Psalms 29:3
The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Notice how the verse emphasizes God's presence upon the waters, not just his voice over them. This isn't just thunder; it's the "God of glory" himself actively reigning from the vast, powerful expanse of the sky's "many waters," revealing His majesty from above.
This psalm is a powerful liturgical hymn calling all of creation to acknowledge God's majesty. It begins by summoning divine beings to give glory to the Lord, and then launches into a vivid, almost sensory description of God's power revealed through a magnificent thunderstorm. The text emphasizes that this isn't just atmospheric disturbance, but God's direct, thundering voice resonating powerfully over the waters, both in the clouds and perhaps across vast seas, displaying His awesome might.
We often hear 'the voice of the Lord' and think of a gentle whisper. But what happens when God's voice isn't a whisper, but a roar?
This verse uses the dramatic imagery of a thunderstorm to describe God's powerful voice. While thunder is the most obvious sound, the 'voice of the LORD' here encompasses the entire storm – the wind, the rain, and the rumbling thunder.
Think of it like this:
A Symphony of Power
So, when the Psalmist speaks of God's voice 'upon the waters,' it’s not just about the sound; it’s about God's sovereign presence and overwhelming power demonstrated through the grandest displays of nature.
The verse calls God 'the God of glory.' What does this tell us about His character when He thunders?
This isn't just any god thundering; it's 'the God of glory.' This title points to God's inherent majesty, His perfect radiance, and His supreme worthiness of honor.
Glory Revealed in Power
When God thunders, it’s not a chaotic outburst but a declaration of His glory.
Understand the original words
qol · Hebrew Noun
An audible expression, utterance, or command; when applied to God, it represents His active word that exercises authority over creation and accomplishes His purpose.
This passage describes God sending thunder and hail during the plague of Egypt, directly linking His voice to the terrifying power of a thunderstorm.
Job 37:2-5Job's experience powerfully depicts God's voice as thunder, emphasizing its awesome sound and His control over the storms and rain that come from the heavens.
Psalm 18:13This verse echoes Psalm 29:3, stating that the LORD thundered from heaven and the Most High uttered his voice, equating His powerful declarations with thunderous sounds.
Jeremiah 10:13The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the LORD making thunder, bringing rain from the ends of the earth, and bringing forth lightning, connecting His power over the waters with His voice.
Revelation 10:3In the dramatic visions of Revelation, a lion roars, and when he roars, the seven thunders utter their voices, showing a powerful, divine voice associated with thunder in a cosmic context.
cambridgePsalms 29:3: "The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters."
3 . The voice of the Lord ] So thunder is called in Exodus 9:23 ff.; Psalm 18:13 ; &c. Cp. Revelation 10:3 f. upon the waters ] Hardly the sea, as though the storm were represented as coming in from the Mediterranean; but rather the waters collected in the dense masses of storm-cloud upon which Jehovah rides ( Psalm 18:9 ff.; Psalm 104:3 ; Jeremiah 10:13 ). the God of glory ] Cp.…
gillPsalms 29:3: "The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters."
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters,.... What follows concerning thunder, the voice of the Lord, gives so many reasons why he should have glory given him and be worshipped; the Heathens (y) paid their devotion to thunder and lightning: but this should be done to the author of them; which may be literally understood of thunder, and is the voice of the Lord; see Psalm 18:13 ; a…
Notice how the verse emphasizes God's presence upon the waters, not just his voice over them. This isn't just thunder; it's the "God of glory" himself actively reigning from the vast, powerful expanse of the sky's "many waters," revealing His majesty from above.
This psalm is a powerful liturgical hymn calling all of creation to acknowledge God's majesty. It begins by summoning divine beings to give glory to the Lord, and then launches into a vivid, almost sensory description of God's power revealed through a magnificent thunderstorm. The text emphasizes that this isn't just atmospheric disturbance, but God's direct, thundering voice resonating powerfully over the waters, both in the clouds and perhaps across vast seas, displaying His awesome might.
This psalm is a powerful liturgical hymn calling all of creation to acknowledge God's majesty. It begins by summoning divine beings to give glory to the Lord, and then launches into a vivid, almost sensory description of God's power revealed through a magnificent thunderstorm. The text emphasizes that this isn't just atmospheric disturbance, but God's direct, thundering voice resonating powerfully over the waters, both in the clouds and perhaps across vast seas, displaying His awesome might.
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"The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters." — Notice how the verse emphasizes God's presence upon the waters, not just his voice over them. This isn't just thunder; it's the "God of glory" himself actively reigning from the vast, powerful ex…
