Psalm 29

People have a tendency to view storms rather negatively. They often inconvenience us and can cause tremendous damage. We should respect storms and take the necessary precautions to protect ourselves as well as those we love. But the psalms always view storms positively as they are testimonies to the power of God. The psalmists always give praise and glory to God for demonstrating his power through nature, especially storms.

Psalm 29 takes us on a journey through a storm. David describes a violent storm with its wind, rain, thunder, and lightning (vv. 5-10). Psalm 29 honors God for his power as demonstrated in a storm and exalts him as King over his creation (vv. 1-2, 10). The storm is not seen as an inconvenience to life but rather as a witness to the power of the author of life. God’s covenant name, Yahweh, is repeated 18 times throughout Ps 29. The point is that even in the midst of the storm it is God who receives the author’s attention, not the storm. God is Lord over the storm.

Psalm 29 begins and ends with a declaration of praise to God for his strength (vv. 1, 11). This is a literary device used often in psalms to remind the reader of the main point of the psalm. The main point is made at both the beginning and the end of the psalm: God’s strength is revealed in the storm (vv. 1, 11). Both the beginning and end of the storm are seen as times to reflect on the power of God.

Perhaps the storm is meant to remind us that God is in control, not us. As God’s people we exalt him as our King and praise him for his power and provision (vv. 10-11). But we often become arrogant by thinking that we have sufficient power to provide for ourselves. Perhaps the storm is meant to remind us that God alone is our Provider. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace (v. 11). To further the point that storms were viewed positively in biblical times, Ps 29 was often read at the end of the dry season as the rainy season began. Storms were a welcomed relief and foreshadowed God’s care for another season. How do you view the storm? Is it an inconvenience or are you reminded of the power of God?