The Voice of the LORD – Psalm 29

 

Structure of Psalm 29:

(1) vs.1-2: a call to worship the LORD

(2) verses 3-9, a discourse on the Voice of the LORD, as well as God’s sovereignty in nature (specifically a mighty thunderstorm)

(3) verses 10-11, a picture of the LORD as King, with particular reference to His relationship with His people.

Give unto the LORD…Worship the LORD (vs.1-2)

Who is to give? O you mighty ones (vs.1). O families of the peoples; all the earth (Ps.96:7-9).

To whom are they to give? The LORD. Yahweh or Jehovah. I am that I am.

What are they to give? Glory and strength.

The Great Thunderstorm…The Voice of the LORD (vs.3-9)

Two descriptions/responses: (1) idolatrous/atheistic, (2) biblical/faithful

Shekinah Glory: a visible manifestation of God’s glory (Elwell, p.1010)

[Ex. 19:16-20, 33:18-23, Deut. 4:32-40, 5:22-33]

The voice of the LORD

The impetus of all creation. (Genesis 1:1-3)

The heart of the covenant; blessings and curses. (Gen. 22, Deut. 28, Psalm 95/Heb. 3-4)

Hebrews 12:18-29: perspective/greater reality.

“Hear, O Israel…”

The Shema (Deut. 6:4-5)

Christ’s refrain: He who has an ear… (Matt. 11:15, 13:9/43, John 5:24, Rev. 2-3)

The sheep hear His voice (John 10)

Jesus Christ: the voice of the LORD, the glory of the LORD (vs.10-11)

The King of glory (Psalm 24)

The Word became flesh (John 1:14)

The glory of the LORD (Isaiah 40:5)

The temple of the LORD (Ephesians 3:20-21)

 

A listening people

Listening to God…

Listening: beyond reading and understanding…

Listening to one another…

May God be merciful to us and bless us. May He open our ears to hear His glorious voice.

 

A proclaiming people

Faith comes by hearing… (Romans 10:13-17)

Preach the Word! (2 Timothy 3:16-4:5)

May God be merciful to us and bless us. May He open our lips that our mouths may show forth His praise.

 

A people who delight in His voice

The voice of my beloved! (Song of Solomon 2:8-14)

The voice of the bridegroom. (John 3:29)

Sing! Shout! He will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:14-17)

May God be merciful to us and bless us. May He create in us new hearts and fill them with gladness that we would rejoice in the voice of our Beloved.

 

A people who give glory unto the LORD

Awake, my glory! (Psalm 57:7-11)

May God be merciful to us and bless us. May He reveal Himself to us and remove the veil from our eyes that we may behold His glory and worship Him in the beauty of holiness.

David R. Erb – July 2, 2006