Word Study: Glory

As Christians, we often say things like, “to God be the glory” or “the glory of God.” This past Saturday as a group of youth and their parents sat around a bonfire, watching the sun set behind it, a young youth pastor read from Psalm 19. 

The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (vs.1)

It was easy to experience the amazing beauty of His handiwork, captured in the photo below,  but I wondered for a moment — what exactly does the Bible mean by “the glory of God.”

If you’re unsure about what it means to do a word study, or why I do them, take a peek back atlast week’s post on the word, “attentive.” I explain more there.  

 

According to the Webster’s 1828: 

Glory: n. Brightness; luster; splendor; magnificence; honor; praise; the divine perfections or excellence.

 

bright — shining; luminous; splendid

splendor — great brightness; brilliant luster

magnificent — grand in appearance; exhibiting grandeur

honor — esteem due

praise — commendation bestowed on a person for his personal virtues or worthy actions

divine — pertaining to the true God.

excellent — being of great virtue or worth; eminent

 

Pertaining to the one true God, glory is the appearance of being brilliant and grand, worthy of praise, luminous, being of great worth and virtue. 

 

 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he! (Psalm 99:3)

My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day. (Psalm 71:8)

How magnificent your work, God! How profound your thoughts! (Psalm 92:5)

God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness. (Psalm 145:3)

 

After spending some time learning more about the dictionary definition of glory, the spirit of the keywords, and reading other verses containing these words, it becomes clear that the word “glory” speaks to the character of God.

And it is obvious that beauty emanates from this character.  

Some of us are drawn closer to him by the beauty of sunsets, snow-capped mountains, ocean waves, or sweet newborn babies. It is God’s glory that is revealed in all of these. His brilliance and splendor.  And His power!

Romans 1: 20 tells us —

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

“They” means all of us — every human on earth is without excuse as to the knowledge of a Creator God. Creation cries out in praise and worship, revealing His glory. Creation proves He is a God worthy of praise– He is a luminous, splendid, virtuous God. 

May we all live lives that bring glory to the one true God for no other reason than he is worthy. And the next time you see an amazing sunset, know that you are getting a glimpse right into the heart of God.