Majesty

The majesty of God is a familiar term to Christians who have been in and around church for any amount of time. It is a term, though, that carries a bit of mystery. It is hard to define off the top of one’s head. God is majestic in the sense that He is glorious; He is high and lifted up; He sits in heaven in splendid beauty. Kings and queens have been called “your majesty” in recognition of their sovereignty over the state. This understanding of the word might be equated with the truth that God’s is sovereign over the universe and everything in it. God has ultimate authority and power over everyone.

When you look at Scripture you find that God’s majesty is multilayered. In the Old Testament, there are ten Hebrew words that can be translated “majesty.” Several of these relate to God. In 1 Chronicles 16:26-27 God’s majesty speaks of His glorious splendor and adornment, 26 The LORD made the heavens. 27 Honor and majesty are before Him. In Psalm 29:4, majesty declares God’s position of authority, The voice of the Lord is full of majesty. When God speaks He has ultimate strength and wisdom. In Psalm 93:1, using a different Hebrew word, the Psalmists speaks of the kingly position of God, The Lord reigns and He is full of majesty. Here majesty speaks of God’s royal position as the Sovereign King in royal garb possessing all might and power. Ezekiel 7:20 uses the most popular Hebrew word for God’s majesty, As for the beauty of His ornaments, He is set in majesty. This is God’s position of eminence. The Roman Catholic Church uses this title, “your eminence” for its cardinals. But this title is God’s alone. God is superior to all other beings. God is high above all other creatures. He is excellent in all His ways and no one is like Him; He is set in majesty.

In the New Testament the word for majesty is found five times, four of those times referring to God the Father and once to Jesus Christ (Luke 9:43; Jude 25). 2 Peter 1:16 speaks of Christ, For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. The word here for Christ’s majesty is expressing His greatness, magnificence and grandeur. Christ is both majestic in His person and in His works. He is in the state of highest esteem because of Who He is and what He has done. Christ now resides in the place of highest honor (Hebrews 1:3; 8:1). Because of this, Christ is worthy of all glory, honor and power (Revelation 5:12). So when you think about God being majestic, it elevates your thoughts about God and you respond in worship and praise to His Name.