Bible Commentaries
Psalms 29

Verse 1

CONTENTS

The very particular manner in which the voice of Jehovah is here celebrated, should lead us to a serious Inquiry of the importance of the expression. All sovereignty and authority of earthly rank is demanded to give praise unto it, as well as all nature.

A Psalm of David.

Verses 1-2

This repeated call to ascribe glory to God, in three several demands, very fitly corresponds with the many repeated examples we have in the word of God, as if to imply a plurality of persons in the Godhead. Whoever will attend to this particularity, will find very often occasion to remark how much more generally it is to be found in the scriptures throughout, than, without this attention, might be supposed.

Verses 3-9

These are all so many various descriptions of the astonishing power of God. By the voice of God in the kingdom of nature, no doubt, is meant the operations of God in nature. The thunder and the lightning, the waves of the sea, and the winds and tempests, - these indicate his astonishing power, and demonstrate his sovereignty. God may be said to speak by such operation's. See Psalms 107:25 , etc. But I rather conceive that the expressions here are to be taken in a figurative way, and to be considered as God's speaking in the works of his providence and his grace. For here, in a more eminent and illustrious manner, may the Lord be said to speak, when the voice of Jesus is heard, according to his own declaration, in the graves of sin and death. John 5:25 . And, agreeably to this figure of speech, the voice of the Lord is upon the waters of the sanctuary, causing them to give life, and to call into spiritual life sinners which were before dead in trespasses and in sins. It was by this voice of Jehovah, light sprung forth at the original creation of nature. It is the same almighty, quickening, life-giving power, when God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, shineth in the heart, whereby he giveth the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ; 2 Corinthians 4:6 . It is by the same power, that the cedars are broken, the stout heart of sinners is broken, and made willing in the day of his power. And as even flames of fire, at the voice of God are divided, so the heart of a sinner is divided and separated, in that day when Jesus speaks to the conscience, from all its idols; for the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two - edged sword. Hebrews 4:12 . And as the wilderness is made to shake at tempests, so the wilderness state of a sinner's mind is shaken, and soon made to blossom as a rose. Isaiah 35:1 .

Verse 10

What a beautiful thought to quiet every troubled mind, arises out of this view of the Lord. Let what will arise, or what storm soever, Jesus governs all. It is he which sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers. Reader, think of this, in application to all spiritual exercises. Isaiah 40:22 , etc.

Verse 11

How delightfully the Psalm closes! The Lord will give peace. Yes, Jesus is the peace, and the salvation of his people; and therefore he is the peace of God, to all his church, which passeth all understanding. Philippians 4:7 .

REFLECTIONS

HEARKEN, my soul, to the voice of God! Hear it on the waters of the sanctuary, in the thunders of his law, in the soft whispers of his gospel. Surely there is enough in it when Jesus speaks to awaken sinners, though dead in trespasses and sins. And hast thou, my soul, so heard that solemn, awful, gracious, pleasing voice, as to give God the glory due unto his name, and to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness? Blessed voice of Jehovah! thou dost indeed divide the flames of fire, for thou hast been in my soul as a Spirit of judgment, and a Spirit of burning. Oh! how powerfully have I at times felt thy word! how it hath enlightened my mind, softened my heart, and subdued my will. Yes, truly, Lord, thou hast said, and I have found it true, Thou art the Lord, who teachest me to profit.

And now, blessed Jesus, let me hear more and more thy voice, in all the gracious manifestations of thy love. Thou hast given, and thou wilt give strength, unto thy people. And as thou art thyself our peace, and hast made our peace in thy blood of the cross, so, Lord, be thou my all in all, that though in the world I shall have tribulation, in thee I shall have peace. Truly, Lord, thou shalt be our peace, when the Assyrian shall pass through the land.