"praise the beauty of holiness"

"praise the beauty of holiness"

The king “appointed singers unto the LORD,

and that should praise the beauty of holiness,

as they went out before the army, and to say,

Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.”

2 Chronicles 20.21

That is a very interesting phrase, “praise the beauty of holiness”.  Now, we must understand, these people were facing a big problem… a huge army!  They really had no hope!  They were about to be annihilated!  And… and … what did God tell them to do…?  He told them to sing, and “praise the beauty of holiness”..?!

I mean, in the context of facing a HUGE battle, they were told to praise the beauty… of holiness?!  Seriously!?

Well, think about this, “beauty” – means “decoration: - honour”, and then “holiness” – means “a sacred place or thing; consecrated (thing)”.

This hymn is a good one and it tells us who is Holy…

Oh soul are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Saviour
And life more abundant and free

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace             -Helen Lemmel

So what happened when these God-fearing people, sang good, wholesome, God-honouring songs, when they “praised the beauty of holiness”, when they looked to the LORD Jesus for help – even though they were facing a HUGE army?

“And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.”  2 Chronicles 20.22

So, let’s “look at the Saviour”, let’s “Look full in His wonderous face”,

let’s praise the beauty of holiness, let’s sing more about Him, and worry less!