Psalm 29 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 29 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Verse 2Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendor.
Verse 3The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters.
Verse 4The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
Verse 5The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
Verse 6He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
Verse 7The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
Verse 8The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
Verse 9The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, "Glory!"
Verse 10The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
Verse 11May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!
Devotion
When God speaks, creation responds.
Our granddaughter was learning to ride a bike. Her dad encouraged her, “You can do it! You can do it!” She replied, “I can do it. I am Kate!” Dad spoke, Kate responded.
When God spoke creation happened. Working in and through us, God’s word continues to create. All creation, from the depths of the seas to the far reaches of the universe, experiences the impact of God’s voice touching everything. The voice of the Lord brings responses from the waters, from the wilderness, from heavenly beings. “Let the whole creation cry, ‘Glory to the Lord on high!’” (ELW 876)
I hear God’s voice calling me to stop, look, and listen, to stop my busy-ness, to look at ants and stars, to listen to the birds, and wind, and silence. When I respond, I am praising God, knowing God’s strength, and living into God’s peace. Do you hear God calling you to stop, look, and listen? How do you respond?
Prayer
Speaking God, open our ears to hear your voice; open our eyes to see the wonders of your creation; open our mouths to praise you; and open our hearts to know our interdependence with all creation. Amen.