In the western world, most of our nations are ruled by an elected government. And if there is a royal family acting as a monarchy, they are largely a figurehead rather than having any sort of power over the nation. So, given that framework, it is no wonder that most modern people struggle with the concepts of being under the authority of a king or queen is actually quite foreign to us. And in some ways we find the concept quite appalling and disgusting - mainly because we have this over arching individualistic worldview.
At times, quite often really…we take this same worldview and apply it to the Bible and the biblical characters. We look at kings and queens with all their failings and go “Well that’s just on par for royalty isn’t it…nothing has changed”. And to a point that is true.
However, our worldview of royalty clouds our understanding of God (YAHWEH) as the ‘King of Kings’ and ‘Lord of Lords’ (Revelation 19:16). Whenever we see the use of the capitalised LORD within biblical scriptures, like we see in Psalm 29, it is referring to YHWH the Hebrew letters used for ‘I Am’. The rendering of it to LORD almost diminishes the authority and power that God’s name (not designation) has.
In Psalm 29, David is not just highlighting the authority of YAHWEH, but pushing it to the forefront of his thoughts and words.
Psalm 29…A Psalm of David…says…
Verses 1-2: “Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings; honor the Lord for his glory and strength. Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness.”
David starts powerfully in this psalm…he appeals even to the angels to “Honour Yahweh…honour HIS glory and strength…honour HIS name”.
If David is appealing to the angels to honour yahweh…how much more should we honour YAHWEH?
We should worship YAHWEH…not because we must, or that we should…but because HE deserves it and because we love HIM for it.
Verses 3-9: “The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders over the mighty sea. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. The voice of the Lord splits the mighty cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf; he makes Mount Hermon leap like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord strikes with bolts of lightning. The voice of the Lord makes the barren wilderness quake; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare.
In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”
In these verses David provides physical examples of Yahweh’s spiritual strength. God (Yahweh) the creator of the universe…God the eternal divine…God who created the physical out of nothing…HE interacts with our world - and HIS strength and authority translates into it.
This is a point that we in the modern world forget. Because of our scientific, rationalist worldview - we forget that YAHWEH can and does influence the natural world, and will so in the future as the time of HIS son’s return draws ever closer.
Because of the evidence of YAHWEH’s power, strength and divine authority - we should worship HIM and shout “Glory!!!'“ along with the angels in heaven.
Verses 10-11: “The Lord rules over the floodwaters. The Lord reigns as king forever. The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.”
I love how David often uses the juxtaposition of two differing and opposite notions. In these final two verses, David balances the chaos of creation and life (the floodwaters) with the peace of the divine presence.
He also shows us that God (YAHWEH) is Lord and master of all. YAHWEH is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16) - and in that strength of character and purpose, YAHWEH blesses those that believe and trust in HIM…Peace.
Philippians 4:7 informs us that if we place our trust in God then… “…the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
If we truly want peace in this life, with all its turmoil, pain and suffering - then we need to place our eyes and mind on Christ - not the things of this world that will rot, rust and pass away (Matthew 6:19-21).
I pray that we (both you and I) begin to honour YAHWEH like HE deserves…with all the glory and honour we can muster. I pray that YAHWEH, through the HOLY SPIRIT brings about a renewal of your mind and your focus in life. May you begin to seek and keep your eyes on the things of heaven than the things of this world - Colossians 3:1-2 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”