Getting a handle of what “the Glory of my soul” means in the Bible.
I asked ChatGPT: From the book, Valley of Vision, a Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions, There is a devotion titled, Worship (p.p. 358-359). The first line is, “It is the flame of my life to worship thee, the Crown and glory of my soul to adore thee, heavenly pleasure to approach thee.” I want to get a biblical understanding of the phrase “glory of my soul.” What does “glory of my soul” mean? What are some Bible verses that refer to “glory of my soul”?
The response was:
The phrase “glory of my soul” conveys the idea that God is the most exalted, treasured, and defining reality of the worshiper’s innermost being. To call God the “glory of my soul” means that He is the source of ultimate worth, beauty, and honor, the one in whom the soul finds its highest delight, purpose, and fulfillment. Biblically, “glory” often refers to weightiness, splendor, or the manifestation of God’s perfection and majesty. In the context of the soul, it reflects the deep, personal acknowledgment of God as the most significant and satisfying reality.
Here are some Bible verses that relate to this theme:
1. Psalm 62:7
“On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.”
• This verse connects personal glory with God’s strength and salvation. The psalmist acknowledges that his honor and value are derived entirely from God, who is his refuge.
2. Psalm 73:25-26
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
• While not using the exact phrase, this passage reflects the essence of God being the supreme treasure and “glory” of the soul.
3. Psalm 16:9
“Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.”
• The joy of the soul is bound to God’s presence and promises, implying that He is its source of glory and delight.
4. Jeremiah 9:23-24
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.’”
• To glory in God is to find the highest honor and joy in knowing and relating to Him.
5. Philippians 3:8
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
• Paul reflects the same sentiment: the glory of his soul is found in Christ, surpassing all other treasures.
6. Habakkuk 3:17-18
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”
• Even in scarcity, God is the glory and joy of the prophet’s soul, demonstrating that true worth and delight are in Him.
Themes of Glory in the Soul
1. God as Source of Joy and Worth: Scriptures like Psalm 62:7 and Philippians 3:8 emphasize that God is the ultimate satisfaction and honor for the soul.
2. God’s Presence as Delight: Verses such as Psalm 73:25-26 highlight the soul’s longing for and fulfillment in God.
3. Glory Derived from God’s Character: Jeremiah 9:23-24 and Habakkuk 3:17-18 point to God’s steadfast love, justice, and salvation as the reason for the soul’s boasting and joy. [mine: our capacity (faculty) for, among other things, love, justice, and righteousness come from God.
By describing God as the “glory of my soul,” the Valley of Vision prayer aligns with the biblical truth that the soul finds its greatest purpose, meaning, and satisfaction in treasuring and worshiping God above all.
My Glory
I asked a follow-up question: The NASB says in Ps 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. What does “my glory” mean or stand for?
The response:
In Psalm 16:9 (NASB), the phrase “my glory rejoices” raises the question of what “my glory” signifies. The Hebrew word translated as “glory” in this verse is kābōd (כָּבוֹד), which often denotes weight, honor, splendor, or significance. In this context, “my glory” most likely refers to the psalmist’s innermost being, his soul, or his capacity to praise and delight in God.
Interpretations of “My Glory” in Psalm 16:9:
1. The Soul or Inner Self: [my glory is a synonym for my soul]
• Many scholars and commentators interpret “my glory” as a poetic way of describing the psalmist’s soul or spiritual essence, the part of him most connected to God.
• This parallels other poetic expressions in Hebrew where the soul or inner being is described with elevated language (e.g., “Bless the Lord, O my soul” in Psalm 103:1).
2. Capacity for Praise and Honor:
• “My glory” may also refer to the psalmist’s capacity to praise, rejoice, and glorify God. In this sense, it highlights that the highest purpose of human existence is to glorify God and find joy in Him.
3. Human Dignity Restored in God:
• Another interpretation is that “my glory” reflects the dignity and worth God has given the psalmist as one made in His image. Rejoicing in “my glory” could mean rejoicing in the restored, honored relationship between the psalmist and God.
Supporting Scriptural Parallels:
1. Psalm 108:1 (NASB):
“My heart is steadfast, God; I will sing, I will sing praises also with my soul [lit. ‘my glory’].”
• Here, “my glory” is often understood as the soul or the faculty of worship.
2. Psalm 57:8 (NASB):
“Awake, my glory! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.”
• The psalmist calls on his “glory,” likely his innermost being, to rise and worship God.
3. Genesis 49:6 (NASB):
“Let my soul not enter their council; Let my glory not be united with their assembly…”
• In this blessing, “my glory” is used parallel to “my soul,” confirming a connection between the two.
4. Luke 1:46-47 (NASB):
“My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”
• Mary’s expression of worship echoes the idea that the soul or “glory” finds its highest joy in exalting God.
In the Context of Psalm 16:
• The psalmist is expressing profound trust and joy in God. His heart (emotions), glory (innermost being or soul), and flesh (body) are all secure and united in rejoicing because of God’s faithfulness and promises.
• The phrase “my glory rejoices” thus underscores the idea that every part of the psalmist’s being—especially the soul—delights in and exults in God.
Summary:
In Psalm 16:9, “my glory” most likely refers to the psalmist’s soul or his innermost self, which rejoices in the security and joy found in God’s presence and promises. This reflects a holistic worship where the whole person (spirit, soul, and body) responds to God in gratitude and trust.
Dictionary Definitions
I looked up glory in the dictionary. As a noun, there are 5 definition (the first is praise and honor, but not what we want here). The definitions that go with what is said above include:
- 2b: distinguished quality or asset//The glory of the city is its Gothic cathedral.
- 3a: a state of great gratification or exaltation//When she’s acting she’s in her glory.
- 3b: a height of prosperity or achievement//ancient Rome in its glory
- 4a(1): great beauty and splendor : MAGNIFICENCE//… the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome. — E. A. Poe
