The voice of the Lord in a thunderstorm.
v.1-2 Prologue: Ascribe to the Lord glory.
v.3-4 Thunderstorm over the waters.
v.5-9 Thunderstorm over the land.
v.10-11 Epilogue: The Lord sits enthroned as king.
v.1 “Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings” — a reference to other gods worshiped by pagans.
v.2 “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name” – A call to worship.
The psalm focuses on the majestic power of the Lord; with his voice appearing in a thunder and lightening storm. “The voice of the Lord” appears seven times in v.3-9. This comes in response to the psalmists call for deliverance in Psalm 28.
The voice of the Lord:
- thunders over the waters v.3
- is powerful v.4
- is full of majesty v.4
- breaks the cedars of Lebanon v.5
- makes Lebanon skip like a calf v.6
- flashes forth flames of fire v.7
- shakes the wilderness v.8
- makes the deer give birth (v.9, ESV), or, twists the oaks (v.9, NIV)
- strips the forest bare v.9
v.9 “and in his temple all cry, ‘Glory’!” — our response to his glory revealed in creation.
v.10a “The Lord sits enthroned over the flood” — refers to God’s control over the chaotic floods of creation.
v.10b “the Lord sits enthroned forever” — Having come in a great display of power across the waters (creation and the Mediterranean), having left devastating evidence of his power in Lebanon, and having entered the temple with acclamations of his glory, God sits on the throne forever. (NIVAC)
v.11 The enthroned God now provides his people strength and peace.
This God who created all and is all powerful is available today to all who come to him through the name of Jesus (Eph. 1:19-20)