Psalm 29
The voice of the LORD
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What does it say?
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David calls even the heavenly beings to give God glory. Then he describes a thunderstorm: the voice of the LORD thunders over the waters, breaks the cedars of Lebanon, flashes with fire, and shakes the wilderness, while everyone in his temple cries, "Glory!" The LORD sits enthroned over the flood as King forever, and he gives his people strength and peace.
Where it is in the Bible: Psalm 29
Before You Read
Who wrote it. David (29:1).
What it is. A psalm about a thunderstorm. David watches a storm roll in from the sea, crash over the mountains, and shake the desert. In every crack of thunder, he hears God's voice.
When the church sings it. On the Baptism of Our Lord, when the Father's voice spoke from heaven over the waters of the Jordan.
How to read it. Count how many times David says "the voice of the LORD."
Map of the Psalm
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Give God Glory | 29:1-2 | Even heavenly beings worship him |
| 2. The Voice of the LORD | 29:3-9 | A storm sweeps across the land |
| 3. Strength and Peace | 29:10-11 | God reigns over the flood and blesses his people |
Section by Section
Section 1 of 3Give God Glory
"Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength" (29:1).
Ascribe means to give credit where it's due.
"Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness" (29:2).
Section 2 of 3The Voice of the LORD
"The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders" (29:3).
"The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic" (29:4).
The storm moves inland. It snaps the giant cedars of Lebanon.
It makes the mountains jump like calves.
Lightning flashes. The storm shakes the desert and strips the forest bare.
"And in His temple all cry, "Glory!"" (29:9).
Section 3 of 3Strength and Peace
"The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever" (29:10).
The storm doesn't rule. God does.
"The LORD gives His people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peace" (29:11).
A psalm that starts with thunder ends with peace.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength" (29:1) | Give God the honor he deserves. |
| "The voice of the LORD is over the waters" (29:3) | God's word rules even the wildest sea. |
| "Breaks the cedars" (29:5) | Nothing is too strong for God. |
| "Enthroned over the flood" (29:10) | God is king over every chaos. |
| "Blesses His people with peace" (29:11) | God's power is used to protect his people. |
Back Then
The cedars of Lebanon were the biggest, strongest trees anyone knew.
Sirion is another name for Mount Hermon, a tall mountain in the north.
Neighboring peoples believed Baal was the storm god. David says the thunder belongs to the LORD.
Literal Reader Alert
Is thunder literally God's voice? David uses the storm as a picture. God's word is even more powerful than the loudest storm.
Why read this at Jesus's baptism? At the Jordan, God's voice spoke over the waters: "This is My beloved Son" (Matthew 3:17).
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| David | In awe | God's voice is powerful (29:4) |
| God's people | At peace | God blesses them with peace (29:11) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What storm are you in? Tap one.
Something big and scary
God sits enthroned over the flood.
I feel weak
The LORD gives his people strength.
I can't find peace
The storm ends with "peace."
I want to worship
Give God the glory due his name.
You Might Have Heard
"Storms show that nobody is in control."
What's true: Storms can be frightening and destructive.
What the passage is mainly about: "The LORD sits enthroned over the flood" (29:10). Even the storm answers to God, and he uses his power to give his people strength and peace.
Where Jesus is: He calmed the wind and waves with a word (Mark 4:39), and at his baptism, the Father's voice spoke over the waters.
Good News
The God of the thunder is the God of peace.
"The LORD gives His people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peace" (29:11).
His voice is mighty, and he speaks it for you.
God's voice thunders over the waters and shakes the earth. He reigns over every flood, and he gives his people strength and peace.
Big Idea
The voice of the LORD thunders over the waters and shakes the earth. He reigns over the flood, and he gives his people strength and peace.
If this passage brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther taught that God's word is never weak or empty. When God speaks, things happen, as when he spoke light into being.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It sings Psalm 29 on the Baptism of Our Lord in all three years, and on the Holy Trinity in Year B.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
The LORD gives His people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peace.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Psalm 29, explained in plain words. David hears God's voice in a thunderstorm, and the storm ends in peace. About 6 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/psalm-29/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church