| Introduction Three psalms in the Psalter reflect the psalmist's experience with nature. Psalm 8 is the thoughts of David as he contemplated the stars in a cloudless, moonlit night. When you read that psalm, you can almost see David with his hands behind his head, lying on a grassy hill, or on the rooftop, gazing at the sky. Psalm 19 is David's contemplation of a bright and sunny day when all of creation is visible and majestic. Psalm 29 reflects David's thoughts about the power of God as he witnessed a powerful thunderstorm that moved in from the Mediterranean and reached all the corners of his kingdom. This psalm can be easily divided into three parts: the power of God in the storm (3-10), the power of God in humbling the mighty (1-2), and the power of God in blessing the humble (11). I. The Power of God in the Storm, 3-10 A. There is something in what insurance companies call "acts of God" that instill fear, awe, a sense of smallness in people. 1. Cascadia subduction zone 2. All the press Cascadia rise has gotten. B. These mighty events seem to put things in perspective very quickly as far as the greatness of men is concerned. C. David uses the natural effect of these events to convey to God's people a notion of God's power that is easily understood when illustrated by the power of a great thunderstorm. 1. The storm moves in from the ocean, 3-4. a. David represents the power of the voice of God with the loudness of thunder. b. The comparison is with really loud thunder coming from a distance and getting louder as the storm moves closer. "Thunder should be called the voice of the Lord, not only because it comes from above, is not under the direction and foresight of any man, speaks aloud, and reaches far, but because God often spoke in thunder, particularly at Mt. Sinai, and by thunder discomfited the enemies of Israel." Matthew Henry c. So, when David uses this analogy, the people he is ministering to would readily understand the type of power he is conveying to them. d. This is the same powerful voice that saves sinners, 4. Jn. 5:24– Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 2. Storm moves over land and gets louder, 5-9. a. The noblest and mightiest of all trees break down as toothpicks, 5 – Mt. St. Helens' eruption. b. Mountains skip like little animals. 1) Lebanon and Sirion are references to Mt. Lebanon and Mt. Hermon both standing at over 10,000 ft. 2) God speaks in the thunder and these mighty mountains shake. 3) Have you ever been in a really loud thunderstorm where the house shakes at every thunder? This is what is going on here. 4) These mountains were the domain of Baal and they shake at the sound of God's voice. c. Lightening started fires in the forests, 7. d. Even in the desolate places the voice of God is heard, 8-9. e. Animals are driven to give birth with ease as it were (different vocalization means twist the oaks), 9a. f. Either by the force of the wind or by the weight of the rain, the forest is laid bare with all its secret exposed, 9b. – the voice of God in the Word of God does the same to us. Heb. 4:12-13– For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. g. Behind every thunder peal, the voices of the inhabitants of heaven are heard shouting, "Glory." Lk. 2:14– Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men! D. In the midst of all this display of power God is in control like he was in control during the flood and like he will ever be, 10. II. The Power of God in Humbling the Mighty, 1-2. A. Based on this great display of God's power, David calls the mighty to humility, 1. 1. Mighty onesis literally the sons of gods. a. It could refer to angelic beings. b. But, in the context it seems to refer to those who may struggle with pride, which at this point is not the inhabitants of heaven. 2. So, it is a reference to the sons of the mighty ones, that is, the kings and rulers who have inherited their positions from their fathers. 3. These were the ones more likely to think highly of their power. 4. Thus, David calls them to humility – if you think you are powerful, look at this demonstration of true power! B. Humbling oneself in terms of giving, 1b-2. 1. Give to God glory and strength due to his name. a. How can you give glory and strength to God? Doesn't he possess it all already? b. J.A. Alexander explains that "to give in such connections, is to recognize something as belonging to another, to ascribe it to him." c. Thus, to give glory and strength to God is to recognize that all glory and strength belong to him. d. Notice the emphasis on God's name. 1) Glory and strength is due to his name. 2) His name is used 18 times in this psalm, more than any other psalm. 3) Another reminder that glory and strength belong to him, not only because of the display of his power, but also because of whom he is. 4) Thus, the importance of knowing God. e. The call to humility before God is constant in the Scriptures and is always accompanied by promises of blessings – see v.11. Jam. 4:6-10– But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. 1 Pt. 5:5-7– Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. a. Knowing the power of God should drive us to worship him – it did to John Rev. 19:10– And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." b. Knowing the power of God should drive us to worship in the way he wants to be worshiped – in the beauty of holiness. 1) This expression is used elsewhere as a reference to the priestly attire that the priest had to wear in order to come before the Lord. 2) Thus, this is an exhortation to worship God humbly as displayed by our doing what he wants us to do in worship. 3) The word beautyalso means majesty, both words are a good description of holiness and of worship. "In the worship of God we must have an eye to his beauty, and adore him, not only as infinitely awful and therefore to be feared above all, but as infinitely lovely and therefore to be loved and delighted in above all; especially we must have an eye to the beauty of his holiness; this the angels fasten upon in their praises." Matthew Henry 4) We could also say that this expression means that we are to worship God according to the fact that we have been beautifully separated to belong to him. III. The Power of God in Blessing the Humble, 11. A. God calls the proud to humility and he blesses those who are his people, who have humbled themselves in the sight of God. B. So, we see that God's favor is specially with his people, his church – he will strengthen them. C. Even in the midst of the turmoil of this great storm God gives peace to his people.
Every time we hear a thunder, we should be reminded of God's power over all things. But more than that, every time we hear thunder we should be reminded of the peace that God gives to those who humble themselves in his sight.
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