The Highest Beauty is Strong, Noble Magnificent
C. S. Horne, M. A. Psalm 96:6 Honor and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. You remember how Mr. Ruskin enforced the truth in his teaching about architecture. In the rudest forms of building, a strong arch was constructed by laying a huge square stone slab across two huge square upright pillars. When it was complete it had certainly the aspect of durability. Plain it was, and ugly, but surely, said the builder, it could not at any rate be stronger. On the contrary, arches did not become strong until they became beautiful. It was only when the curved line of beauty was discovered that the secret of strength was discovered too .... Or, again, you will remember how the old pillars of the ancient temples were made thick and square, and squat and ugly. But then came the discovery that you did not detract from strength if you built a more tapering pillar and adorned it with carved capitals, or fluted it from base to summit. There is no antagonism between strength and beauty. This psalmist is in agreement with the thought of the apostle who wrote, "I will make thee a pillar in the temple of my God." (C. S. Horne, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. WEB: Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.