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
I remember uneasy, hot, humid summer days when hazy air hung heavily over our entire farm. Sometimes, a storm rolled in with rumbling thunder that shook the house. Flashing lightning illuminated the entire landscape. Forceful winds made even sturdy trees sway. The disorder in these powerful storms was frightening! However, once these storms passed—hopefully without damage—there were transformative changes that felt like a new beginning. The sky cleared and brightened. The air became refreshed and cooler. Stillness and calm were restored. Powerful storms can remind us of God’s sovereignty over all creation. In the beginning when there was disorder, God spoke and created order. Our eternally powerful God continues to re-create and restore order despite any turmoil. Therefore, we have assurance that whatever we face, we can pray to our Creator for strength and blessings of peace. And we can confidently join creation in proclaiming, “Glory to God!”
Prayer
Glory to you, our Sovereign God! As we begin the year and in the days to come, please grant us—and all of your people—strength and the blessings of your peace. Through your Son, Amen.