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Spiritually Speaking => Pastor Al Moak's Study => Manna For The Soul => Songs of Worship & Psalm 119~Psalms Studies => Topic started by: Al Moak on April 22, 2003, 07:01:25 PM

Title: Psalm 29
Post by: Al Moak on April 22, 2003, 07:01:25 PM
Psalm 29

This is a triumphant song of purest praise, probably sung when the armies of Israel were victorious over their enemies.  Those enemies, not being God's special covenant people, believed in many different gods - gods of floodwaters, gods of earthquakes and fierce winds, gods of wild animals, etc.  In this song, though, all the things supposedly done by these other gods are ascribed to the one true God - Jehovah - Who is over ALL things.

The imagery is powerful, particularly for those who have observed such natural disasters as raging floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.  Those who sing ("mighty ones" = warriors of the army) are exhorted to praise Jehovah – the One Who is truly over ALL things in nature.  They should praise Him "in the beauty of holiness." Because they should know Jehovah as the only true God, they therefore ought not to be like the world that believes in many gods – they are "holy." "Holiness" just means separateness, uniqueness, and it's the privilege of Israel - uniquely - to praise the true God.

So - Who then controls the mighty forces of the floodwaters or the roaring torrents that seem uncontrollable?  God's people know the answer. They sing, "The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the Lord is over MANY waters.  The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of MAJESTY!"

Then the next few verses, full of powerful imagery about earthquakes, splintering of great trees, dividing of otherwise indivisible flames of fire, stripping bare of forests, and forcing the sudden birth of deer calves - are calculated to move the worshippers to a sense of awe and reverence before the power of the God of nature! 

Having that awe in their hearts, the people would then  be ready to sing about this one true Lord of all things.  They would sing, "The Lord sat enthroned at the flood (the great flood of Noah's day), and the Lord sits as King forever!  The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace!"  The great GOD Whose awesomely powerful works they've just considered, the GOD Who has been Lord from the beginning and will be Lord to the end - is the God Who is so great that He can also give them perfect peace in the midst of all their enemies!

How about you?  Are you adequately awed at the immense and glorious works of God that are around you every day - the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, etc., etc.?  These are the works of the Agent of creation - your SAVIOR!  Jesus Christ is Lord of all!  His works therefore are meant to move you to praise and thanksgiving, because, though they reveal such a majestic Lord, yet they also reveal a Lord Who cares for YOU!

Title: Re:Psalm 29
Post by: Marilyn on April 23, 2003, 03:21:19 PM
I am awed beyond words at the beauty of God's creations, His voice shakes the desert, His voice shook me here in the desert. His Glory is all around us, the vastness of it all is so awesome, Only God could create this magnificent universe. The last verse. The Lord give strength to his people; the Lord blesses His people with peace. Only God is Able. Praises to His name.