On Psalm 29

Summer Psalms - On Psalm 29

July 30, 2022

Pray for Illumination - Heavenly Father, help me to know your ways; teach me your paths and lead me into your truth. Amen.

Read Psalm 29

The voice of the Lord is powerful  Psalm 29:4

I love a good thunderstorm.  If I were to tell you one thing I miss about the east coast, the big thunderstorms would be near the top.  On one family camping trip, while the kids were still quite young, we went to Big Lake Camp, the Nazarene campground in Nova Scotia.  As we were settling in for the night in our large two-room tent, we saw a flash of lightning in the distance.  Then a few seconds later, a low rumbling thunder.  I was excited!  My family and I were going to experience a thunderstorm in a tent.  I tried to build the excitement up for Tanya and the kids by gathering everyone together into the big room, so we could lay together and enjoy the show!  Within minutes, there was no longer a quiet pause between lightning and thunder.  And lightning was flashing, what seemed continuously, on all sides of us.  The excitement of being “under the stars” in a thunderstorm was starting to give way to fear.  The power of the storm was so intense that I had an overwhelming sense of vulnerability.  I feared for the safety of my family.  

In this Psalm, David begins with a call to worship - worship of the “God of Glory”.  He then goes on to describe this God of Glory, that even just his voice thunders with power and majesty.  His voice breaks, shakes, strikes and twists even the strongest powers on earth.  Towering trees of strength, powerful flood waters, even mighty nations, are like nothing compared to the power of God’s voice - everyone should fear for their safety!

David reveals the vulnerability of all creation to the powerful voice of God.  He concludes this psalm by showing why God is truly worthy of our worship.  Yes, He is the powerful, eternal King of the universe

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
    the Lord is enthroned as King forever. Psalm 29:10

And even though that leaves all of creation vulnerable to his awesome power, like a young family laying in the middle of a wild thunderstorm, we remember that this all-powerful God does not prey on creation’s weakness and leave us in chaos, but rather his desire is to empower his people and to lead them to peace.  

The Lord gives strength to his people;
    the Lord blesses his people with peace.  Psalm 29:11

Allow yourself to “lay under the stars” in prayer today, taking in the awesome beauty of God.  And worship Him, your King and your Saviour.