God’s Thunderous Psalm 29 Voice Delivers Peace to the Mourner

I have found that majesty undermines loss. While I have faced loss squarely and encouraged others to face loss squarely, it is more important to set the loss alongside the majesty of God. God’s splendor causes loss to dwindle by comparison.

“Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” Psalm 29:1-2

David instructs heavenly beings to acknowledge and assign glory and strength to the Lord. He calls for worship marked by the splendor of holiness. Compare loss to glory and splendor and context is given to any mourner.

I love Psalm 2:4 where we read that the Lord laughs in response to raging nations and plotting people. Our Lord who laughs at such silliness thunders with power and majesty.

“The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.” Psalm 29:3-4

David describes further that his voice breaks the cedars of Lebanon. I love being in a canyon near a lake when you hear sounds echo and reverberate and bounce off the other side. Imagine the Lord who created the waters thundering his voice across the many waters. When my family lived in Africa, I loved the storms we would experience. We’d see lightening and hear the thunder that rumbled and bounced all around us. The powerful display riveted our attention. Likewise, the Lord’s voice is powerful and full of majesty. His voice gives rise to awe and trust.

“The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness…” Psalm 29:7-8

Remember, David is making the case for the Lord’s greatness. Glory and strength are evident and must be acknowledged. If he hasn’t made the case thus far, he proclaims the Lord’s voice of power is like flames of fire flashing. His thunderous voice shakes the wilderness. Even deer give birth at the power of God’s voice and forests are stripped bare.

Those having good days and those facing loss are compelled to cry out, “Glory!” Majesty and splendor overwhelm loss. The confident and the despairing fall before his throne. When we experience his powerful voice, we know our place. Ecclesiastes 5:2 reminds us, “…God is in heaven and you are on earth…” We are not to be rash nor hasty with our words. We are to let our words be few.

“…and in his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’” Psalm 29:9

In the face of loss, crying out “Glory!” is a powerful reminder that loss does not have the last word. God is on his throne and his voice thunders over the waters. God has earned my trust and my loyalty! His flaming voice and thunderous words inspire awe and belief that he is my king—and the world’s king—forever.

His power gives birth to surpassing peace in the hearts of mourners.

“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!” Psalm 29:10-11