Psalm 29 –The glory of God declares through storms

In Psalm 19 we are told that the heavens are telling of the glory of God, and indeed they will always do so. Day and night, unremittingly, they continually declare the wonders of the marvelous God we worship. And Psalm 29, another Psalm by David, evidently affirms that and much more. He tells us that nature itself indeed declare the glory of this wondrous God. In this Psalm, David paints for us a massive storm moving fiercely down the mountains of Lebanon, and hurrying down south to the southernmost part of Palestine. Once there, it appears as if it had expended its energy and brought a complete calm and serenity. The reason David penned this Psalm was to talk about the glory of God seen in the acts of nature. It has a message for us through the storms that may attend our life.

David began this Psalm with an invocation, a call to all to worship. Everyone, especially all the children of God, is called to worship the Almighty. We are to credit to Him all the glory and strength He deserves. Apart from God there is none worthy of such immense worship. Seven times the phrase, “the voice of God” appears. Upon the many waters this voice is heard. It is a powerful and majestic voice. So powerful that it even breaks the Cedars of Lebanon, a symbol of strength and stability. It is so powerful that mountains are shaken and forests are left bare of foliage.

Just imagine the clear blue skies of Northern Palestine overtaken by storm. Its terrifying sight can only be described as peals of lightning brightening it, claps of loud thunders sounded loudly, and gushes of howling wind increasing in volume. Like a furious storm at its height, it manifests itself in the breaking of the Cedar of Lebanon, creating a raucous that even Mount Hermon shakes and quakes. David wants us to see the intensity of the glory of God, a glory that’s not shrouded in mystery. It is in fact so evidently powerful and majestic, and getting clearer and clearer.

  

Once the storm had moved southward, its power shook the forest of Kadesh in the southern part of Palestine. The intensity of the storm shook the trees and left the forest bare. It also left the mountains trembling and shaking. So impactful was the voice of God through the storm that even the mountains were said to skip and leap like young deer and bulls. What David meant to say is that God’s glory and power are truly visible through the storm. His voice could be heard and the impact on nature demonstrates that power and glory. And after the stormy voice comes the lull, the calm and peace. Through the storm the Lord is enthroned and He sits as King forever. And He still blesses His people with strength and peace.  

None of us is exempted from the storm of life. But if we remain trusting, we can clearly hear the voice of God speaking through that storm. He has destined a place of security for us even in the storms of our life. We should insist on praising Him despite the non-congenial circumstances we encounter. He promises that after the storm we will experience a hush lull in our soul. The call is for us to remain still and recognize that He indeed is God. Through the storm God still speaks. And in the storm He will grant us the peace only He can give. Shalom!