Psalms 96:9

Authorized King James Version

PDF

O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Original Language Analysis

הִשְׁתַּחֲו֣וּ O worship H7812
הִשְׁתַּחֲו֣וּ O worship
Strong's: H7812
Word #: 1 of 8
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
לַ֭יהוָה the LORD H3068
לַ֭יהוָה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּהַדְרַת in the beauty H1927
בְּהַדְרַת in the beauty
Strong's: H1927
Word #: 3 of 8
decoration
קֹ֑דֶשׁ of holiness H6944
קֹ֑דֶשׁ of holiness
Strong's: H6944
Word #: 4 of 8
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
חִ֥ילוּ fear H2342
חִ֥ילוּ fear
Strong's: H2342
Word #: 5 of 8
properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e., (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; fi
מִ֝פָּנָ֗יו before H6440
מִ֝פָּנָ֗יו before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 6 of 8
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 7 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ him all the earth H776
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ him all the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 8 of 8
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis & Commentary

O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. The psalmist summons universal worship with two imperatives. "Worship" (hishtachavu, הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ) comes from shachah (שָׁחָה), meaning to bow down, prostrate oneself—physical expression of reverence and submission. True worship involves the body, not merely internal affection or intellectual assent.

"In the beauty of holiness" (behadrat-qodesh, בְּהַדְרַת־קֹדֶשׁ) is a rich phrase. Hadrah (הֲדָרָה) means beauty, splendor, or majesty; qodesh (קֹדֶשׁ) means holiness, set-apartness, sacred purity. The phrase could mean:

  1. worship in holy splendor/sacred attire
  2. worship characterized by holiness, or
  3. worship God who is beautifully holy.

All three senses converge: genuine worship of the Holy One requires worshipers approaching in holiness, arrayed in the beauty of righteousness.

"Fear before him, all the earth" (chilu mipanav kol-ha'arets, חִילוּ מִפָּנָיו כָּל־הָאָרֶץ) uses chul (חוּל), meaning to tremble, be in anguish, or writhe—response to overwhelming divine presence. This fear isn't terror driving people away but awe drawing them near in worship. Revelation depicts this fear: creatures around God's throne cry "Holy, holy, holy" (Revelation 4:8), and redeemed multitudes fall before Him (Revelation 7:11).

Historical Context

Israel's worship was regulated by holiness codes—priests wore special garments, followed purification rituals, and approached God only as prescribed (Leviticus 8-10). This external holiness symbolized the inner holiness God required: "Be ye holy; for I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44; 1 Peter 1:16). The temple's architecture itself taught holiness—progressing from outer courts (accessible to Gentiles), to inner courts (Israelites), to Holy Place (priests), to Most Holy Place (high priest once yearly). Christ's sacrifice tore the veil (Matthew 27:51), granting believers direct access while maintaining the call to holy worship (Hebrews 10:19-22; 12:28-29).

Questions for Reflection