Tag: Psalms 25-30
King of the Flood!
Scripture reading for June 9th: Psalms 25-30
Psalm 29 contains an unusual phrase about the Lord. He is pictured as ‘enthroned over the flood’. The word used here for “flood” is “mabbul” which is used exclusively of the world-wide flood described in Genesis 6-9. Why was the King David the psalmist caught up in this idea of the flood?
This psalm began with David exhorting the ‘mighty ones’ to ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. In the previous psalm David had cried to the Lord to save him from wicked men and God had answered him. We are not sure if these mighty ones are his “mighty men” or the mighty angels that attend to the Lord and cry “Holy,Holy,Holy” before his throne. We do know that all creatures owe worship to the Lord of glory! His holiness makes him awesome to behold and to think upon.
We don’t know if David was near some body of water, but possibly a thunderstorm broke loose as he was writing this psalm. David spoke of the voice of the Lord in the thunders. It was majestic and broke in on his consciousness. Perhaps a bolt of lightning struck one of the cedars of Lebanon and splintered it, reducing it to a smoldering pile of sticks right before his sight. These cedars often grew over 100 feet tall and over thirty feet around. The power released to break the tree would make a real impression and cause anyone to worship or fear! David saw the violent thunderstorm as a manifestation of God’s mighty power and experienced God’s power to shake the earth. David realized that he was small and God was almighty and that all in God’s temple are crying “Glory”!
It is at this point that David spoke of the Lord as enthroned over the flood. This violent storm brought the great flood of Genesis to his remembrance. He realized that God was judge and in control over wind and storm! This same King promised to never destroy the world with water again. (Genesis 9:15-16) What a God and King!
“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood, The Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to His people, the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:10-11
The Voice of the Lord!
Scripture reading for June 9th: Psalms 25-30
“The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.” (Psalm 29:3)
God’s voice is powerful and creative. The Psalmist reflects on God speaking during the week of creation. The waters covered the face of the deep and the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. (Genesis 1:2-3) From this setting, God speaks, “Let there be light!” The Psalmist imagines that the voice of the Lord sounded like thunder following a flash of glorious light emanating from God’s presence. This concept came from meditation on the need to ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name! (Psalm 29:1-2)
“The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. (Psalm 29:4-5) God’s powerful and majestic voice brought everything that is visible out of the invisible! No Word of God is without power. His Word goes forth from His mouth and accomplishes His purposes. He can break the tall and lofty cedars of Lebanon, reducing them to sticks by the words of His mouth. His voice inspires worship as we contemplate His power and majesty! We are humbled like those cedars at the sound of His voice.
“The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning. The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.” (Psalm 29:7-8) The thunderstorm is often used in Scripture to depict God on the move. The crash of the thunder following lightning strikes brings fear and awe to man. Suddenly, lightning can strike. When the flash and crash are simultaneous, we know that it struck close! Power was suddenly released that shakes us to our core. These sudden storms would echo through the Desert of Kadesh bringing needed refreshment and nourishing the fragile life there! God’s appearance brings refreshment to his dry people as well!
“And in His temple all cry, “Glory!” The Lord sits enthroned over the flood, the Lord is enthroned forever. The Lord gives strength to His people and blesses His people with peace.” (Psalm 29:8b-11) God’s people respond to God’s voice with their voices raised, “Glory!” All worship the King who is enthroned forever! The worshipers are blessed with peace and strength!
King of the Flood!
Scripture reading for June 9th: Psalms 25-30
From our reading today, I have chosen Psalm 29 to comment on. This psalm contains an unusual phrase about the Lord. He is pictured as ‘enthroned over the flood’. The word used here for “flood” is “mabbul” which is used exclusively of the world-wide flood described in Genesis 6-9. I was curious about this thought. Why is the psalmist caught up in this idea of the flood? What is David thinking about in this psalm that he would see God as enthroned as King forever in connection with this flood?
This psalm begins with David exhorting the ‘mighty ones’ to ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. In the previous psalm David had cried to the Lord to save him from wicked men and God had answered him. We are not sure if these mighty ones are his “mighty men” or the mighty angels that attend to the Lord and cry “Holy,Holy,Holy” before his throne. We do know that all creatures owe worship to the Lord of glory! His holiness makes him awesome to behold and to think upon. There is none like Him!
We don’t know if David was near some body of water, but possibly a thunderstorm broke loose as he was writing this psalm. David spoke of the voice of the Lord in the thunders. It was majestic and broke in on his consciousness. Perhaps a bolt of lightning struck one of the cedars of Lebanon and splintered it, reducing it to a smoldering pile of sticks right before his sight. These cedars often grew over 100 feet tall and over thirty feet around. The power released to break the tree would make a real impression and cause anyone to worship or fear! David sees the violent thunderstorm with thousands of lightning strikes as a manifestation of God’s mighty power and experiences God’s power to shake the earth. David realizes that he is small and God is mighty and that all in God’s temple are crying “Glory”!
It is at this point that David speaks of the Lord as enthroned over the flood. This violent storm has brought the great flood of Genesis to his remembrance. He realizes that God is judge and in control over wind and storm! Our lives are truly in His hands and He is a King to be honored and worshiped. This same King promised to never destroy the world with water again. (Genesis 9:15-16) What a God and King!
“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood, The Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to His people, the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:10-11