Psalms 29:1

¶ A Psalm of David. Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

A Psalm {H4210} of David {H1732}. Give {H3051} unto the LORD {H3068}, O ye mighty {H1121}{H410}, give {H3051} unto the LORD {H3068} glory {H3519} and strength {H5797}.

A psalm of David: Give ADONAI his due, you who are godly; give ADONAI his due of glory and strength;

Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe unto Jehovah, O ye sons of the mighty, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength.

Commentary

Psalm 29:1, a powerful opening to a majestic psalm, immediately establishes the theme of God's supreme authority and majesty. Attributed to King David, this verse serves as an imperative call to worship, setting the stage for a vivid depiction of God's overwhelming power as revealed through a thunderstorm.

Context

This psalm, often referred to as a "storm psalm," places the natural phenomenon of a powerful thunderstorm as a demonstration of God's voice and might. In the ancient Near East, storms were often attributed to various deities. However, David's psalm unequivocally declares the singular power and sovereignty of Yahweh, the God of Israel. Verse 1 is a summons to all powerful beings, whether heavenly or earthly, to acknowledge and attribute due honor to the Lord, before the psalm describes His voice ("the voice of the LORD") resounding over creation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Power: The central message is that God alone is worthy of all glory and strength. He is not merely powerful, but the source of all power, to whom even the most formidable entities must submit. This resonates with other psalms that speak of God's ultimate dominion, such as Psalm 96:7-8.
  • Call to Worship: The repeated command, "Give unto the LORD," is a direct summons to worship. It's an invitation, or perhaps an expectation, that all who possess any form of might or influence should recognize and render honor to the one true God.
  • God's Majesty over All Creation: By calling "ye mighty" to acknowledge God's strength, the psalm implicitly contrasts human or even angelic power with the infinite power of the Creator.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "O ye mighty" translates the Hebrew b'nei elim, which literally means "sons of God" or "sons of the mighty ones." This can refer to:

  • Angelic Beings: Many commentators interpret this as a call to the heavenly host, the angelic beings, to ascribe glory and strength to God. This view aligns with passages like Job 38:7, where "the sons of God" shout for joy.
  • Earthly Rulers/Potentates: Alternatively, it could refer to powerful human leaders and nations, urging them to recognize God's ultimate authority above their own.
Regardless of the precise interpretation, the intent is clear: those with significant power or influence are specifically called to acknowledge God's supremacy. The words "glory" (Hebrew: kavod, meaning honor, splendor, weightiness) and "strength" (Hebrew: oz, meaning power, might) are fundamental attributes of God that are to be attributed to Him.

Practical Application

Psalm 29:1 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Acknowledge God's Supremacy: It reminds us that all power, authority, and influence ultimately originate from and belong to God. This should humble us and guide our perspectives on worldly power.
  • Prioritize Worship: Our primary duty is to give God the glory and strength that are His due. This involves not just words, but a life lived in recognition of His sovereignty.
  • Trust in God's Power: If even the most powerful entities are called to worship God, we can find immense comfort and security in knowing that our God is supremely powerful and in control, as highlighted by Romans 8:31.
This verse serves as a foundational declaration that God is worthy of all praise, and His power transcends all earthly or even heavenly might.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 96:7

    Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

  • Psalms 96:9

    O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

  • 1 Chronicles 16:28

    Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

  • 1 Chronicles 16:29

    Give unto the LORD the glory [due] unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

  • Psalms 68:31

    Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.

  • Psalms 68:34

    Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency [is] over Israel, and his strength [is] in the clouds.

  • Revelation 5:11

    And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
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