Psalm 29 (ESV)
A Psalm of David.
1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord, over many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth
and strips the forests bare,
and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
11 May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace!
It is surpassingly easy to grow distant from actively worshiping God. The rise of naturalism and the dismissal of the miraculous often leads people to perceive themselves as self-sufficient, diminishing our perceived need for God. Consequently, the practice of offering praise and adoration to the divine has dwindled.
The psalmist, in Psalm 29, urges humanity to return to the practice of praising God. This call to worship is prompted by a thunderstorm, an event through which the psalmist perceives the display of God’s omnipotent power in nature. It’s an invitation to pause and ponder the significance of this revelation.
The critical resolution to this predicament lies in recognizing the necessity of worshiping God. Through the psalmist’s perspective, the emphasis on praising God is reiterated through Hebrew parallelism, a literary technique that underscores concepts. The call extends even to the mighty, individuals often resistant to acknowledging a higher power. Every man, then, should unquestionably engage in worship.
The driving force behind this call to worship is the inherent worthiness of God. The psalmist emphasizes that God deserves the glory due to His name. As the omnipotent Creator, benevolent Sustainer, and gracious Redeemer, His actions merit the reverence and adoration of humanity.
The act of worship extends beyond mere formality; it’s an expression that demands holiness. Without genuine piety, worship lacks authenticity and acceptance. This concept is captured in the phrase “beauty of holiness,” which alludes to the necessity of moral cleanliness and a life dedicated to God’s service.
The thunderstorm’s depiction of God’s majesty further fortifies the psalmist’s call to worship. The power that controls the waters, thunder, and lightning is undoubtedly divine. The thunderstorm serves as a natural canvas upon which God’s strength and grandeur are vividly displayed. Natural disasters—hurricanes, floods, and storms—remind us of God’s dominion over nature.
The final call to recognize the Lord’s dominion encompasses all things. He reigns as the eternal King over creation, blessing His people with strength and peace. This divine sovereignty reaffirms the worthiness of our worship and adoration.
In conclusion, the message of Psalm 29 resonates through the ages. Despite the distractions and dismissals of modern life, the call to worship and praise God remains steadfast. The thunderstorm becomes a visible testament to God’s omnipotence, an artistic masterpiece displaying His might. As we heed the call to worship, we encounter the divine in acknowledging His glory and sovereignty. Indeed, the Lord God is deserving of our unwavering worship and praise.
~PW 🌮🛶
Phillip W. Martin 
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