ט) הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לַה’ בְּהַדְרַת קֹדֶשׁ חִילוּ מִפָּנָיו כָּל הָאָרֶץ:
Prostrate yourselves to Hashem in the majestic sanctuary; quake before Him, all the earth.
The Malbim however takes a different approach and says that whilst it seems that people only dwell in the outer courtyards, it is precisely these courtyards that lead to the inner sanctum, the chamber of the king.
In truth Hashem does not dwell in metaphorical ivory tower, separated from the people, rather He is ready and willing to be seen by all those who visit His sanctuary. And when you do visit him, the natural and correct response is to bow down with fear and dread because of His awesomeness.
The Malbim explains that the term הדרת קודש is the product of a number of concepts. When Hashem reveals Himself elevated above the laws of nature, performing wonders and miracles according to His wishes, this is an expression of His kedusha, holiness. When he appears to His creations through His Divine providence this is called הדרת המלך, the king’s glory that He does not run the world through intermediaries.
Our fear of Hashem therefore ought to come after we have recognised that He has the ability to run the natural order at will and suspend the laws of nature and run the world according to his Will.
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