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Psalm 29

The Voice of God in a Great Storm

A Psalm of David.

1

Ascribe to the L ord, O heavenly beings,

ascribe to the L ord glory and strength.

2

Ascribe to the L ord the glory of his name;

worship the L ord in holy splendor.

 

3

The voice of the L ord is over the waters;

the God of glory thunders,

the L ord, over mighty waters.

4

The voice of the L ord is powerful;

the voice of the L ord is full of majesty.

 

5

The voice of the L ord breaks the cedars;

the L ord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.

6

He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,

and Sirion like a young wild ox.

 

7

The voice of the L ord flashes forth flames of fire.

8

The voice of the L ord shakes the wilderness;

the L ord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

 

9

The voice of the L ord causes the oaks to whirl,

and strips the forest bare;

and in his temple all say, “Glory!”

 

10

The L ord sits enthroned over the flood;

the L ord sits enthroned as king forever.

11

May the L ord give strength to his people!

May the L ord bless his people with peace!


10. Jehovah sitteth upon the flood. Some think that David here alludes to that memorable instance of God’s vengeance, when he drowned the world at once by the flood, 618618     “Par le deluge.” — Fr. This is the view taken of the passage by the ancient versions. “God,” says the Chaldee, “in the generation of the deluge sat in judgment.” The Septuagint reads, “God shall make the deluge to be inhabited,” or “make the world habitable after it;" the Syriac, “God called back the deluge;” and the Arabic, “God restrained the deluge.” Ainsworth reads, “Jehovah sat at the flood,” and explains it as meaning “Noah’s flood.” and thus testified to all ages that he is the judge of mankind. I agree to this in part, but extend his meaning still farther. In my opinion, he prosecutes the former subject, putting us in mind that those floods, which still threaten destruction to the earth, are controlled by the providence of God in such a way, as to make it evident that it is he alone who governs all things at all times. 619619     “Que c’est luy seul qui gouverne toutes choses en tout temps.” — Fr. David, therefore, mentions this among other proofs of God’s power, that even when the elements appear to be mingled and confounded together by the utmost fury of the weather, God controls and moderates these commotions from his throne in heaven. He accordingly adds, for the sake of explanation, God sits King for ever.


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