We often sing the wonderful hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy”, but just what are we singing about? Of course, it is praise to God, but what is meant when we speak of Him being “holy”? The psalmist writes, “Exalt the LORD our God, – and worship at his holy hill, for the LORD our God is holy” (Ps. 99:9). The wise man used the same term in Proverbs 9:10: “’The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy is understanding.” Yet, while we sing about holiness, talk about holiness, quote the scriptures about holiness, a clear cut grasp of its grandeur may very well elude us. Thus, we need to examine the intent and content of holiness that we may truly worship God in the “beauty of holiness.”
Holiness means separateness. It is from the [Hebrew] word qdsh and its root qd, meaning to cut, to separate. It was that quality in God which separated or distinguished Him from things finite and created. “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come … Thou art worthy, 0 Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Rev.4:8, 11).The idea of separateness from the world is never lost in the meaning of holy. In the New Testament, the idea of sanctification is closely akin to the idea of holiness in the Old Testament, in hagiasmos, which translates as separation to God. “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30).”But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thes. 2:13).
Holy is used in two senses in the Bible. The first sense is that of separateness, or transcendency. “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex.20:8). “But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him” (Hab.2:20). Holy is used first of all with reference to all kinds of persons and things which have been separated from their ordinary sphere and placed in a peculiar relation to God and His service. Take note of the following:
Holy ground- And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground” (Ex.3:5).
Holy Sabbath- ”And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord” (Ex. 16:23).
Holy nation- ”And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of lsrael” (Ex.19:6).
Holy place- ”And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration, and boil its flesh in a holy place” (Ex. 29:31 / ASV).
Holy covenant- ”Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land”(Dan.11:28).
Holy promise- ”For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant” (Ps.105:42).
The other sense in which we find holy used is in reference to moral purity. “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?”(Hab.1:13). “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”(Rom.12:2).”And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:3).
-Sound Words Volume 14 Number 2 March-April, 2001
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