The Voice of The Lord in a Storm
September 17, 2019
Commentary
This Psalm is a majestic description of the omnipotence of God. David, perhaps seated in his palace, sees a tempest coming out of the Mediterranean sea and sweeping across Palestine. In it we can see how the God who is able to cause havoc in the thunderstorms is also able to bring peace in the midst of the storm (vv. 1-4). David describes how the fierce raging storm as it breaks over Lebanon and Hermon makes the mighty cedars bend like spaghetti (vv. 5-9) . The voice of the Lord strikes with lightning bolts. The cedars of Lebanon were giant trees that often grew to 120 feet tall and 30 feet in circumference. A voice that could break the cedars of Lebanon would be a very powerful voice (vv. 10-11).
Beneath the storm clouds the earth shakes as the lightning flashes and the winds blow but above these clouds everything is at peace. This pictures the storms of life of which no one is exempt. They sweep in with great fury and power as they sweep away family, fortune and friends. God uses the storms of life to test us. What He really wants is for us to dwell in Him above the storms. Things may look very black down here but nothing can disturb God’s throne above the clouds. God rules forever supreme over nature. He still cares for His own (v. 11).
The power that can raise a storm is available to benefit those who trust in Him. Just as God can cause a storm to be still, so can He bring calm to His people. Jesus’ miracles over nature, especially calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:37-39) demonstrate that all power was given to Him. We can either experience the force of God’s wrath or the peace of His salvation.
Application
When the storms of life come, and I can be sure that they will, where do I run to for shelter? Do I depend on the feeble efforts of man or the strong arms of God to help me?
Psalms 29:1– 11 (NET)
1 Acknowledge the Lord, you heavenly beings, acknowledge the Lord’s majesty and power.
2 Acknowledge the majesty of the Lord’s reputation. Worship the Lord in holy attire.
3 The Lord’s shout is heard over the water; the majestic God thunders, the Lord appears over the surging water.
4 The Lord’s shout is powerful, the Lord’s shout is majestic.
5 The Lord’s shout breaks the cedars, the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes them skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young ox.
7 The Lord’s shout strikes with flaming fire.
8 The Lord’s shout shakes the wilderness, the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The Lord’s shout bends the large trees and strips the leaves from the forests. Everyone in his temple says, “Majestic!”
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the engulfing waters, the Lord sits enthroned as the eternal king.
11 The Lord gives his people strength; the Lord grants his people security.