The Psalm celebrates the splendour of God’s holiness and declares the grandeur of His voice. God is not just an impersonal power, but a person with great attributes like love, righteousness, justice, mercy, and compassion. The beauty of holiness is expressed in four different bible passages: I Chronicles 16:29; II Chronicles 20:21; Psalms 29:2; 96:9. One who perceives and understands the Holiness of God, will bow down to worship Him and sing His praise. This psalm celebrates the power and grandeur of the voice of the Lord. Seven is the number of perfections, and so Psalm 29 portrays the sevenfold glory of the voice of the Lord.
1. Upon waters: Deep waters in a storm, or tsunami no human can control. God has authority over water from the beginning of time and the universe. (Genesis 1:2-3)
2. Powerful: God’s words brought the universe into existence from out of nothing.
3. Full of Majesty: No voice is comparable to that of the voice of God, anywhere in the universe.
4. Breaks the cedars: The cedars of Lebanon were renowned for their strength, stability, and durability. Many kings constructed palaces and other wonders of architecture. But God’s voice would make these cedars snap and fall like rubbles.
5. Flashes forth the flames of fire: God’s power is associated with fire. God led the children of Israel with a pillar of fire. Judged Nadab and Abihu, answered by fire from heaven when Elijah prayed.
6. Shakes the wilderness: God’s kingdom is unshakeable, everything else shakes. (Hebrews 12:26-29)
7. Makes deer give birth: God’s voice is enough to cause animals to be induced into delivery labor pains.
God speaks today: The voice of the Lord calls us to live by the Spirit and yield the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-26) The voice of the Lord calls the people of God to do justice. (Amos 5:24; Micah 6:8; Matthew 23:23) The voice of the Lord calls His people to care for the poor. (Proverbs 19:17; Mark 10:21)
Do I diligently listen to His voice and obey?