cambridge Bible and RV point to the parallel refrains in Psalm 99:5 and 9, where 'he is holy' (using the same 'hu') unambiguously refers to God. The connection with Isaiah 6:3 also favors a direct reference to God.
What is clear: Regardless of whether we read 'for it is holy' or 'Holy is he,' the shared and certain core is that God’s holiness is the foundation for all praise and reverent worship.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Translation of 'qadosh hu' | The Hebrew phrase can be read as either 'for it is holy' (referring to God's name) or 'Holy is he' (referring to God directly). Both readings are grammatically possible. | The KJV and many older translations adopt 'for it is holy' (Clarke, Gill). The Cambridge Bible and RV prefer 'Holy is he,' noting that the parallel refrains in verses 5 and 9 (where the Hebrew clearly says 'he is holy') support this rendering. Each side finds support in the context. |
| Meaning of 'nora' (terrible/awesome) | The word denotes something that inspires fear or reverence. It is used of God's deeds and name throughout the OT. | Barnes emphasizes 'to be feared or reverenced' as proper worshipful awe. Some readers associate 'terrible' with terror, but the psalm’s wider context, God’s justice, forgiveness, and covenant faithfulness, suggests a fear that draws near rather than flees. |
| Scope of the call to praise | The call in verse 3 ('Let them praise') refers to the peoples/nations mentioned in verses 1-2. God’s reign extends over all the earth. | Calvin argues that the psalm primarily addresses the posterity of Abraham, calling them to praise for their exclusive privilege. Keil and Delitzsch see a universal hope that all peoples will acknowledge God’s name, a hope that moves the poet. |
| Nature of God's holiness | Holiness is the ground for praise; it is God’s moral perfection and separateness. | Barnes focuses on God’s purity and hatred of sin: 'He cannot look upon sin but with abhorrence.' Gill highlights that God’s name is holy and reverend, encompassing his divine and human natures. Both see holiness as majestic and pure. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Psalm 99 belongs to the collection of psalms (93, 100) that proclaim Yahweh’s kingship. The imagery of cherubim and God’s footstool points directly to the ark of the covenant in the Jerusalem temple (vv.1, 5). When the psalmist calls for the earth to tremble, he uses language from Deuteronomy’s 'great and awesome God' (Deut 7:21; 28:58). The Hebrew yare (fear) here means reverent awe, not paralyzing terror. As Keil and Delitzsch note, citing the ancient Breviarium in Psalterium, the trembling leads to healing, not destruction.
The refrain 'holy' echoes the seraphim’s cry in Isaiah 6 and structures the psalm into three movements (Lange). Each movement expands: first God’s universal reign, then his justice in Jacob, then his forgiveness in history with Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. The psalm thus roots worship in God’s historical acts of redemption and judgment. It may have been composed for use in temple liturgy, perhaps after the exile, when Israel needed reassurance that God’s kingdom does not depend on an earthly king (Lange). The call for 'all peoples' to praise reflects a hope that the nations will one day acknowledge the God of Israel.
Textual Notes
Reception History
Psalm 99:3 has been a fixture of both Jewish and Christian worship. The thrice-repeated 'holy' (vv.3,5,9) echoes the seraphic trisagion of Isaiah 6. The Breviarium in Psalterium (attributed to Jerome) and Keil and Delitzsch connect the psalm’s trembling of the earth to a movement toward healing, not fear. In the Christian tradition, the triple holiness was linked to the Trinity, especially in the Sanctus of the Eucharistic liturgy. Medieval commentators read the psalm as a prophecy of Christ’s reign over all nations. Reformed interpreters such as Calvin emphasized God’s covenantal faithfulness to Israel, while also drawing the call out to the wider church. Today the phrase 'He is holy' remains a common acclamation in many congregations, reminding worshippers that reverence and intimacy belong together.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Name that Inspires Awe. God’s name is great (gadol) and awesome (nora). It represents his character: powerful, just, and holy. The fear it produces is the beginning of wisdom.
- The Call that Goes Out. 'Let them praise' envisions all peoples, not just Israel, joining in worship. God’s reign over the earth demands a global response.
- The Foundation of Holiness. Whether we read 'for it is holy' or 'Holy is he,' the bedrock of praise is God’s moral perfection. Holiness is both the reason and the content of worship.
Five-point outline
- God reigns enthroned. The psalm opens with Yahweh as king above the cherubim (v.1).
- His name is great. His reputation and power fill the earth (v.3a).
- His name is awesome. It stirs reverent fear in those who draw near (v.3b).
- He is holy. The repeated refrain (vv.3,5,9) underscores his absolute otherness and purity.
- Worship is the response. Exalt and bow down before the King who loves justice and forgives sin (vv.4-8).
Illustration hooks
- A storm at sea. The power of a hurricane inspires awe and caution. We cannot control it, but we can respect its force. God’s awesome name evokes a similar humble wonder.
- A courtroom judge. When a judge enters, the room falls silent. The silence is not terror but respect for authority. Praising God’s 'terrible name' acknowledges his right to judge and to save.
- A parent’s reputation. A child is proud or ashamed of their family name. God’s name is great and holy; his reputation among the nations matters, and our praise upholds it.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does the Bible call God 'terrible' when we think of him as loving?
- What is the difference between healthy fear of God and being scared of him?
- How can I praise God when I don't feel awe in my daily life?
Leading a Discussion
Psalm 99:3 challenges us to consider what it means to praise a God who is both great and awesome, holy and near. The verse sits at the centre of a psalm about God’s kingship over all the earth. As you discuss, pay attention to the words 'name,' 'terrible/awesome,' and 'holy.' Consider the different ways Christians have understood the final phrase 'qadosh hu.'
Discussion questions
- What does the word 'name' (shem) mean in the Old Testament? How does it go beyond a personal label?
- Why do you think the psalm calls for the earth to tremble? How does that fit with God’s love and mercy?
- The Hebrew word nora is translated 'terrible' or 'awesome.' Which meaning do you think the psalmist intended? What difference does the choice make for worship?
- Compare the refrain in verses 3, 5, and 9. What does the repetition of 'He is holy' emphasize about God’s character?
- How does the history of Israel (Moses, Aaron, Samuel, the pillar of cloud) in verses 6, 8 connect back to the call to praise in verse 3?
- In what ways can we cultivate a healthy 'fear of the Lord' in our daily lives without falling into unhealthy dread?
- The psalm invites all peoples to praise. How can your congregation more intentionally worship God as the King over all nations, not just your own community?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Deuteronomy 7:21 | You shall not be scared of them; for Yahweh your God is among you, a great and awesome God. |
| Deuteronomy 28:58 | If you will not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and fearful name, YAHWEH your God, |
| Joshua 24:19 | Joshua said to the people, “You can’t serve Yahweh, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your disobedience nor your sins. |
| I Samuel 2:2 | There is no one as holy as Yahweh, for there is no one besides you, nor is there any rock like our God. |
| Nehemiah 1:5 | and said, “I beg you, Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments, |
| Nehemiah 4:14 | I looked, and rose up, and said to the nobles, to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them! Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” |
| Nehemiah 9:32 | Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness, don’t let all the travail seem little before you that has come on us, on our kings, on our princes, on our priests, on our prophets, on our fathers, and on all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria to this day. |
| Psalms 66:3 | Tell God, “How awesome are your deeds! Through the greatness of your power, your enemies submit themselves to you. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke observes that the phrase "for it is holy" closes verses three, five, and nine, suggesting a solemn chorus repeated after each section. He teaches that God's holiness, His pure and immaculate nature, is the foundation for all praise and worship demanded by the text.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes points out that the word “terrible” describes what inspires reverent awe, not dread. He calls all nations to praise God precisely because he is holy—pure and righteous. A God who was not holy could not rightly be worshipped.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin observes that this psalm shifts from calling the people to rejoice to commanding them to tremble. Its focus is on God's kingdom as confined to Judea and the privilege of Israel's adoption. The purpose is to magnify God's power so that his people know they are safe under his guardianship.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes a key ambiguity in the phrase: it could praise God's name as holy, but parallel passages suggest the intended meaning is "Holy is he." God's absolute moral perfection, not any outward act, is the highest ground for worship.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Bible notes highlight that God's name is both great and fearful, deserving praise precisely because it is holy. This holy character inspires awe and reverence, not casual acknowledgment.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill draws a sharp contrast in how God's name is received: the name Jesus is loving and lovely to believers, but the title Lion of the tribe of Judah strikes terror in his enemies. He emphasizes that holiness itself is the foundation for praise, not just power or majesty.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB explains that "name" here stands for God's perfections—His justice, power, and other attributes. This great and terrible name produces awe while also demanding praise from those who recognize His exaltation. The phrase "it is holy" identifies God Himself as holy.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch sees the trembling of the earth not as terror but as the necessary shaking that leads to healing and salvation. They also note that the psalm shifts from addressing God directly to declaring "Holy is He," connecting this verse directly to the seraphic song in Isaiah.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange's key insight is that the psalm's threefold cry of "holy" mirrors the angelic song in Isaiah 6, dividing the psalm into three movements. Each section praises a different aspect of God's kingship: first His terrifying might, then His righteous rule in Israel, and finally His faithfulness shown through mediators like Moses and Samuel.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry highlights the terror that accompanied God's reign under the Old Testament, making even his own people tremble. He contrasts this with the New Testament, where Christ's reign inspires holy love rather than fear, and warns that God's enemies will ultimately be crushed.