Psalm 29:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.

NIV: He makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.

NASB: He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, And Sirion like a young wild ox.

CSB: He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion, like a young wild ox.

NLT: He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf; he makes Mount Hermon leap like a young wild ox.

KJV: He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.

NKJV: He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.

Vivid imagery continues after David likens God's voice to a potent storm (Psalm 29:3–5). Here, the Lord's power is depicted as moving the earth. Sirion was the name the Sidonians applied to Mount Hermon (Deuteronomy 3:9). The Lebanon mountain range, considered by the Canaanites to be the dwelling place of their gods, stood high but could not withstand earthquakes sent by God. At God's voice, these massive mountains jump like running animals. They rupture and rise as if they were calves or young ox jumping into the air.

Earthquakes will strike the earth in the tribulation period. Revelation 11:13 mentions a cataclysmic earthquake leveling a tenth of Jerusalem and killing 7,000 people. An earthquake will also split the Mount of Olives in two when Jesus returns to earth (Zechariah 14:4). One half of the mountain will shift to the north; the other half will move southward.

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 5/8/2024 6:50:56 AM