The presence of divine greatness and holiness in the world is deeply intertwined with the active pursuit of justice and righteousness. When moral order is restored, the Creator's presence becomes visible to all, bringing Him ultimate elevation.
The primary approach among commentators is that God is elevated through the justice He executes in the world. When God punishes the wicked, the arrogant, and the violent, His name is lifted up, and everyone recognizes that He is supreme and judges the world according to His will. Holding the wicked accountable, especially those who hold positions of power and honor, proves that God is above human weakness and shows no favoritism [שד״ל]. Offering a different perspective, [מלבי״ם] suggests that God's elevation actually depends on human actions. God's role as the leader of creation's hosts is reflected in how humanity behaves. When people build a functioning society and treat each other fairly, the order of the world is preserved, and God's glory naturally grows. Conversely, when justice is abandoned, society breaks down into a pack of predatory animals, diminishing God's honor in the world.
Alongside justice, righteousness plays a crucial role in revealing God's holiness. Some commentators explain that righteousness simply means honesty, fairness, and strength, acting as a parallel to justice itself [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Others view righteousness as the necessary complement to justice. While justice focuses on punishing the wicked, righteousness focuses on saving the oppressed who suffer under them [שד״ל]. It also represents the kindness God extends to the remaining good and worthy people of a generation, through whom He is ultimately sanctified [רש״י, מצודת דוד].
The way God is sanctified also carries a dual meaning. On one hand, His holiness is made clear to everyone simply through the act of using His divine power to deliver pure, unbiased justice [שד״ל]. On the other hand, this holiness is once again tied to human behavior [מלבי״ם]. Holiness is not a trait that changes within God Himself, but rather a reflection of humanity's relationship with Him. When people rise above their basic material nature, practice righteousness in their duties toward God, and strive to imitate their Creator, God is recognized as holy because He serves as the very source and root of human holiness.