Technically, I guess, it’s not written to me. I’m not a heavenly being, nor am I a mighty one. But that it was written for me is beyond dispute.

Beyond dispute not only because all Scripture is God-breathed and is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2Tim. 3:16). Nor because the testimony of Scripture itself is that “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction” (Rom. 15:4). But beyond dispute because of the stirring of my soul as I savor the words. Because of all the thoughts that flood my mind, more than I could conjure up on my own, as I read the text. These inert lines on the page priming the pump of a living and active dynamic within my person.

And this morning I’m chewing on the splendor of holiness.

Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.

(Psalm 29:1-2 ESV)

In my translation it’s a call to the heavenly beings. In other translations, to mighty ones. And the command to obey is to ascribe to the Lord. To give Him His due. To acknowledge His glory, His strength, and the glory due His very nature and being. A command to worship. And though written to them, it was written for me.

And how should this worship be rendered? In the splendor of holiness. Literally in the “holy adornment” of “set-apartness.”

And as I hover of this exhortation, I ask myself, “Self, in the splendor of what, or whose holiness?” What’s the adornment referenced here? What’s the sacredness to be recognized which primes the pump of over-flowing adoration?

Is it the splendor of the holy temple of God? Worshiping in that place where the glory dwells? Is it the splendor of God, Himself? The LORD who is over all arrayed with holiness because He is holy, holy, holy? Or, is it the holy adornment of the worshiper? Those approaching the footstool of God themselves having put on, as it were, their Sunday best. Arrayed in the beauty of garments worthy of entering the presence of a holy God? And I’m thinking, yes, yes, and . . . yes!

But the one which particularly fills me with awe, wonder, and worship this morning is the thought that I worship God in the splendor of my holiness. In the beauty of my adornment. That I bear the garments fit for the presence of God. Yet, garments not my own.

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

(Isaiah 61:10 ESV)

People, I am all dressed up and I got some place to go!

Righteous as I wear the robe of Another’s righteousness. Holy, as I bear the holiness of the holy Son of God. Confident in my place before the God of creation because of the perfection credited to my account through the finished work of the cross and the risen power of the Savior.

Worshiping the LORD in the splendor of holiness. My holiness! My set-apartness in Him. My beautiful adornment the adorning of His beauty.

How can I help but worship Him?

Ascribing to Him the glory due His name for the grace which clothes me in the splendor of His holiness!

Amen?