Give Jehovah Glory—2025 Year text

 David H. Splane: Give Jehovah Glory—2025 Year text

Well, I don’t have to tell you that many people today are totally self-absorbed. They spend a lot of time on the Internet—a lot of time on social media talking about themselves and talking about their own accomplishments.

And that’s in contrast with Jehovah’s people because Jehovah’s people are concerned with giving God glory. And this is in line with what we read at Psalm 96:8.

Now, this is the only text we’re going to read during this talk, and I am going to have a look at three words in the phrase that we’re going to be reading. So, please, let’s look it up. I’ll give you a moment to find it. If you’re like me, sometimes it takes a little while to find things in the Bible.

Psalm 96:8—and it’s just the first clause, the first phrase, that we’re going to look at. It says: “Give Jehovah the glory due his name.”

“Give Jehovah the glory due his name.”

Now, what were the circumstances during which these words were first spoken? They were first spoken on a very happy occasion—a special, spiritual occasion. They were first spoken—they’re part of a song, and that song was first composed by David when he was bringing the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem. So you can imagine the joy with which these words were spoken. And finally, eventually, that song became part of the theocratic songbook that the Israelites used when they were praising Jehovah.

Now, we’re going to focus on three words in this phrase that I just read—“glory,” “due,” and “name.”

“Give Jehovah the glory due his name.”

Now, when you think of the word “glory,” what comes to your mind? If you’re like me, you probably think of a blinding light, a light that’s so intense that you have to shield your eyes. And you might think of the words of the apostle John when he wrote that “God is light.” And so you might ask yourself, ‘How could an imperfect person like me give God glory?’

Well, it all comes together when we appreciate what the Scriptures mean by “glory.” Now, let’s be really simple. “Glory” in the Scriptures means “anything that makes someone or something impressive.”

I’m going to repeat that. In the Scriptures, “glory” means “anything that makes someone or something impressive.” Now, with that simple definition in mind, we realize that we can bring glory to God in our preaching work when we tell others how wonderful Jehovah is, how impressive he is.

We have many reasons to boast in our God. Our God is merciful and compassionate. Our God is empathetic. When we feel hurt, he feels hurt. Our God is humble. He shows concern for widows and orphans and others who are often neglected by society.

We also bring glory to Jehovah when we give him credit for our accomplishments. David did that. Remember what David said? “By God’s power I can scale a wall.”

But we can give glory to God without saying a word. Think of the heavens. What does the Bible say about the heavens? “There is no speech, and there are no words; their voice is not heard.” And yet, what does the psalm continue to say? “The heavens are declaring the glory of God.” We can’t help but be impressed by Jehovah’s creation.

Well, so much for glory.

“Give Jehovah the glory due [due] his name.” Now, we give someone his due when we give him what’s rightfully his. And Jehovah has an absolute right to receive glory from men. We’re reminded of what the 24 elders said as recorded at Revelation 4:11. They said: “You are worthy, Jehovah our God, to receive the glory.”

“Give Jehovah the glory due his name.”

What about God’s name? Well, we were thrilled when we first learned that God has a name. And that prompted some of us to study the Bible and come into the truth. Now, if learning that God has a name had that effect on you, don’t you think that it could also have that effect on people in your territory?

Have you asked people in your territory recently, “Would you like to see God’s name in the Bible?” or “Have you ever seen God’s name in the Bible?” That could lead to some very interesting discussions.

A missionary is serving in a country where most of the people believe in God. They’re either Catholic or Muslim, but they all believe in God. They don’t know much about Him, but I like the way he reasons with them. He says: “When you want to become friends with someone, the first thing you do is introduce yourself. You tell him your name, he tells you his, and you become friends. Well, we all want to be friends of God. So a good first step is to find out his name.” And then he reads God’s name in the Bible.

We give God glory when we defend his name and his reputation. But what does the name mean? Well, many scholars say it means “He Causes to Become.” And we know that Jehovah can cause us to become whatever he wants us to be.

So think about what we heard earlier in this program today. If he wants us to become a missionary, if he wants us to work in construction, if he wants us to be a special pioneer or to serve at Bethel, then Jehovah can give us the strength and he can give us the ability to do that. And all we have to do is put our trust in him.

Now, like the heavens, we can sometimes give God glory without saying a word. How? By our fine conduct. How many unbelievers have come into the truth, sometimes after being violently opposed for years, because of the conduct of their Christian mate and children? How many unbelievers have been impressed by the way we take care of one another and others when disaster strikes?

So we think about the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. When people ‘see our fine works, they give glory to our Father in heaven.’

Jehovah is also glorified when his servants respond to the leading of his spirit in their Christian life, when they become more humble, more loving, more trustworthy. Now, if you’re an appointed man, have the elders found you to be more reasonable, more tactful, more yielding over the years? When they see those changes in us, our brothers and sisters don’t fail to give credit to Jehovah God, and Jehovah God is praised.

So in 2025, let’s give serious thought to ways we can give God glory. And to remind us, those words, the words of Psalm 96:8, are going to be posted in our Kingdom Halls as our yeartext. So, what’s the yeartext again? Psalm 96:8: “Give Jehovah the glory due his name.”

[Applause]

Now, there’s a poem entitled “Give Jehovah Glory.” And I’m going to read it to you. We don’t usually do poetry in our publications because it’s too hard to translate, but this is a good one, and I’m going to read it to you. It’s entitled “Give Jehovah Glory.”

“Who is like you, O Jehovah, 

High on your heavenly throne?

 How could I ever repay you 

For all of the love you have shown? 

When I look up to the heavens, 

Power and glory I see. 

Who then am I, O Jehovah, 

That you would show favor to me?

My life is yours, O Jehovah. 

May all I do bring you praise. 

Gladly I’ll speak of your goodness 

And tell of your glorious ways. 

Serving you, Great God, Jehovah, 

Fills me with honor and pride. 

You are my strength and my glory.

Forever may you be my Guide.

Oceans and valleys below me,

Sun, moon, and stars up above

Fill me with joy and with wonder

And show me your unending love.

Majesty, wisdom, and beauty:

These are the things that I see.

How could I not give you glory

For making it all come to be?”

[Applause]

Those words were composed for a very happy occasion, a spiritual occasion. They’re part of a song, an original song that was composed specially for this annual meeting. And guess what?

Guess what? We are going to sing that song at the conclusion of this meeting.

I said to the Governing Body, “Are you sure?” And they said, “Oh, yes!” They have tremendous confidence in your musical ability.

Now, just so you know, the Governing Body has decided that from now on a new original song based on the yeartext is going to be featured at each annual meeting.

[Applause]

The brothers in music services are busy working on the one for 2026.

Now, during the past two months, the music team and Translation Services all around the world have been working feverishly to translate, record, and mix the song. And as a result of their efforts, when this talk is released on October 14, the song will be released simultaneously with the English in over 400 languages.

So let’s see how those words sound when they’re put to music.

Now, remember, we’re going to be singing this song at the conclusion of the meeting, and we don’t want anybody just moving the lips with no sound coming out. There is a reason why we call it a song.

So pay attention and enjoy “Give Jehovah Glory.”

You sure are an encouraging group with all of this applause! You know that’s why we’re going overtime.

Well, now, if you’re listening in in your room, when the time comes to sing, be sure to join in. Remember, the Lord is listening, so don’t think that just because you’re in private that you shouldn’t join in.

Now, we all want to join in, and this is a way we can give additional glory to Jehovah.

So in 2025, let’s pay special attention to ways we can give God glory. He certainly is worthy.