Psa 29:1-2 | KingComments | STEP | To the prayer in Psalm 28 where judgment on the enemies is asked, in this psalm God’s answer is given. God will make His voice sound full of power and majesty at His time. That will mean judgment for the wicked and salvation and joy for the remnant. In this psalm we do not hear the cry of an afflicted in distress, but the power of God is displayed. This is done to encourage the faithful. He Who cares for them is more powerful than all the mighty rulers of earth who are still in control today and who often make life so difficult for the faithful. The description of God’s power is connected to His voice which is compared to a violent thunderstorm. This makes it clear that God is greater than Baal, the Canaanite idol of storm and thunder. His voice is the answer to the voice of David ( ). One of the characteristic features of a person is his voice. David recognizes in the thunder the voice of God (cf. ). For “a Psalm of David” ( ) see at Psalm 3:1. In this psalm, David calls on “the sons of the mighty”, the mighty rulers, the great ones of the earth, to “ascribe to the LORD glory and strength” ( ). With this he is calling for their acknowledgment of it. They are to ascribe to Him “the glory due to His Name” ( ). Several times in the mighty rulers are told that He is “the LORD”, the Name that emphasizes His covenant with His people. In the entire psalm, that Name occurs eighteen times. There is clear emphasis on it (cf. ). The command is appropriate: “Worship the LORD in holy array.” This will happen without any resistance. Where He dwells, everything is glorious and holy. With Him there is no contradiction between glory and holiness. One of His glories is His holiness. Both features of Him compel the rulers of the earth to worship Him. The three times repeated “ascribe”, seems to imply a certain unwillingness. But they cannot escape it. One day every knee will bow to Him and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father ( ).

‏ Psalms 29:1-2

Introduction

To the prayer in Psalm 28 where judgment on the enemies is asked, in this psalm God’s answer is given. God will make His voice sound full of power and majesty at His time. That will mean judgment for the wicked and salvation and joy for the remnant.

In this psalm we do not hear the cry of an afflicted in distress, but the power of God is displayed. This is done to encourage the faithful. He Who cares for them is more powerful than all the mighty rulers of earth who are still in control today and who often make life so difficult for the faithful.

The description of God’s power is connected to His voice which is compared to a violent thunderstorm. This makes it clear that God is greater than Baal, the Canaanite idol of storm and thunder. His voice is the answer to the voice of David (Psa 28:2). One of the characteristic features of a person is his voice. David recognizes in the thunder the voice of God (cf. Job 37:2-5).

Ascribe to the LORD Glory

For “a Psalm of David” (Psa 29:1a) see at Psalm 3:1.

In this psalm, David calls on “the sons of the mighty”, the mighty rulers, the great ones of the earth, to “ascribe to the LORD glory and strength” (Psa 29:1b). With this he is calling for their acknowledgment of it. They are to ascribe to Him “the glory due to His Name” (Psa 29:2). Several times in Psa 29:1b-2 the mighty rulers are told that He is “the LORD”, the Name that emphasizes His covenant with His people. In the entire psalm, that Name occurs eighteen times. There is clear emphasis on it (cf. Isa 42:8).

The command is appropriate: “Worship the LORD in holy array.” This will happen without any resistance. Where He dwells, everything is glorious and holy. With Him there is no contradiction between glory and holiness. One of His glories is His holiness. Both features of Him compel the rulers of the earth to worship Him.

The three times repeated “ascribe”, seems to imply a certain unwillingness. But they cannot escape it. One day every knee will bow to Him and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:10-11).