For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth. Psalm 47:2 (NLT)
I need to get something off my chest. I am frustrated by the devaluation of language. It is a fact that the meaning of words can change over time. For example, the word “sincere” originally referred to pure honey. “Nice” once meant foolish.
While I acknowledge that the meanings of words can evolve over time, I find it disconcerting that terms traditionally used to describe the character and attributes of God, such as "wonderful" or "awesome," are now frequently applied to ordinary and even inappropriate objects or events.
Adding to my irritation is the realization that I am not exempt from the misappropriation of words. How can I go from singing “Our God Is an Awesome God” to describing an event or other experience as awesome? I can relate to this quote: "You keep saying that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."- Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride.
There is not anything that we can do to alleviate the problem of word deficiency. Language describing God will always be inadequate. We should follow the advice of Solomon: As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:1–2 (NLT)
God Is Awesome
In the Bible, the word awesome is used few times, but always refers to God, his character, or his actions. The NIV uses the word awesome in thirty-four verses, all of them in the Old Testament. The word is never used to describe, even the mightiest men and women of God. “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols.” Isaiah 42:8 (NLT)
The Hebrew word that is translated as awesome means to “fear, be afraid, fear God, be feared, be honored, terrible, dreaded.” An English dictionary defines the word awe as: an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime [1]
We can understand using the word awesome to describe a theme park rides such as a roller coaster, a breathtaking view of the wonders of God’s creation. But to use awesome to describe a meal, a meeting, a form of entertainment strikes us as underwhelming.
The Handbook of Biblical Prayers gives us this perspective: The word ‘awesome’ is often used nowadays to simply mean ‘fantastic’ or ‘wonderful;’ but this is not its original meaning. If something was awesome, it brought about ‘awe’—that is, reverential fear, or healthy respect. [2]
I am not under any illusions that this little blog post is going to change anything, but I would like us to have an increased awareness of the majesty and glory of God. Even the loftiest words fail to capture God’s glory and awesomeness. Our God is an awesome God.
There Is No Comparison
I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands.” Daniel 9:4 (NLT)
Daniel was in captivity in Babylon, but it did not alter his view of God. Daniel proclaimed that God was awesome, even though his circumstances were less than ideal. The danger in using language that should be reserved to describe God to other things is that they will eventually disappoint us.
Thrills fade because nothing in this world lasts forever. Daniel could say that God is a great and awesome God because he always keeps his word and he will never disappoint us. With everything else besides God “Past performance is no guarantee of future results.” God alone is awesome because he will never fail us. The highest angelic powers stand in awe of God. He is far more awesome than all who surround his throne. Psalm 89:7 (NLT)
Some words and descriptions must be reserved for God because his greatness is beyond our comprehension. King David realized that there were things that God does that are beyond our ability to understand: Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Psalm 131:1 (NLT)
God alone is awesome. Lord, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power. Who would not fear you, O King of nations? That title belongs to you alone! Among all the wise people of the earth and in all the kingdoms of the world, there is no one like you. Jeremiah 10:6–7 (NLT)
Great Is the Lord
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. Psalm 145:3 (NLT)
Even though popular culture has devalued the meaning of words, there would be no benefit in trying to invent new language to describe the great and awesome God. For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! Isaiah 64:4 (NLT)
The best that we can do is to fall down at his feet and worship him. He is worthy of our praise and adoration. New language is unnecessary. But the Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him.” Habakkuk 2:20 (NLT).
If we must use words, we should take our cue from the angels: They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” Isaiah 6:3 (NLT)
Steve Ekeroth
[1] Inc Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 1996).
[2] Martin Manser and Mike Beaumont, Handbook of Bible Prayers (Manser and Beaumont, 2020), 104.