It’s a “not my will but thine” morning! I’ll take Psalm 29:1-4.
As I sang David’s Psalm (Psalm 29:0), the Holy Ghost drew me into communion with Him, thinking about what I can give to honor His birthday: the glory due to His name, and worship adorned by holiness (Psalm 29:2). The name that identifies God Incarnate is JESUS, and this is the name “given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:10-12). It always comes back around to what He has given us!
I use verses 3-4 for the chorus:
Psalms 29:3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
Psalms 29:4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
Verse five begins, “The voice of the LORD,” and verse seven likewise begins, “The voice of the LORD.” Verses 7, 8, and 9 all begin with “The voice of the LORD.” The expression is repeated seven times, underscoring the fullness and perfection of His voice, naming eight characteristics or effects, suggesting its reach is infinite.
Along the still waters, I meditated on the perfection of His voice. It is upon many waters (29:3), it is powerful (29:4a), and it is full of majesty (29:4b). His voice divides the flames of fire (29:7), breaks the cedars of Lebanon (29:5-6), shakes the wilderness of Kadesh, makes the hinds to calve, and the forests naked (29:8).
The “many waters” speak of “peoples, multitudes, and nations, and tongues” (Revelation 17:1, 15; see Isaiah 17:12-13). The whore “sitteth” there (Revelation 17:1; Jeremiah 51:13). It also describes the sound of JESUS’ voice (Ezekiel 43:2; Revelation 1:15; 14:2; 19:6). His voice is greater (Psalm 93:4), and will cast the whore from off the many waters (Revelation 17). Yea, His voice is carried by rivers of living water flowing through us—His Holy Spirit, speaking His comfort to us and His reproof upon the world (John 7:38-39; 16:7-13).
Time forbids a discussion of other characteristics of the voice of the LORD: its power (Hebrews 1:3, 4:12) and its majesty (John 1:1 with Hebrews 1:3), and that is divides the flames (Psalm 104:4; Hebrews 1:7; see Acts 2:3 and consider the “cloven tongues like as of fire”). The cedar could not provide cover for the serpent in God’s garden (Ezekiel 31:8), and though he be strong as the cedars of Lebanon, yet will God’s voice hew him. At Kadesh, Moses struck the rock twice for water when he was instructed only to speak—that ROCK was Christ (Numbers 20:8, 1 Corinthians 10:4), and the “voice of the LORD shook the wilderness of Kadesh. Nor have we time to explore the Spirit’s witness in Scripture that Christ, our Creator, upholds all nature, and by Him all things consist and have their being (Colossians 1:16-17).
In the valley, the voice of the LORD called from upon the “waters,” “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
At the table, JESUS spoke to me concerning the “Word” Who was “with God,” and “was God,” and was “made flesh” (John 1:1, 14): The voice of the LORD sent to save sinners. Thank You, LORD! And I thought I heard His voice say, “Merry Christmas!” I looked at the concluding verse of Psalm 29: “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace” (Luke 1:79; 2:14).
Praying for revival! 🙏
Going live in about an hour!
Thank you, Pastor, for sharing the insights God has given you. I don’t get to listen as often as I’d like, but it’s always a helpful blessing.