On Psalm 29

(Ps 29:1) Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
(Ps 29:2) Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

The words translated "mighty" in the first verse are בני אלים, where בני means "sons" and אלים is the plural of אל, which can mean "god" (as in Ex 34:14), or "God" (as in Is 9:5), or "mighty one" (as in Eze 32:21). The phrase בני אלים appears again in Ps 89:6 (89:7), where the KJV translates it "sons of the mighty". The related phrase בני אל חי "sons of the living God" appears in Hos 1:10. It involves the singular form אל instead of the plural אלים. The context is "it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God" (Hos 1:10). Based on Hos 1:10 it can be concluded that "mighty" in Ps 29:1 addresses saved people and perhaps also heavenly beings. Then, the plural form אלים in Ps 29:1 could be interpreted as denoting the Trinity, indicating that saved people are sons of the Trinity. This should not be surprising in light of the creation account, which mentions the Trinity in passages such as "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness" (Ge 1:29).

(Ps 29:3) The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.

Figuratively speaking, waters can represent peoples, as in Rev 17:15. This interpretation would fit also other passages, such as Ps 65:7, Ps 93:3, Is 8:8, and Jer 51:13. Moreover, the waters in Ps 29:3 may refer also to the waters between us and the heaven that is above this creation: "And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day" (Ge 1:6-8). This firmament (expanse of the heaven) is where God placed the stars (Ge 1:14). Thus, between us and the heaven that is above this creation are the firmament and the waters above the firmament. Since the creation has these waters at its border, we could say that "the sea" before the throne of God in Rev 4:6 and Rev 15:2 represents this creation.

(Ps 29:4) The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
(Ps 29:5) The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.

(Ps 33:8) Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
(Ps 33:9) For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

(Ps 29:6)MKJV He also makes them to skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The word for "Sirion" is only found in the verse above and in De 3:9. It is a mountain, as mentioned in De 3:8-9: " ... mount Hermon; (Which Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion; and the Amorites call it Shenir;)". In Ps 29:6 we read of Sirion skipping "like a young wild ox". The Scripture mentions some extreme earthquakes in the period preceding the return of the Lord. Mountains will be affected. Two instances in which mountains will be affected are mentioned in Rev 6:14 and Rev 16:20. "And voices and thunders and lightnings occurred. And there was a great earthquake, such as has not been since men were on the earth, so mighty and so great an earthquake. ... And every island fled away, and mountains were not found" (Rev 16:18, 20)MKJV.

(Ps 29:7) The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.

The Lord controls everything by his word. The verse above may remind us of the promise that "when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Is 43:2). It may also remind us of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Dan 3:20-27). Another verse speaking about the Lord controlling fire is Ps 97:3: "A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about". Ps 97:3 could be applied to the return of the Lord (2Th 1:8).

(Ps 29:8) The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
(Ps 29:9) 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.

(Ps 29:10)NKJV The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood,
And the LORD sits as King forever.

The word translated "Flood" is only found in Ps 29:10 and in Genesis, in the context of the worldwide flood during the time of Noah.

(Ps 29:11) The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

God's people are encouraged when they are reminded of God's power. Given that God is so powerful, it is so reasonable for them to expect strength from above and his peace.


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