Psalm 29

Time with the Lord in the Psalms! The notes you’ll find here are the nuts & bolts of my efforts to understand & apply the Psalms to my life. I hope that they’ll be an encouragement as you glean the Scriptures for guidance & encouragement.

You’ll notice 3 basic pieces to my notes: A basic outline, the question “What sticks out this time?” and the final question “What difference does this make?” These are the three regular parts of my time in the word. The outline will vary in length and detail. It’s simply a product of my efforts to understand & keep track of the flow of each Psalm. The first question is an effort to stay sensitive to what God is featuring for me as I read that day. The final question is an effort to apply the truth to my life – my thoughts, my choices, etc.

I want to profit from God’s word. As your brother in Christ, I want you to profit from it. I want you to carry these 3 basic pieces into every passage you study anywhere in Scripture.

Enjoy your time in the Word!

A Basic Outline
A call to worship, 1-2
Praise to the Lord for His power, 3-9
Acknowledging the Lord’s sovereignty, 10
Acknowledging the Lord’s faithful provision, 11

(Are vs3-11 David’s reason for praise or David’s praise? Since there’s no conjunction like “because” or “for” at the beginning of v3, perhaps David isn’t giving a reason to praise the Lord. Instead, he could be launching into praise, exalting God because of His power which is demonstrated in the storm.)
(“The voice of the Lord” occurs 7 times. This phrase is likely a type of figurative language called synecdoche where ‘a part of something refers to the whole of something.’ For example “hired hands” would be a way to refer to paid workers. So, “the voice of the Lord” would be a figurative way to describe “the God of glory” and not merely His voice.)

What sticks out this time?
The description reminds me of storms I’ve experienced. When I think back on those storms I remember how intimidating they were. If those storms are a glimpse of Your power then just how powerful are You? If those storms are a glimpse of Your power then what can’t You handle?
What difference does this make?
Fear grabs me when I’m in a situation that is new or beyond me… there is no situation that is beyond Your strength as it is described here. This picture of Your strength acts like an invitation for me to relax… You can handle it.  Glimpsing Your strength brings me to a good place.  A place where I’m intimidated and respectful of You instead of my circumstances.