Psalm 29: The Eternal Echo
In the beginning the spirit of God is hovering over the waters (Genesis 1vv1-2). Out of that primordial darkness, the voice of the Lord breaks forth, “Let there be light” and a mighty symphony of creation begins to resound. On the seventh day, like a God taking residence in his temple, the Lord rests, makes his dwelling within the sanctuary of the world, not confined but graciously drawing near in every corner.
This same voice that spoke creation into its form, as the psalmist notes, is still present and is still powerful, still reigning over the waters of chaos, still breaking the cedars of Lebanon and Syria— the trees that the woodworkers of Canaan craft their “god” Baal out of. The same voice that was so powerful that it formed a world with the shape of its words sits enthroned still.
This tells us two things. 1) God is still so big and reigns in so much majesty that he doesn’t even have to get up from his throne to keep order in the universe. His very word manifests his will, he speaks and it happens. This is a vast departure from other theological myths of the Ancient Near East, who envisioned their gods as warriors subduing rival forces through bloody combat. The God of Israel wars with his words, and his word is enough. 2). God is still creating. The voice of God which brings light out of nothingness, is endowed with such generative power that it is always dynamic, always creating new possibility. Words create worlds, and God’s ongoing word to his creation, even in the face of forces that would seek to unravel the shalom that God intends for the world, still carves out a path of hope when all seems lost.
Psalm 29 brings us back to this creative sovereignty of God. Likely this psalm was a prayer offered in the temple-worship of Israel with a corporate refrain in v. 9. Like a Southern Baptist preacher leading his congregation in the rote, “and all God’s people said…Amen;” the psalmist as he walks through the mighty acts of God cannot help but turn to the congregation and invite participation. He beckons the gathered faithful to respond and they sing their “amen” as they shout with one voice “glory!”
The final stanza summarizes this poetic prayer. It serves as a powerful reminder that no matter where we find ourselves, God is still king, still present, still creating. The Lord is enthroned over the chaos, he is king now and forever. He is still speaking relationally to his creation, and the word that he speaks is strength and peace. And all God’s people say, “glory.”