What does Psalm 29:2 mean?

In this verse David summons the heavenly host—angels—to credit the Lord with the glory He deserves. His "name," in this verse, stands for all that the Lord is. Believers as well as angels are called upon to glorify the Lord. First Corinthians 10:31 admonishes believers to "do all to the glory of God."

David also instructs the angels to "worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness." This phrase might also be translated as "in holy attire." In Old Testament times Israel received countless reminders that God is holy, and that His people must come before Him in holiness. Aaron, the high priest, wore a turban with a pure gold plate on its front that read, "Holy to the LORD" (Exodus 28:36). First Chronicles 16:29 instructed Israel to "worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness."

Isaiah caught a vision of the Lord on His throne and heard angels calling out to the Lord, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" (Isaiah 6:3). This psalm lifts up God's perfect and absolute worthiness to be praised in the strongest terms.