The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse reveals that the "waters" aren't just rain or seas, but specifically the vast masses of water held within the storm clouds themselves. The thunder isn't just a sound; it's the powerful "voice" of the "God of glory" making His presence known from His throne high above, reigning over these immense watery reservoirs.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm begins by calling on heavenly beings to acknowledge the Lord's might. The verse that follows vividly describes the thunder of a massive storm, not just as noise, but as the actual "voice" of God, the glorious one, manifesting His power over the clouds and "many waters" of the sky. This powerful imagery sets the stage for the rest of the psalm, which will detail how this divine voice shakes creation from the cedars of Lebanon to the wilderness of Kadesh.
What if the 'voice' we hear isn't just sound, but a powerful declaration of God's presence and might? This verse points us to a God whose voice shakes creation itself.
God's Voice is Thunder
The psalm immediately equates the "voice of the LORD" with thunder. This isn't just a gentle whisper; it's a dramatic, powerful sound that commands attention. Think of the most intense storm you've ever experienced – the booming thunder, the shaking ground – that's the kind of power the psalmist is talking about.
More Than Just Noise
But it's not just about the sound itself. This voice is described as belonging to "the God of glory." This means that when God speaks, especially through powerful natural phenomena like thunder, He is revealing His glorious nature. It’s a majestic announcement of who He is.
God's Authority Over All
The verse mentions 'waters' and 'many waters' multiple times. What do these signify, and why is God's voice specifically linked to them?
Celestial Waters
The "waters" here likely don't refer to the earthly seas in the immediate sense. Instead, they point to the waters held in the clouds – the source of rain and storms. The ancient understanding was that God's throne and power were connected to the heavens, the vast expanse where these waters reside.
Ask a follow-up
Symbol of Immensity and Power
When the psalm says "the LORD, upon many waters," it's emphasizing the immense scope of God's authority. These "many waters" can represent the vastness of the sky, the clouds, and the overwhelming power of storms. God's voice thundering over these signifies His supreme dominion over even the most powerful and immense aspects of creation.
A Throne in the Heavens
This imagery connects to other parts of Scripture where God is depicted as enthroned above the waters or riding on the clouds. It paints a picture of a God who is not distant but actively ruling from the highest heavens, with His voice echoing through His creation.
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.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus and Receiving the Law
During the Exodus from Egypt and the subsequent journey to Mount Sinai, the Israelites directly experienced God's powerful voice through thunder and lightning, as described in Exodus 19-20. This event established God's authority and covenant with His people.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David, the traditional author of many Psalms, reigned during a period of relative stability and consolidation for Israel. This era provided a backdrop for worship and reflection on God's power over creation.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
Psalms of Ascent and Praise
Psalms like the 29th were likely composed and used within the context of Israelite worship, possibly during festivals or journeys to Jerusalem. They served to remind the people of God's majestic power and sovereignty.
c. 750 BC
Prophetic Warnings
Prophets like Isaiah and Amos spoke of God's judgment, often using natural phenomena like storms to illustrate His power and the consequences of disobedience. This continued to shape the understanding of God's voice in nature.
This passage describes the Lord sending thunder and hail during the plague of Egypt, directly linking the 'voice of the Lord' to the terrifying sound of thunder.
Job 37:4-5Job speaks of God's majestic voice and thunder, emphasizing its power and the awe it inspires, much like the description in Psalms 29.
Psalms 18:13This psalm also speaks of the Lord thundering from the heavens, and the Most High giving His voice in hailstones and fiery bolts, mirroring the imagery of God's power over the waters and storms.
Jeremiah 10:13Here, thunder is described as 'the voice of the Lord' accompanied by rain and storms, connecting the celestial display to God's command and power over the elements.
Revelation 10:3In this New Testament vision, a mighty angel cries out with a voice like a lion roaring, and when he cries out, the thunder speaks with many voices, linking the concept of a powerful divine voice to thunder.
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…
This verse reveals that the "waters" aren't just rain or seas, but specifically the vast masses of water held within the storm clouds themselves. The thunder isn't just a sound; it's the powerful "voice" of the "God of glory" making His presence known from His throne high above, reigning over these immense watery reservoirs.
This psalm begins by calling on heavenly beings to acknowledge the Lord's might. The verse that follows vividly describes the thunder of a massive storm, not just as noise, but as the actual "voice" of God, the glorious one, manifesting His power over the clouds and "many waters" of the sky. This powerful imagery sets the stage for the rest of the psalm, which will detail how this divine voice shakes creation from the cedars of Lebanon to the wilderness of Kadesh.
This psalm begins by calling on heavenly beings to acknowledge the Lord's might. The verse that follows vividly describes the thunder of a massive storm, not just as noise, but as the actual "voice" of God, the glorious one, manifesting His power over the clouds and "many waters" of the sky. This powerful imagery sets the stage for the rest of the psalm, which will detail how this divine voice shakes creation from the cedars of Lebanon to the wilderness of Kadesh.
"The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters." — This verse reveals that the "waters" aren't just rain or seas, but specifically the vast masses of water held within the storm clouds themselves. The thunder isn't just a sound; it's the powerful "vo…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026