Psalms — Chapter 29

Loading ESV text...

1Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

2Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.

4The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

5The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.

6He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.

7The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.

8The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.

9The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.

10The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.

11The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

1Ascribe unto Jehovah, O ye sons of the mighty, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength.

2Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name; Worship Jehovah in holy array.

3The voice of Jehovah is upon the waters: The God of glory thundereth, Even Jehovah upon many waters.

4The voice of Jehovah is powerful; The voice of Jehovah is full of majesty.

5The voice of Jehovah breaketh the cedars; Yea, Jehovah breaketh in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

6He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild-ox.

7The voice of Jehovah cleaveth the flames of fire.

8The voice of Jehovah shaketh the wilderness; Jehovah shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.

9The voice of Jehovah maketh the hinds to calve, And strippeth the forests bare: And in his temple everything saith, Glory.

10Jehovah sat [as King] at the Flood; Yea, Jehovah sitteth as King for ever.

11Jehovah will give strength unto his people; Jehovah will bless his people with peace. Psalm 30 A Psalm; a Song at the Dedication of the House. [A Psalm] of David.

1A psalm of David. Acknowledge the Lord, you heavenly beings, acknowledge the Lord’s majesty and power.

2Acknowledge the majesty of the Lord’s reputation. Worship the Lord in holy attire.

3The Lord’s shout is heard over the water; the majestic God thunders, the Lord appears over the surging water.

4The Lord’s shout is powerful; the Lord’s shout is majestic.

5The Lord’s shout breaks the cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.

6He makes them skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young ox.

7The Lord’s shout strikes with flaming fire.

8The Lord’s shout shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9The Lord’s shout bends the large trees and strips the leaves from the forests. Everyone in his temple says, “Majestic!”

10The Lord sits enthroned over the engulfing waters; the Lord sits enthroned as the eternal king.

11The Lord gives his people strength; the Lord grants his people security.

1Ascribe to Yahweh, you sons of the mighty, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength.

2Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Worship Yahweh in holy array.

3Yahweh’s voice is on the waters. The God of glory thunders, even Yahweh on many waters.

4Yahweh’s voice is powerful. Yahweh’s voice is full of majesty.

5Yahweh’s voice breaks the cedars. Yes, Yahweh breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

6He makes them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young, wild ox.

7Yahweh’s voice strikes with flashes of lightning.

8Yahweh’s voice shakes the wilderness. Yahweh shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9Yahweh’s voice makes the deer calve, and strips the forests bare. In his temple everything says, “Glory!”

10Yahweh sat enthroned at the Flood. Yes, Yahweh sits as King forever.

11Yahweh will give strength to his people. Yahweh will bless his people with peace.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A hymn of praise — 'the voice of the LORD' thunders seven times over the waters, breaking cedars, shaking the wilderness, stripping forests; the LORD sits enthroned over the flood and gives His people strength and peace.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Hymn of Praise / Theophany / Nature Psalm Attributed Author: David — "A Psalm of David" Key Themes: The voice of the LORD (sevenfold), God's glory in the storm, creation responding to God, God enthroned over chaos, peace for God's people
Historical Context: Called "The Psalm of the Thunderstorm" — David watches a violent storm move across Lebanon from the Mediterranean and sees God's voice in every element: thunder, lightning, earthquake, wind. "The voice of the LORD" appears seven times (vv.3-9), representing completeness. Some scholars see polemic against Canaanite Baal worship — Baal was the storm god, but David declares YAHWEH as the true God of the storm. The psalm begins with heavenly worship (v.1), moves through earthly manifestation (vv.3-9), and ends with God enthroned in sovereign peace (vv.10-11). Used in Jewish liturgy for Pentecost.
Structure:
  • Call to Heavenly Worship (vv.1-2)
  • The Sevenfold Voice of the LORD (vv.3-9)
  • God Enthroned — Peace for His People (vv.10-11)

Map & Geography

  • Lebanon (v.5, v.6): Region north of Israel known for its cedar forests.

Reflection

  • 1. God's voice is in the storm (vv.3-9). When life is stormy — thunder, chaos, destruction — listen for God's voice IN it. He is not absent from the storm; He speaks THROUGH it. The storm does not threaten Him — it serves Him.
  • 2. God sits above the flood (v.10). Whatever "flood" threatens you — financial, relational, health — God is seated above it as King. He is not pacing in anxiety. He is enthroned in sovereignty. Your flood is under His throne.
  • 3. The God of power gives peace (v.11). The same God whose voice breaks cedars gives PEACE to His people. His terrifying power serves your tranquility. The storm-God is your peace-giver.
  • 4. Seven voices = complete revelation. God reveals Himself fully through His world. Creation is not silent — it is a sevenfold sermon about God's power, majesty, and glory. Pay attention.
  • 5. Worship begins in heaven before it reaches earth (vv.1-2). The call goes first to "heavenly beings" — worship is already happening in heaven. When we worship, we JOIN something already in progress, not start something new.