Psalm 29:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

NIV: The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

NASB: The voice of the Lord is powerful, The voice of the Lord is majestic.

CSB: the voice of the Lord in power, the voice of the Lord in splendor.

NLT: The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.

KJV: The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

NKJV: The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

David describes the voice of the Lord as powerful and full of majesty. This expression points out that God is king with the power to command all His subjects—every person and all nature.

How powerful is God's voice? At creation, the Lord said, "'Let there be light,' and there was light" (Genesis 1:3). He spoke, and waters separated from waters (Genesis 1:6). He spoke dry land into existence (Genesis 1:9). His spoken word created vegetation, seed-bearing plants, and fruit trees (Genesis 1:11). By His word He created the sun, moon, and stars (Genesis 1:14). Marine life, birds, and animals of all sorts owe their existence to God's spoken word (Genesis 1:20–25). Finally, God spoke man into existence as He formed Him from dust (Genesis 1:26–27).

During His earthly ministry Jesus healed many by just saying a word (John 5:8–9). He even commanded the dead to rise, and they arose (John 11:43–44). Someday, the dead will hear His voice, "and those who hear will live" (John 5:25).

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.

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.

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).

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.

Accessed 5/4/2024 12:22:24 AM