INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 29 A PSALM OF DAVID. In the Vulgate Latin version is added, "at the finishing of the tabernacle"; suggesting that this psalm was composed at that time, and on that occasion; not at the finishing of the tabernacle by Moses, but at the finishing of the tent or tabernacle which D... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVE UNTO THE LORD THE GLORY DUE TO HIS NAME,.... Or "the glory of his name" x: which is suitable to his nature, agreeable to his perfections, and which belongs unto him on account of his works; WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS; the Lord is only to be worshipped, and not any creature, ang... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VOICE OF THE LORD [IS] POWERFUL,.... Or "with power" a; as thunder, in the effect of it, shows; and so is the Gospel, when it comes, not in word only, but is attended with the power of God to the conversion and salvation of souls; it is then quick and powerful, Hebrews 4:12; and the word of Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VOICE OF THE LORD BREAKETH THE CEDARS,.... Such an effect thunder has upon the tallest, strongest, and largest trees, as to break them into shivers; YEA, THE LORD BREAKETH THE CEDARS OF LEBANON; a mountain in the north part of the land of Judea, so called from its whiteness, both by reason of t... [ Continue Reading ]
HE MAKETH THEM ALSO TO SKIP LIKE A CALF,.... That is, the cedars, the branches being broken off, or they torn up by the roots, and tossed about by the wind; which motion is compared to that of a calf that leaps and skips about; LEBANON AND SIRION, LIKE A YOUNG UNICORN; that is, these mountains move... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VOICE OF THE LORD DIVIDETH THE FLAMES OF FIRE. Or "cutteth with flames of fire" e; that is, the thunder breaks through the clouds with flames of fire, or lightning, as that is sometimes called, Psalms 105:32; and with which it cleaves asunder trees and masts of ships, cuts and hews them down, a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VOICE OF THE LORD SHAKETH THE WILDERNESS,.... The ground of it, the trees in it, and the beasts that harbour there; and causes them to be in pain, and to bring forth their young, as the g word signifies, and as it is rendered in Psalms 29:9; all which effects thunder produces, and may mystically... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VOICE OF THE LORD MAKETH THE HINDS TO CALVE,.... Which being timorous creatures, the bringing forth of their young, which is naturally very painful and difficult, is lessened and facilitated by thunder; they being either so frightened with it that they feel not their pains; or their pains, being... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD SITTETH UPON THE FLOOD,.... Noah's flood; which is always designed by the word here used, the Lord sat and judged the old world for its wickedness, and brought a flood upon them, and destroyed them; and then he abated it, sent a wind to assuage the waters, stopped up the windows of heaven,... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD WILL GIVE STRENGTH UNTO HIS PEOPLE,.... His special people, his covenant people, whom he has chosen for himself; these are encompassed with infirmities, and are weak in themselves; but there is strength for them in Christ: the Lord promises it unto them, and bestows it on them, and which is... [ Continue Reading ]