Glorifying God

The giving of glory to God through acts of praise and obedience. Believers are to glorify God in their lives, as Jesus Christ glorified him in his life.

Believers are to glorify God

Psalm 96:1–9 parallel 1 Chronicles 16:23–29Isaiah 42:12 See also Isaiah 43:5–7, Isaiah 66:18–19; Habakkuk 2:14

Let them give glory to the LORD and declare His praise in the islands.

God is entitled to be glorified

Psalm 96:4–9 parallel 1 Chronicles 16:25–29 See also Psalm 29:1–2, Psalm 115:1; Isaiah 24:14–15

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but it is the LORD who made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty fill His sanctuary. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and enter His courts. Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth.

Glorifying God is the believer's natural response to him

Psalm 118:28 See also Psalm 34:3, Psalm 69:30, Psalm 86:12

You are my God, and I will give You thanks. You are my God, and I will exalt You.

God is glorified in Jesus Christ

John 13:31 See also John 14:13, John 17:4

When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.

Reasons for glorifying God

His holiness

Psalm 99:9 See also Revelation 15:4

Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy.

His great deeds

Psalm 86:8–10 See also Isaiah 25:1; 2 Corinthians 4:13–15

O Lord, there is none like You among the gods, nor any works like Yours. All the nations You have made will come and bow before You, O Lord, and they will glorify Your name. For You are great and perform wonders; You alone are God.

His loving mercy

Psalm 63:3 See also Psalm 115:1; Romans 15:8–9

Because Your loving devotion is better than life, my lips will glorify You.

His righteous judgments

Revelation 14:7 See also Ezekiel 28:22–23; Romans 11:33–36; Revelation 11:13

And he said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship the One who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and the springs of waters.”

Means of glorifying God

By praising God

Revelation 4:11, Revelation 7:12 See also Luke 2:13; Romans 11:33–36, Romans 16:27; Hebrews 13:20–21; 1 Peter 4:11; 2 Peter 3:18; Jude 1:25

“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”

saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

By living for God

1 Corinthians 10:31 See also Romans 4:20; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12; 1 Peter 4:10–13

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.

By doing good works and bearing fruit

John 15:8; Philippians 1:9–11 See also Matthew 5:16; Galatians 5:22–26; Hebrews 13:20–21; 1 Peter 2:12

This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Examples of glorifying God

1 Chronicles 29:10–13 David; Daniel 4:34–37 Nebuchadnezzar; Luke 1:46 Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ; Luke 2:13 the angels; Luke 2:20 the shepherds; John 13:31–32, John 17:1–4; Revelation 4:11, Revelation 7:12