Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While the verse calls on "heavenly beings" to give glory and strength, its real punch comes from the repetition: "give unto the LORD... give unto the LORD." This isn't just a suggestion; it's an urgent summons, implying that these mighty beings must acknowledge God's supreme power, especially as it's about to be dramatically revealed.
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm begins by calling upon heavenly beings, or potentially powerful earthly rulers, to acknowledge and proclaim God's supreme glory and might. The text sets the stage for a grand declaration of God's power, which will unfold in the following verses through vivid imagery of His dominion over creation, particularly the awesome force of a storm. This initial summons prepares the listener to recognize the divine source behind the natural phenomena about to be described.
Who are the 'heavenly beings' being addressed in this opening command?
The verse opens with a powerful call: "Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings..."
Who are these 'heavenly beings'?
This isn't just a human endeavor; the very fabric of the spiritual realm is called to join in acknowledging God's greatness.
What does it truly mean to 'ascribe glory and strength' to God?
The psalm isn't just asking for a passive recognition; it's a command for active declaration.
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Declaring God's Worth:
This opening verse calls us, like the heavenly beings, to focus our attention and our words on God's supreme worth and His unparalleled power. It's an invitation to participate in His ongoing declaration of Himself.
Understand the original words
hab · Hebrew Verb
The act of attributing, acknowledging, or giving credit to someone for their character or deeds; in a worship context, it is the public confession of God's worth.
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the God of Israel, the covenant-keeping God who revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush. It signifies His eternal self-existence and faithfulness.
beney 'elim · Hebrew Noun phrase
Literally 'sons of the mighty' or 'sons of gods'; refers to supernatural beings or celestial entities that exist in the heavenly realm and serve as witnesses to God's authority.
kabod · Hebrew Noun
The weight, radiance, or visible manifestation of God's character and presence. It refers to the intrinsic value and majesty that characterizes God.
'oz · Hebrew Noun
The capacity to act, rule, and overcome; in relation to God, it refers to His omnipotence and His sovereign ability to accomplish His will in creation.
This Psalm calls on heavenly beings, or powerful earthly rulers, to acknowledge God's might, particularly as revealed in nature's awesome power, likely inspired by a storm during David's unified kingdom.
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign as King
The Psalms are traditionally attributed to King David, who unified Israel and established Jerusalem as its capital. This period marks a zenith of Israelite power and worship.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
Likely Composition of Psalm 29
Scholars suggest this Psalm likely emerged during or shortly after David's reign, possibly inspired by a powerful thunderstorm.
c. 970-931 BC
Solomon's Reign
David's son Solomon continued the established kingdom, building the First Temple in Jerusalem. The worship and traditions solidified during this era.
931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united monarchy split into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. This division led to centuries of conflict and differing religious practices.
c. 740-700 BC
Assyrian Expansion and Influence
The powerful Assyrian Empire began its aggressive expansion, impacting the political and religious landscape of both Israel and Judah. This era saw prophecies and calls for repentance.
586 BC
Babylonian Exile
The southern Kingdom of Judah fell to the Babylonians, its people exiled. This traumatic event profoundly shaped Jewish identity and theology, emphasizing God's sovereignty over all nations.
This verse speaks of the morning stars singing together and all the sons of God shouting for joy, echoing the call in Psalm 29:1 for 'heavenly beings' or 'mighty ones' to ascribe glory and strength to God.
Psalm 96:7-9This passage directly calls upon 'families of the peoples' and 'clans of the nations' to 'ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name' and to 'worship the LORD in holy attire,' paralleling the summons in Psalm 29:1 to acknowledge God's glory and strength.
Isaiah 6:3The seraphim crying 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!' demonstrates the heavenly beings' role in proclaiming God's glory, which aligns with the command given to the mighty in Psalm 29:1.
1 Chronicles 16:28-29This passage urges people to 'ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and might' and to 'give the glory due to his name,' directly mirroring the imperative in Psalm 29:1 to give glory and strength to God.
Revelation 4:8The four living creatures incessantly saying 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come,' shows the continuous act of worship and ascription of glory and power by heavenly beings, reinforcing the theme of Psalm 29:1.
cambridgePsalms 29:1: "A Psalm of David. Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength."
1 . O ye mighty ] The phrase bnç çlîm admits of three renderings. (1) O ye sons of the mighty (R.V.), which may mean either powerful nobles, or mighty celestial beings. (2) O ye sons of the gods (R.V. marg.), meaning either beings “belonging to the class of superhuman, heavenly powers” (Cheyne); or the nations who “had forgotten their true parentage, and ranged themselves under the protectio…
gillPsalms 29:1: "A Psalm of David. Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength."
Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty,.... The Targum refers this to the angels, "give praise before the Lord, ye companies of angels, sons of the Mighty;'' these are mighty ones, and excel all other creatures in strength; and are the sons of the Mighty, or of God; it is their duty and their business to glorify and to worship him and his Son Jesus Christ, as they do continually; but rather the pri…
While the verse calls on "heavenly beings" to give glory and strength, its real punch comes from the repetition: "give unto the LORD... give unto the LORD." This isn't just a suggestion; it's an urgent summons, implying that these mighty beings must acknowledge God's supreme power, especially as it's about to be dramatically revealed.
This psalm begins by calling upon heavenly beings, or potentially powerful earthly rulers, to acknowledge and proclaim God's supreme glory and might. The text sets the stage for a grand declaration of God's power, which will unfold in the following verses through vivid imagery of His dominion over creation, particularly the awesome force of a storm. This initial summons prepares the listener to recognize the divine source behind the natural phenomena about to be described.
This psalm begins by calling upon heavenly beings, or potentially powerful earthly rulers, to acknowledge and proclaim God's supreme glory and might. The text sets the stage for a grand declaration of God's power, which will unfold in the following verses through vivid imagery of His dominion over creation, particularly the awesome force of a storm. This initial summons prepares the listener to recognize the divine source behind the natural phenomena about to be described.
"Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength." — While the verse calls on "heavenly beings" to give glory and strength, its real punch comes from the repetition: "give unto the LORD... give unto the LORD." This isn't just a suggestion; it's an urge…
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Last reviewed October 2026