Psalms 29 Explained!!

[Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD]

Click Reference Link to Read Chapter: BibleRef.com

Chapter Commentary:

This psalm begins with an appeal from David: for the angels to speak of the Lord's glory and strength. He tells these spiritual beings to give God the glory He deserves and to worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness (Psalm 29:1–2).

David then draws attention to the Lord's power, speaking often of "the voice of the LORD." God's voice is not simply His speech or how He communicates. When God speaks, He wills something to be (Genesis 1:1–3; Psalm 33:6). When David speaks of the power of God's voice, he refers to the omnipotent power held by the Creator. This passage may have been inspired by powerful storms coming into Israel from the Mediterranean Sea. In that sense, God's voice shatters trees, moves mountains, shakes deserts, and strips forests bare (Psalm 29:3–9). Those in the temple—possibly meaning the angels in heaven (Psalm 11:4)—shout out God's glory.

In all these things, God is sovereign. Even over the greatest of all natural disasters—the flood of Noah (Genesis 7:4)—God was seated on His throne. The psalm closes as David asks for strength. In this context, that likely means courage and conviction (Hebrews 10:23), maintaining faith by relying on God's power instead of our own (Psalm 29:10–11).

Verse Context:

Psalm 29:1–2 call on angels to credit God for his glory and power. Three times David uses a word translated "ascribe" to direct the angels. In response to all that the Lord stands for, these spiritual beings should worship Him in the splendor of holiness. These two verses are an apt introduction. What follows is the psalmist's description of the Lord's power and sovereign control of nature.

Psalm 29:3–9 uses the phrase "the voice of the LORD" seven times. Each time, the designation precedes an example of God's power over nature. God's speech represents His will: that which He commands to happen will always happen. These examples offer a strong reason to associate God with glory and to give Him worship. Psalm 8 also expresses wonder at God's creative power.

Psalm 29:10–11 is the closing section of David's proclamation. He lifts up the Lord as King forever and prays the King will strengthen and bless His people with peace. This is a fitting conclusion to a psalm that extols the Lord's omnipotent power over nature. The eternal King, who is strong enough to control nature, is strong enough to empower and calm His people.

Chapter Summary:

David depicts the power of God's will—referred to as His "voice"—using imagery from thunderstorms and earthquakes. He calls on heaven to praise God. The Lord's voice has the power to shatter great trees, uproot mountains, shake deserts, strip forests, and strike terror into all living things. None of these events are mere change, but God is control of them all. David asks God to provide confidence and strength to Israel as they remember His omnipotent power.

Chapter Context:

This psalm of David magnifies the Lord's attribute of omnipotence. David draws pictures from nature to illustrate God's power. The psalm parallels Psalm 8 in its revelation of God through nature. Based on the imagery, David may have witnessed a potent thunderstorm moving from the Mediterranean Sea across the region. The theme of trust in God, thanks to His demonstrated power, is common in Scripture (Hebrews 11).

Book Summary:

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

To help you all and myself get a full understanding of the Book of Psalms, I am going back to the beginning of Psalms, and including an explanation of each Chapter I have read.

And just as some of the current explanation of the Psalms having the Scripture links, and some won’t, so will these reposted ones have the same. Again, this will help you all dig deep into your study of the Book of Psalm. I will redo Psalms 1 to Psalms 43. I will post Psalms 29 today, with Psalms 81.

I think it is a great idea to go back and study Psalms 1 to Psalms 43 with the explanation. Because the ones with the explanation will give you a detailed explanation of each Psalm.

I want to show that the people in the days of Psalms, also had questions for God and they expressed them – they poured out their hearts to God. God knows how we feel in our hearts when we are hard pressed down by the things of life – GOD LOVES US NO MATTER WHAT (Romans 8)!! And God wants us to come to HIM and CAST ALL those CARES, things upon Him, just like the people in the Psalms. GOD CARES FOR US (1 Peter 5:7)!!

As we see from the Psalms, NO MATTER WHAT David faced, he PRAISED, THANKED, AND WORSHIPPED GOD!! NOT that he was glad he was going through, but he TRUSTED that GOD WOULD rescue him, and bring him through WHATEVER he faced; David remembered that GOD had brought him through every time in the past!! Therefore, let us each day, as we read these Psalms, do as David did, PRAISE, THANK, AND WORSHIP GOD for HIS GOODNESS to us!!

There is ALWAYS something we can look back at, and see how GOD, our ABBA, has brought us out of!! And we can look at our present lives, and see GOD bringing us out of something every day!!

GOD IS A GOOD. GOOD, GOOD FATHER to us; HE takes GREAT care of us!!

Questions:

1. In today’s Psalm, do you see what David is praising God for, being thankful to God for, or worshiping God for?

2. Today, what are YOU praising God for, thankful to God for, or worshipping God for?

Just as before, I pray the explanation of each Chapter of the Book of Psalms, is a BLESSING to you all as you all dive deeper into the Word of God this year!!

And don’t forget to pray as you study this material, asking Holy Spirit to give you all the revelational knowledge YOU NEED, to transform your life from the inside out!! I pray this year will be your BEST year ever!! Stay walking hand in hand with our loving Heavenly Father, our ABBA, ALWAYS acknowledging Holy Spirit to lead and guide you in the way you should go daily, not going your own way, and be a disciple of Jesus, not a fan, then you won’t go wrong!!

Click Here for PDF Version of “Psalms 29 Explained!!”

 

Click Here for PDF Version of “Links to Psalms 1 to 28 Explained!!”

God's BLESSINGS to you all and your families!!

In Christ,

Rev. Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD