Psalms: Chapter 29

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A Psalm of David. ¹

Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ^a Or in your faithfulness ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. ² Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy splendor. ³ The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters. ⁴ The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

⁵

The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon. ⁶ He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. ⁷ The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire. ⁸ The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

⁹

The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl, ^b Or refuge and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, “Glory!”

¹⁰

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever. ¹¹ May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!

Notes:

a Or in your faithfulness

b Or refuge

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Commentary

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Ps 29 : Hymn to the God of the storm.

Perhaps originally a Canaanite hymn of praise, appropriated by Israel as a prayer for rain for the fall feast of Tabernacles. The geographical placement in Lebanon and Sirion (v. 6 ) suggests a non‐Israelite origin of this psalm.

1 :

Heavenly beings, lit. “sons of God,” or “sons of gods,” subordinate deities in the heavenly assembly (Ex 15.11; Ps 82.1; 89.5–7 ).

2 :

In holy splendor could also be translated as “when the Holy One appears.”.

3–9 :

The voice of the Lord (thunder), occurring seven times in these verses.

3 :

The LORD battles the mighty waters, the primeval forces of chaos.

6–8 :

Earthquake is a traditional accompaniment of a theophany or divine manifestation (Ps 18.7; 114.7 ).

6 :

Sirion, Mount Hermon (see Deut 3.9 ), at the southern border of Lebanon..

8 :

The wilderness of Kadesh, in western Syria.

9 :

The wind and rain of the storm defoliate the forest. In his temple, praise from the subordinate deities in the heavenly temple.

10 :

The LORD'S enthronement as king over the flood (defeated forces of chaos); a double entendre is likely intended, with the LORD reigning since the flood, and forever.

11 :

Perhaps an Israelite blessing added to the Canaanite original. Only a deity with the great strength described above has the power also to bestow peace.