Psalm 29 - Power In The Voice!!!

Most of us take speaking for granted, it is only those who were mute then learned to speak/communicate, or those that lose the ability to speak - that truly appreciate our ability to communicate verbally. We know that some people are louder than others, and we tend to listen to those who hold a high position in society more than those we might consider as lesser. Some might say that they are speaking from a place of power and authority.

And if a leader of a nation is listened to, and focussed upon - how more shall we pay attention to the eternal voice of Yahweh?

Psalm 29, A Psalm of David says…

Verse 1-2: “Honour the Lord, you heavenly beings; honour the Lord for his glory and strength. Honour the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness.”

• All honour should go to Yahweh…ALL OF IT!!! - there is no other that deserves our worship. No person, no thing, no other god deserves our worship and adoration. Only the Godhead in its fulness (Father, Sone Spirit) warrants worship - all else is folly.

• It is interesting that David even acknowledges that it is the responsibility of the angels (heavenly beings) to honour and worship Yahweh. If the angels have to worship HIM and they exist in HIS presence, how much more should we worship and honour HIM.

Verse 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 Genesis 1 we see the phrase “The God said…” with each act of creation. God spoke life, time, space and everything in it, into existence. HE SPOKE IT!!!

• When we look at rulers of countries, or even the very rich - and they give instructions to those that they employ or lead - those instructions are complied with. God was and is the same. God speaks and the whole universe listens.

• John 1:1-5 informs us that… “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

• Words are spoken. Jesus Christ is the eternal WORD of God (Yahweh). it was through HIM that all things were created. Which is why at the sound of HIS voice, create reacts. And as the time for HIS return draws ever nearer, then it begins to react to HIS voice which nears.

Verse 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’m not sure why David finishes off this psalm the way he does - but it is quite the literary juxtaposition. On one hand he talks about the floodwaters (which are a symbol for destruction and chaos) and he book ends that with peace - both of which are controlled and ruled over by Yahweh.

• I guess that’s the crux of David’s position in this psalm - that Yahweh is in charge, that HE is Lord of all, and HIS ‘word’ creates and influences all of creation.

• In that way David is bringing the ‘honour’ to Yahweh that he calls on the angelic beings to do in the very first verses of this psalm.

So, where does this place us…???

John 10:27 lets us know that “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me…” - along with giving all honour to HIM, we should be close enough to hear his voice. Because it is with HIS voice that HE speaks love, forgiveness and life into our lives and circumstances.

I pray that you draw close to Yahweh, close enough that HIS voice resonates with you, and that HIS voice begins to impact on your circumstances and your life. May the peace of Yahweh be upon you and your families.