What is meant by the beauty of the Lord?
Question:
In Psalm 27:4 and others when it states the beauty of the Lord, what do you think of? There are several different ways, I think, to look at this and I wanted someone else's' opinion to help me.
Thank you.
Answer:
"One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple" (Psalms 27:4).
This isn't the only passage to talk about the beauty of God.
"Let Your work appear to Your servants, and Your glory to their children. And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands" (Psalms 90:16-17).
"Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; they will see the land that is very far off" (Isaiah 33:17).
We tend to think of beauty in terms of physical characteristics, but the Lord talks about the beauties of spiritual qualities. Physical qualities disappear. Spiritual qualities are eternal.
"Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness" (Psalms 29:2).
"Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power; in the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth" (Psalms 110:3).
"Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful" (Psalms 147:1).
"Do not let your adornment be merely outward -- arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel -- rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God" (I Peter 3:3-4).