Our Common Prayerbook 29 - 1

Psalm 29 summons “heavenly beings” (sons of gods) to acknowledge YHWH, and you can read the Psalm after the jump where we include the NetBible’s version. Some have even suggested Psalm 29 adapts poetry from the Canaanites.

The essential command of vv. 1-2 is to “honor” or to “acknowledge” (Hebrew yahab), and there is a similar expression at Psalm 96:7-8. Why this command?

Perhaps because humans want to honor themselves; perhaps because other beings want their own honor; or perhaps some humans want to acknowledge honor and strength to false idols or to non-gods. For each of these, vv. 1-2 urge all honor to be given to YHWH.

The text seems to be focusing on sub-deities, the heavenly court, which needs to give honor to YHWH.

We are all tempted to give honor to something or someone that or who is not God, and Psalm 29:1-2 urges us to see that those things or persons are summoned to give honor to God. Thus, only God deserves the honor. That means all things are to be pointed toward God for honoring.

29:1 Acknowledge the Lord, you heavenly beings,

acknowledge the Lord‘s majesty and power!

29:2 Acknowledge the majesty of the Lord‘s reputation!

Worship the Lord in holy attire!

29:3 The Lord‘s shout is heard over the water;

the majestic God thunders,

the Lord appears over the surging water.

29:4 The Lord‘s shout is powerful,

the Lord‘s shout is majestic.

29:5 The Lord‘s shout breaks the cedars,

the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.

29:6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf

and Sirion like a young ox.

29:7 The Lord‘s shout strikes with flaming fire.

29:8 The Lord‘s shout shakes the wilderness,

the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

29:9 The Lord‘s shout bends the large trees

and strips the leaves from the forests.

Everyone in his temple says, “Majestic!”

29:10 The Lord sits enthroned over the engulfing waters,

the Lord sits enthroned as the eternal king.

29:11 The Lord gives his people strength;

the Lord grants his people security.

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