Psalm 99:3

Psalm 99:3, in plain English

You're invited to respond to God's greatness by praising Him—His name itself reflects His character, and that character is fundamentally holy, which means He's set apart, pure, and completely unlike anything else.

Why it's here

In Hebrew thinking, a name carried weight—it represented someone's actual character and reputation. When you praised God's name, you were acknowledging not just who He was, but what He actually did and how He actually treated people. This wasn't empty flattery; it was recognition of truth.

Who's speaking

The psalmist speaking directly to the worshiping community—a call to action, inviting people to participate in what comes naturally when you truly understand who God is.

Where it sits in the story

Holiness is God's defining characteristic throughout Scripture—it's what makes Him God, what sets Him apart from creation, and what makes approaching Him both a privilege and something that requires reverence.

The scholarly reading

The community is called to praise God's name because it is great, awesome, and fundamentally holy.

Language and setting

The repetition of 'let them praise' (yodū, from yadah) shifts from declaration to exhortation—moving from cosmic affirmation to liturgical participation. The 'great and awesome name' invokes the numinous character of the divine identity as revealed and known; in Hebrew thought, the name carried the presence and power of the thing named. This resonates with the Second Commandment's prohibition against misusing the divine name, implying that proper praise aligns with the name's true character.

Voice

The psalmist as worship leader, summoning the assembled congregation to participatory response.

Significance

The call to praise God's name connects to the Abrahamic covenant where God's name becomes known progressively (Genesis 17:1, Exodus 3:13-15), and anticipates the prayer Jesus taught his disciples: 'Hallowed be Your name'—sanctifying the very name at the center of this psalm's exhortation.

1The LORD reigns; let the nations tremble! He is enthroned above the cherubim; let the earth quake!

2Great is the LORD in Zion; He is exalted above all the peoples.

3Let them praise Your great and awesome name— He is holy!

4The mighty King loves justice. You have established equity; You have exercised justice and righteousness in Jacob.

5Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool; He is holy!

Read all of Psalm 99 — Three times the psalm declares God's holiness. He is a forgiving God — and a God who holds people accountable. Both, simultaneously.