Psalm 29

As these words are written we are in Jerusalem where we have been for several weeks.  We arrived the end of January and about a week after we arrived we experienced one of the most amazing things: loud, booming thunder in the midst of a Jerusalem snow storm. 

We are not unfamiliar with majestic lightning and thunder storms from our days in Walsh in SE Colorado where we loved to sit on the front porch and marvel at the displays in the distance, from NE to SE, 180 degrees around.  The flash of lightning would be followed several seconds later by the faint sound of distant thunder.  One night we stood with friends at Holland Lake along the Swan highway of Montana and watched a thunder cloud work its way down a canyon from Upper Holland Lake, setting trees on fire with lightning and then dousing them with the accompanying downpour, and then moving across our lake until it got close, at which point we all ran for the car.  But we had stayed as long as we felt safe just amazed by the display of power and majesty of it all.

To be in the middle of the storm of course increases the sense of power and awe.  The flash of light followed within a second or two by the loud banging and crashing.  Several times in our Montana homes in Lewistown and Kalispell we experienced middle-of-the-night storms like this.  One night lightning split a tree just across the street from our house; the ear-splitting thunder was almost immediate and struck fear. 

That is the kind of thing we recently experienced in Jerusalem: the flash in the window followed almost immediately by the loud thunder.  The storms of this nature seemed to be moving quickly so that the lapse between lightning and thunder grew shorter until it seemed to be right over us, and then longer as it moved on.

The Psalmist seems to be in this very situation of watching a powerful storm pass, perhaps from North (where it splintered the cedars of Lebanon) to Southeast (where it shook the wilderness of Kadesh).  Apparently he even sees a frightened deer in its reaction to all the power of the display.  Verses 3-9 describe the amazing scene, something that could be imagined if David were situated on some of the surrounding hills of Jerusalem.  (Todays Mt. Scopus among others would provide such a vantage point.)

All of this, so far, is not unusual in the sense that perhaps we have all had similar experiences of the display of power and majesty in creation around us.  But let us be clear and careful in understanding the effect of this on the Psalmist.

First, this is a call to worship the Creator.  David begins with a wonderful call to praise (v1-2).  What is seen in the thunderstorm is directly related to God who is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.  We must bow before Him and worship in holiness for He is holy!  David sees the “God of glory” (v3), the omnipotent God (v4).  ALL in His temple of creation, cry “GLORY!”

As we have already seen in Psalms 8 and 19, what we see around us must tell us something about the Creator.  Thus we conclude that our view of “origins” is not a passing interest.  It is fundamental.  For example, those who struggle with a God who would hold men accountable who have not heard the truth of the Bible struggle because they fail to hear the truth of Creation.  There is a clear and in this case powerful and loud voice that is speaking!  It speaks of the reality of a God of power and majesty who must be worshiped!  We are foolish, as in stupid, to suppress this truth (Rom. 1:18-23).  And yet this is the approach of many.

Second, this brings comfort and encouragement to those who worship the Creator.  David concludes with this thought (v10-11).  The storm says God is King forever; thus it assures him that God will never lack the power to strengthen and bless His people.  The thunderstorm leaves a residue of blessing in its wake.  Around Jerusalem now, the greening of the desert is just amazing.  The wildflowers are in bloom.  We traveled down to Jericho and then north to Mount Herman this last week and were so blessed by what we saw.  The hills around Jerusalem were just covered with shepherds and their flocks enjoying the green pastures.  To bow before the awesome and powerful God, in reverential fear, brings comfort to those who worship Him.  At the same time it brings fear to those who refuse to acknowledge Him.

The call goes out to all to cry “glory!”  It is especially extended to the “mighty ones” (v1), those who are considered to be people of accomplishment.  Do not be full of yourself.  Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.