The document discusses how the word "holy" is used frequently in the Psalms to describe things associated with God. It notes that "holy" is used to describe God's promises, dwelling place on a mountain, name, land, city, temple, throne, people, and as an adorning for his people. Having these associations with holiness suggests they take on significance from their connection to God, who is intrinsically holy.

1. ‘Holy’
In the Psalms
‘Holy’
In the Psalms
What’s so important to God
that it’s tied to His character?

2. A promise
Psalm 105:42
For he remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham.
1
verse
This is the only promise in the Bible called
a ‘holy promise’

3. A place - where the defender of the helpless is
Psalm 68:5
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
1
verse
God’s dwelling is the center of power
but also the center of defense for the powerless

4. His arm of salvation
Psalm 98:1
[ Psalm 98 ] [ A psalm. ] Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
1
verse
His saving acts are so tied to Himself
they are pictured as God’s arm

5. His ways
Psalm 77:13
Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?
1
verse

6. A footstool
.Psalm 99:5
Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy
1
verse
Glory and humility meet at God’s footstool

7. His angels
Psalm 89:5
The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
Psalm 89:7
In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him.
2
verses

8. Psalm 22:3
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.
His self
Psalm 51:11
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Psalm 71:22
I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.
Psalm 78:41
Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel.
Psalm 89:18
Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.
Psalm 99:3
Let them praise your great and awesome name— he is holy.
6
verses
God is intrinsically
holy
Things nearest
to God can
become
holy by association

9. His name
Psalm 105:3
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Psalm 103:1
[ Psalm 103 ] [ Of David. ] Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being,
praise his holy name.
Psalm 99:3
Let them praise your great and awesome name— he is holy.
Psalm 30:4
Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name
Psalm 33:21
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
Psalm 97:12
Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.
Psalm 106:47
Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.
Psalm 111:9
He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever
— holy and awesome is his name.
Psalm 145:21
My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
9
verses
His name
is how his self
is understood
‘the fame of
His name’

10. A place - a land
Psalm 78:54
And so he brought them to the border of his holy land, to the hill country his right hand had taken.
1
verse

11. A place - his mountain
Psalm 99:9
Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain,
for the Lord our God is holy.
Psalm 99:5
Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.
Psalm 2:6
“I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”
Psalm 3:4
I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.
Psalm 15:1
[ Psalm 15 ] [ A psalm of David. ] Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
Psalm 24:3
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand
in his holy place?
Psalm 43:3
Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
The most common
word qualified by holy
in Psalms is ‘his hill’ or
‘his mountain’
10
verses

12. A place - his mountain
Psalm 48:1
[ Psalm 48 ] [ A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. ] Great is the Lord,
and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain.
Psalm 87:1
[ Psalm 87 ] [ Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song. ]
He has founded his city on the holy mountain.
Psalm 99:9
Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain
for the Lord our God is holy.
10
verses
The most common
word qualified by holy
in Psalms is ‘his hill’ or
‘his mountain’
( Mt Zion being
a fairly ‘humble’ accessible
mountain as opposed to K2)

13. Initially, the holy mountain was Sinai,
where the mountain was
oppressive and inaccessible.
Later in the history, the holy mountain
shifts to Jerusalem, a modest sized hill,
more easily accessible,
where people dwelled and worshiped
a picture of life in a greater version
of ‘the promised land’.
Differing pictures of God’s ‘holy mountain’

14. Psalm 46:4
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
A place - a city
1
verse

15. A place - the temple
Psalm 5:7
But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence
I bow down toward your holy temple.
Psalm 11:4
The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.
Psalm 28:2
Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
Psalm 65:4
Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.
Psalm 79:1
[ Psalm 79 ] [ A psalm of Asaph. ] O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
Psalm 138:2
I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love
and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame.
6
verses
Whether the Old Testament ‘Temple’ or
the New Testament ‘you are the temple of the Holy Spirit’
both a holy place

16. A throne
Psalm 47:8
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.
1
verse

17. Psalm 16:3
I say of the holy people who are in the land,
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
A people
Psalm 34:9
Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.
2
verses
from a Psalm
pointing to the resurrection
of Christ
From Psalm 34
which makes the point
‘taste and see
that the Lord
is good”

18. An adorning for his people
Psalm 110:3
Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor,
your young men will come to you like dew from the morning’s womb.
1
verse

19. fin’
‘Holy’
In the Psalms
‘Holy’
In the Psalms
What’s so important to God
that it’s tied to His character?