Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 96:6

"Honor and majesty are before him: Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary." — Psalms 96:6 (ASV)

Honour and majesty are before him—This part of the verse is taken literally from (1 Chronicles 16:27). The meaning is, that which constitutes honor, glory, majesty, is in his presence, or wherever he is. Wherever he manifests himself, there are the exhibitions of honor and majesty. They are always the accompaniments of his presence.

Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary—This is slightly varied from the parallel passage in (1 Chronicles 16:27). The word rendered “strength” is in both places the same. The word rendered “beauty” here—תפארת tiph'ereth—is in (1 Chronicles 16:27) חדוה chedvâh—“joy or gladness.” The word here rendered “sanctuary”—מקדשׁ miqdâsh—is in (1 Chronicles 16:27)—מקום mâqôm—“place.” These variations show that the psalm is not a mere extract, but that it was altered by design, and adapted to the occasion on which it was to be used—confirming the supposition that it may have been used in the rededication of the temple after the return from the captivity.

The word “sanctuary” refers to the holy place where God dwells—his sacred abode. This can be his residence in heaven or the temple on earth as the place of his earthly habitation. When it is said that “strength” is there, it means that the dwelling-place of God is the source of “power,” or that power emanates from there; that is, from God himself. When it is said that “beauty” is there, the meaning is that whatever is suited to charm by loveliness, whatever is a real ornament, whatever makes the world attractive, whatever beautifies and adorns creation, has its home in God; it proceeds from him.

It may be added that whatever “power” there is to reform the world and convert sinners, whatever there is to turn people from their vicious and abandoned way of life, whatever there is to make the world better and happier, proceeds from the “sanctuary”—the church of God. Whatever truly adorns society and makes it more lovely and attractive, whatever diffuses a charm over domestic and social life, whatever makes the world more lovely or more desirable to live in—more courteous, more gentle, more humane, more kind, more forgiving—has its home in the “sanctuary,” or emanates from the church of God.