This article will be based on Psalm 99, a psalm that places the spotlight firmly on one of the most essential attributes of God: His holiness. This psalm does not focus primarily on what God gives, but on who God is. It shows us how holy the Lord is and why He is worthy of worship and praise. As we have said many times in previous articles, and as Scripture consistently affirms, we have been created to worship the name of God. Worship is not a secondary activity in the Christian life; it is our very purpose.
Possibly one of the most important questions in the entire Christian life is this: Why do we give praise to God? What is the true and central motive behind our worship? This is not a trivial question. The answer to it reveals much about the condition of our hearts. There is always the danger that worship becomes distorted, superficial, or self-centered.
There are people who praise God mainly for what they receive from Him. Others worship because they enjoy the atmosphere of a religious gathering, the music, or the sense of belonging to a community. While these things are not necessarily wrong, they are not the foundation of true worship. True worship goes far beyond emotions, benefits, or social experiences. True worship is rooted in the recognition of who God is in His essence.
Beloved brothers and sisters, praising God for who He is—independently of what He gives us—is something deeper, purer, and more sublime. It is the kind of worship that remains firm even when blessings are scarce, when prayers seem unanswered, and when circumstances are difficult. Worship that is grounded in God’s character is unshakable.
Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Psalm 99:5
This verse captures the heart of Psalm 99. The psalmist does not say, “Worship the Lord because He gives you prosperity,” or “because He solves your problems,” or “because He makes your life easier.” Instead, the reason is simple and profound: “for He is holy.”
Holiness is not merely one attribute among many; it is the defining attribute of God’s character. God is love, God is just, God is merciful, God is powerful—but the Bible repeatedly emphasizes that God is holy. His holiness permeates all His other attributes. His love is holy love, His justice is holy justice, His mercy is holy mercy, and His power is holy power.
The more we understand the holiness of God, the more genuine our worship becomes. Holiness reveals God’s absolute moral purity, His separation from sin, and His complete otherness from everything created. God is not simply a greater version of humanity; He is entirely different in nature. He is infinitely pure, infinitely righteous, and infinitely perfect.
This is why Scripture places such strong emphasis on holiness. In fact, holiness is the only attribute of God that is emphasized through repetition in a unique way. When the prophet Isaiah was granted a vision of God’s throne, he did not hear the angels proclaim, “Love, love, love,” or “Power, power, power,” but rather:
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Isaiah 6:3
This threefold repetition is not accidental. It is a Hebrew way of expressing intensity and absolute fullness. God is not merely holy; He is holy to the highest degree. His holiness is unmatched, unapproachable, and infinite.
Psalm 99 reinforces this truth by repeatedly calling attention to God’s holiness. The psalm presents God as the reigning King, exalted above the nations, feared by all peoples, and yet intimately involved with His covenant people. His holiness does not make Him distant in an impersonal sense, but it does make Him worthy of reverence, awe, and humble submission.
To worship at His footstool, as the psalmist says, is an image of humility. It recognizes that God is exalted and that we are not. True worship always begins with a correct understanding of God and a correct understanding of ourselves. When we see God as holy, we inevitably see ourselves as dependent, fragile, and in need of grace.
This is why casual or irreverent worship is incompatible with a biblical view of God. When holiness is minimized, worship becomes shallow. When holiness is ignored, worship becomes centered on human feelings rather than divine truth. But when holiness is rightly understood, worship becomes serious, joyful, reverent, and deeply satisfying.
Charles Spurgeon expressed this truth with remarkable clarity when he said:
“Holiness is the harmony of all the virtues. The Lord has not one glorious attribute alone, or in excess, but all glories are in him as a whole; this is the crown of his honour and the honour of his crown. His power is not his choicest jewel, nor his sovereignty, but his holiness.”
Spurgeon understood that holiness is not one isolated quality but the perfect balance and harmony of all that God is. God’s holiness is the crown of His glory. Without holiness, power would be terrifying, sovereignty would be oppressive, and justice would be unbearable. But because God is holy, all His attributes function in perfect unity and goodness.
This understanding reshapes our worship. We no longer approach God merely as someone who meets our needs, but as the Holy One who deserves our reverence, obedience, and love. We worship not to manipulate God, but to respond to Him. We do not praise Him to get something from Him, but because He is worthy of praise.
When worship is rooted in God’s holiness, it also transforms our daily lives. True worship does not end when the music stops or when we leave the church building. A holy God calls His people to live holy lives. This does not mean perfection, but separation from sin and devotion to God.
The New Testament echoes this call clearly:
Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1 Peter 1:16
Worship and holiness are inseparable. A life that truly worships God will increasingly reflect His character. The more we know Him, the more we are changed by Him. The more we contemplate His holiness, the more we are moved to humility, repentance, gratitude, and praise.
Therefore, let us examine the motives of our worship. Do we praise God only when things are going well? Do we worship Him mainly for what He gives us? Or do we worship Him because He is holy, righteous, and glorious, regardless of circumstances?
Psalm 99 invites us to lift our eyes beyond ourselves and fix them on the Holy King who reigns forever. It calls us to exalt the Lord, to bow before Him in reverence, and to worship Him for who He is.
May our worship be shaped not by personal convenience or emotional excitement, but by a deep and growing understanding of God’s holiness. And as we grow in that understanding, may our praise become more sincere, more humble, and more pleasing to the Holy One of Israel.