David
Psalm 29
A Psalm of David.
Scripture (KJV)
1Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
2Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
4The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
5The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
6He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
7The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
8The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
9The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
10The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.
11The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
Summary
Psalm 29 is a majestic hymn that calls the heavenly beings to ascribe glory and strength to the LORD and then meditates on the power of His voice. Seven times the psalm repeats "the voice of the LORD"—over the waters, breaking cedars, flashing like fire, shaking the wilderness, stripping the forests. The voice of the LORD is powerful and full of majesty, and the LORD Himself sits enthroned over the flood as King forever. The psalm closes with a tender promise: the LORD will give strength to His people and bless them with peace.
The major themes are the glory and power of God, His voice, His kingship, and the peace He gives His people. Practically, the psalm teaches that the same voice that thashes cedars and shakes wildernesses also blesses His people with peace. The great lesson is that the majesty of God is not a threat to His people but the source of their strength and peace.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 29
O LORD, I ascribe to You glory and strength. I worship You in the beauty of holiness. Your voice is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders. Your voice is powerful and full of majesty, breaking cedars, dividing flames of fire, shaking the wilderness, and stripping the forests. You sit enthroned over the flood as King forever. Let every voice in Your temple speak of Your glory. Give strength to Your people, LORD, and bless us with Your peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How does the repeated "voice of the LORD" shape my awe of God?
- 2Where do I see the power of God’s voice in creation or in my life?
- 3How does the thundering King of this psalm also become the source of peace?
- 4What would it mean to "worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness"?
Related Psalms
Psalm 28
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