I. Introduction
This blessed psalm is a Psalm of David. More than likely it was occasioned by a dramatic storm he witnessed, a storm with much wind, and awe-inspiring thunder and lightning. We are going to prayerfully study the verses from a predominantly spiritual perspective, with very little consideration given to their nature elements. We will follow this format:
Verse of Scripture utilizing the YLT text followed by an NASB mouse over of that verse. Key words in the YLT text will be footnoted with a link to a word study based on the Hebrew text, and/or a general discussion relative to the given word (we are not biblical Greek or Hebrew scholars, please consider our grammatical constructions with a critical eye).
Commentary We shall be commenting on this passage keeping before us at all times the crucial fact that every jot and every tittle comprising these verses came forth under the inspiration of the blessed Holy Spirit. We pray that He, by His grace, helps us along the way.
II. Psalms Twenty-nine Commentary Verses
29:1-2- Bow Yourselves to Jehovah, in the Beauty of Holiness
YLT TEXT: A Psalm of David. Ascribe[1] to Jehovah[2], ye sons of the mighty[3], Ascribe to Jehovah honour[4] and strength[5]. Ascribe to Jehovah the honour of His name[6], Bow[7] yourselves to Jehovah, In the beauty[8] of holiness. (Psa 29:1-2, Psa 29:1-2, NLT).
COMMENTARY: There is an undercurrent of stealing flowing through these verses. Do you sense it too dearest reader? Maybe telling in that regard is the particular object of this two-verse corrective, the so-called “sons of the mighty” (we find these aplenty in every generation). Thrice is utilized the verb “ascribe” in escalating, Hebrew (God-speak) fashion[9], and then duly qualified by way of the verb “bow” is that attribution which the former sought to reach at their pinnacle, that is, the pinnacle of ascribing to Jehovah supreme honor, the honor of His Name: “…ascribe to Jehovah the honor of His name…”, which honor we reckon had been stolen (hijacked) by certain deluded “sons of the mighty,” and summarily redirected to themselves as though worthy of said honor (we find this sort of stealing aplenty in every generation): ‘…Bow not before yourselves inwardly, or to one another, but bow yourselves to Jehovah…’. David (the Holy Spirit) goes further, and thoroughly explicates this good bowing before Jehovah—it is not primarily physical (as in a certain posture or lip service or whatnot), but consists of a spirit that has bowed itself, like so: in a manner consistent with the holiness of God per His stipulation of holiness, wherein (the holiness of God, that is), lies the honor of His Name: “…Bow yourselves to Jehovah, in the beauty of holiness…”. In our day that beauty is nothing short of a tight tether to the passport righteousness of Jesus Christ (Psa 149:4, “Be Holy”, “Righteous Faith”).
29:3-9-The Thoughts of Jehovah are on Peoples
YLT TEXT: The voice[10] of Jehovah is on the waters[11], The God of glory[12] hath thundered, Jehovah is on many waters. The voice of Jehovah is with power, The voice of Jehovah is with majesty, The voice of Jehovah is shivering cedars[13], Yea, Jehovah shivers the cedars of Lebanon[14]. And He causeth them to skip as a calf, Lebanon and Sirion[15] as a son of Reems[16], The voice of Jehovah is hewing fiery flames[17], The voice of Jehovah paineth[18] a wilderness, Jehovah paineth the wilderness of Kadesh[19]. The voice of Jehovah paineth the oaks[20], And maketh bare the forests, And in His temple every one saith, ‘Glory[21].’ (Psa 29:3-9, Psa 29:3-9, NLT)
COMMENTARY: As proposed in notes ten and eleven, the thoughts of God are on peoples (God is redundant here, and emphatic): “…The voice of Jehovah is on the waters, the God of glory hath thundered, Jehovah is on many waters…”. And it must needs be that these thoughts betray the self-understood capacity, and character, of the God to whom they belong (that is, His innate “I AM-ness,” if we may considerately and respectfully put it that way)—thus we are told that these thoughts are powerful, and majestic, respectively: “…The voice of Jehovah is with power, the voice of Jehovah is with majesty… (cf. Isa 40:26)”. And thoughts, even these thoughts of God, unequivocally betray purpose of one sort or another. In this context is betrayed the purpose of God with respect to certain peoples, fundamentally two kinds of people—the Godless proud, and the God-honoring meek. Consider the former; again our God is redundant: “…The voice of Jehovah is shivering cedars, Yea, Jehovah shivers the cedars of Lebanon…”. That thought presupposes unsurpassed power. God is against His enemies, the Godless proud (notice for example Godless, proud, Babylon in its day, Jer 50:31-32). In our context God reveals that His purpose is to expose and fell these wicked: “…He causeth them to skip as a calf [my, what a right fear can bring about suddenly], Lebanon and Sirion as a son of Reems…”, and again: “…The voice of Jehovah paineth the oaks, And maketh bare the forests…”. But no less in Jehovah’s thoughts, His people, the God-honoring meek, are specifically addressed at the end of the verse set as well. How so? These are they who honor Him by worshiping Him, for sure, but more so—it is they who honor Him by worshiping Him in the beauty of holiness—this is the finished work of Jesus Christ to which David (the Holy Spirit) alludes (in that thought of God is contained power and majesty). Please notice: “…And in His temple every one saith ‘Glory’…”. Glory? Amen, Glory (Psa 27:4), for in His Temple His Name is honored in the beauty of holiness. Thus do saints glorify Jehovah God, saints redeemed and sanctified by Jesus Christ. You see, expressed “Glory” is more than just a matter of the tongue (the Holy Spirit here anticipated the finished work of God the Son, our blessed Jesus, whose ministry reached back to cover David and beyond, and reached forward to cover you and me and beyond dear reader [“A Letter of Invitation”]). So we learn that God’s thoughts are very much on peoples, two kinds of people: (1) The Godless proud, His enemies; here His thoughts are as when considering an enemy (to fell and uproot [this is Salvation lost]), and (2) His people, who worship Him in the beauty of holiness (sanctified person, sanctified spirit, sanctified tongue, all alike shout “Gory!”); here His thoughts are as considering beloved kin (to plant and build up [this is Salvation gained]). And the Word of God, made lucid by the tangible Voice of God, even Jesus Christ (for in Him reside all the thoughts of God, Col 1:19), shall arbitrate perfectly between these two kinds of people in the end (He does already in fact).
29:10-11-Jehovah Sits as King
YLT TEXT: Jehovah on the deluge[22] hath sat[23], And Jehovah sitteth[24] king — to the age, Jehovah strength to his people giveth, Jehovah blesseth His people with peace[25]! (Psa 29:10-11, Psa 29:10-11, NLT).
COMMENTARY: Our God Jehovah is Sovereign, and He is Able, able to carry out His Sovereign will. This formidable One certainly has the capacity and betimes the will to destroy life (witness the Flood, Sodom, Gomorrah, Hell), and He certainly has the capacity and more often than not the will to impart life (witness Creation, the Cross, Salvation [life eternal in His presence])—His Capacity, and the reality of both options, are on display in this verse set. But dearest reader, please notice something very carefully—when He chooses to impart life, it is specifically imparted to His people: “…Jehovah strength to his people giveth, Jehovah blesseth His people with peace …” Thus it was with Adam and Eve, and in Noah’s day, and so it is in our day (“A Letter of Invitation”), and so it shall be in “the days of Noah” revisited by a Godless world (“Matthew Chapter Twenty-four Commentary”). He Jehovah sits as King, always, forever (Fig. 1).
Praised and feared be your Royal Name great Jehovah God, King. Amen. Glory!