The heart of Psalm 29, after summoning the heavenly court and all beings to give honor to YHWH and to bow before YHWH, marches through reasons why YHWH ought to be praised: because of YHWH’s voice, which the NetBible translates as “YHWH’s shout.”

The essence here is this: in a world of idols and idolatries, the psalmist asserts the Sovereignty and Majesty and Utter Priority of YHWH over all. He has tamed and controlled and created all living things, including the primal powers of the water. The psalm is glorious.
I have boldfaced the attributes of YHWH’s voice:

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.

And the response to the Voice of YHWH is “Awesome” or “Majestic!”


Everyone in his temple says, “Majestic!”

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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