Christianity

Psalms 29The Voice of the Lord

Summary

Psalm 29 is a hymn in which heavenly beings are summoned to give glory to the LORD. Seven times it repeats the voice of the LORD as a thunderstorm sweeps over the waters, breaks the cedars of Lebanon, shakes the wilderness and strips the forests. The LORD sits enthroned over the flood as king forever, and the psalm ends with a blessing of peace. Traditionally ascribed to David, it is sung in Jewish Sabbath services.

Key verse

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

Psalms 29:2

Themes

Thunder and Storm
God's Voice
Kingship
Peace

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

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

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

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

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

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

The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.

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

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

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

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

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

Islam
Surah Ar-Ra'd (13): The Thunder Hymneth His Praise
Quran 13:13 says the thunder praises God and the angels stand in awe of him. Like Psalm 29, it hears the storm as part of creation's worship.
Judaism
Tehillim 29 in the JPS 1917 Tanakh
Jews sing this psalm in Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday evening and while returning the Torah scroll to the ark on Sabbath mornings. One opinion in the Talmud (Berakhot 28b) links the eighteen blessings of the Amidah to the eighteen times the divine name appears in this psalm.

Questions about Psalms 29

Why does Psalm 29 repeat the voice of the LORD seven times?

The repetition imitates rolling thunder and builds a sense of overwhelming power. Seven is a number of completeness in the Bible.

Is Psalm 29 related to Canaanite poetry?

Many scholars note similarities to Ugaritic hymns about the storm god Baal and think the psalm may adapt that style to praise Israel's God alone. Others regard the similarities as shared poetic language.