Psalms 29:3

KJV

The voice of the LORD [is] upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD [is] upon many waters.

KJV (with Strong's)

The voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068} is upon the waters {H4325}: the God {H410} of glory {H3519} thundereth {H7481}: the LORD {H3068} is upon many {H7227} waters {H4325}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The voice of ADONAI is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, ADONAI over rushing waters,

Berean Standard Bible

The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is heard over many waters.

American Standard Version

The voice of Jehovah is upon the waters: The God of glory thundereth, Even Jehovah upon many waters.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 29:3 powerfully initiates the psalm's central theme: the majestic and overwhelming sovereignty of Yahweh, depicted through the imagery of a grand thunderstorm. This verse immediately establishes God's active presence and control over creation, particularly the vast and mighty waters, portraying His "voice" not merely as a sound but as a dynamic, effective force that commands the elements and manifests His inherent glory through the roaring thunder. It sets the stage for a profound declaration of God's unmatched dominion over all natural forces, asserting His supremacy above all other perceived powers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 29 is a majestic hymn, often categorized as a "hymn of Yahweh's kingship" or a "storm psalm." It meticulously describes the progression of a powerful thunderstorm, from its onset over the Mediterranean Sea (implied by "many waters") to its powerful impact across the land of Israel, culminating in the declaration of God's enthronement. Verse 3 serves as the dramatic opening, immediately introducing the central motif of "the voice of the LORD" (קֹול יְהוָה, *qol Yahweh*), a phrase that is repeated seven times throughout the psalm, emphasizing the direct, active, and irresistible power of God's utterance. This verse sets the stage for the subsequent verses that detail the storm's destructive and transformative effects, all attributed to God's sovereign command.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, storms were frequently associated with powerful deities, particularly the Canaanite storm god Baal, who was often depicted as riding the clouds and wielding thunder and lightning. Psalm 29 directly confronts this pagan worldview by unequivocally attributing all such power to Yahweh, the God of Israel. By using familiar storm imagery, the psalmist reclaims these powerful natural phenomena as exclusive manifestations of Yahweh's glory and dominion, thereby asserting His absolute supremacy over all other gods and natural forces. This was a crucial theological statement for Israel, distinguishing their God from the surrounding pantheons and reinforcing monotheism.
* **Key Themes:** This verse immediately introduces several foundational themes that permeate the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Power**, declaring God's absolute control over creation, particularly the chaotic and untamed forces of nature. His "voice" is not merely an audible sound but an active, creative, and destructive force that commands the mighty waters and causes the heavens to roar, echoing the creative power of God's word in [the creation account](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"). Secondly, the verse highlights **God's Glory Revealed in Nature**, identifying Him as "the God of glory" whose majestic presence and inherent greatness are tangibly displayed in the overwhelming force of the storm. This aligns with the broader biblical concept that the heavens declare God's glory, as seen in [Psalm 19:1](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory"). Finally, "upon the waters" and "upon many waters" can symbolize **Dominion Over Chaos**, recalling how God's Spirit hovered over the waters at creation in [Genesis 1:2](/genesis/1-2 "Genesis 1:2 - Spirit Hovering Over Waters") and His subsequent control over the primeval deep, asserting His power over forces that might otherwise be perceived as untamable or chaotic.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Voice (Hebrew, _qôwl'_):** The Hebrew term *qôwl* (H6963) refers broadly to a "voice" or "sound," derived from a root meaning "to call aloud." In the context of "the voice of the LORD" (קֹול יְהוָה), it transcends mere audibility, signifying God's active, powerful, and effective word or command. It is the very utterance of God that manifests as the thunder and all the storm's effects, embodying His irresistible agency.
* **God of glory (Hebrew, _ʼêl kâbôwd'_):** This phrase combines *ʼêl* (H410), meaning "God" or "mighty one," often signifying the Almighty, with *kâbôwd* (H3519), which properly means "weight" but figuratively denotes "splendor," "honor," or "majesty." When applied to God, *kâbôwd* signifies His inherent, weighty majesty, His manifest presence, and His awesome splendor. The combination "God of glory" emphasizes that God's very being is characterized by this weighty majesty, which is tangibly displayed in the overwhelming force and grandeur of the thunderstorm, declaring His supreme, awe-inspiring nature.
* **Thundereth (Hebrew, _râʻam'_):** The Hebrew verb *râʻam* (H7481) is a primitive root meaning "to tumble" or "be violently agitated," specifically used for the crashing sound of thunder. It vividly links the sound of thunder directly to God's powerful voice, portraying it as a direct emanation of His powerful utterance. This verb underscores the divine origin and immense power behind the natural phenomenon, a tangible manifestation of God's *kâbôwd*.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The voice of the LORD [is] upon the waters":** This opening clause immediately establishes the setting and the primary agent. The "voice of the LORD" is personified as an active force, not merely a sound, that hovers over or commands the "waters." These "waters" likely refer to the vast expanse of the Mediterranean Sea, from which thunderstorms often approach the land of Israel, symbolizing the initial manifestation of God's power over the immense, often chaotic, natural elements.
* **"the God of glory thundereth":** This phrase directly attributes the thunder, a powerful and awe-inspiring natural phenomenon, to "the God of glory." It explicitly links the raw power of the storm to God's inherent majesty and splendor (*kâbôwd*). The thunder is not a random occurrence but a direct, intentional act of the sovereign God, a tangible expression of His magnificent presence and irresistible might.
* **"the LORD [is] upon many waters":** This repetition reinforces and amplifies the initial statement. "Many waters" (מַיִם רַבִּים, *mayim rabbim*) emphasizes the vastness and multitude of the waters, underscoring the immensity of the domain over which God's voice holds sway. The reiteration serves to solidify the psalmist's assertion of God's absolute and pervasive control, not just over a single body of water, but over all the great, powerful, and potentially overwhelming watery expanses of creation.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 29:3 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its message of divine majesty. **Personification** is central, as "the voice of the LORD" is portrayed as an active agent, not merely an audible sound, but a force that "is upon the waters" and "thundereth." This imbues God's utterance with agency and power. **Repetition** is also key, particularly the phrase "the voice of the LORD" and the reiteration of "upon the waters" with "upon many waters." This repetition serves to emphasize God's pervasive presence and unwavering control, building a sense of escalating power and certainty. **Imagery** is vividly employed, painting a picture of God's majestic voice hovering over vast waters and manifesting as roaring thunder, engaging the reader's senses to evoke awe. Furthermore, the verse exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, where the second clause ("the God of glory thundereth") elaborates on and intensifies the first ("The voice of the LORD [is] upon the waters"), and the third clause ("the LORD [is] upon many waters") echoes and reinforces the initial assertion, creating a rhythmic and emphatic declaration of God's overwhelming dominion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 29:3 lays a foundational theological truth: God's absolute sovereignty is not an abstract concept but is tangibly revealed through His active dominion over creation. The "voice of the LORD" represents His creative, sustaining, and judging power, echoing the very word by which the cosmos was formed. This verse asserts Yahweh's supremacy over all other gods and forces, particularly in a context where natural phenomena like storms were often deified. It teaches that true glory and power belong solely to the God of Israel, whose majesty is so immense that even the most formidable elements respond to His command. This revelation of God's power in nature is meant to inspire awe, worship, and trust in His ultimate control over all things.

* [Job 37:4-5](/job/37-4-5 "Job 37:4-5 - God's Voice Thunders")
* [Revelation 1:15](/revelation/1-15 "Revelation 1:15 - Voice Like Many Waters")
* [Psalm 93:4](/psalms/93-4 "Psalm 93:4 - The Lord is Mightier Than Many Waters")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 29:3 invites us to cultivate a profound sense of awe and reverence for God's immense power and majesty. In a world that often seeks to rationalize away or diminish the divine, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that the forces of nature, though seemingly chaotic or impersonal, are ultimately under the sovereign command of the Creator. When we witness the raw power of a storm, the vastness of the ocean, or the thunder echoing through the sky, this psalm calls us to see not merely natural phenomena, but direct manifestations of God's glorious presence and active voice. This understanding should lead us to greater trust, knowing that the God who commands the thunder and the mighty waters is utterly in control of our lives and circumstances, no matter how turbulent or overwhelming they may seem. It challenges us to move beyond a superficial appreciation of nature to a deep, worshipful recognition of the One who orchestrates it all, inspiring us to worship Him with profound respect and unwavering confidence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God's power over nature (as depicted in Psalms 29:3) impact your sense of security and trust in Him during personal "storms" or chaotic times in your life?**
* **In what ways can you actively seek to "see God in creation" (Romans 1:20) and allow natural phenomena to draw you into deeper worship and reverence for His glory?**
* **How does the psalmist's emphasis on God's "voice" (His active word) challenge you to consider the power and authority of God's spoken word in your own life and in Scripture?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "the voice of the LORD" being "upon the waters"?**

Answer: The phrase "the voice of the LORD" (קֹול יְהוָה, *qol Yahweh*) is a central motif in Psalm 29, appearing seven times to emphasize God's active and irresistible power. Its presence "upon the waters" signifies God's absolute dominion over the vast, often untamed, and potentially chaotic forces of the sea. In ancient Near Eastern thought, large bodies of water could symbolize primeval chaos or the domain of other deities. By declaring His voice to be "upon the waters," the psalmist asserts Yahweh's supreme authority, demonstrating His control from the very source of the storm, much like His Spirit hovered over the waters in [Genesis 1:2](/genesis/1-2 "Genesis 1:2 - Spirit Hovering Over Waters") at creation. This imagery underscores that no force, however immense or formidable, is beyond God's sovereign command.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 29:3, with its majestic portrayal of God's voice commanding the waters and thundering forth His glory, finds its ultimate fulfillment and most profound expression in the person of Jesus Christ. The "voice of the LORD" that wields such power over creation is perfectly embodied in the Word made flesh, who is Himself the divine utterance of God. Just as the psalmist describes God's voice upon "many waters," Jesus demonstrated His inherent divine authority by literally commanding the elements, as seen when He calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, rebuking the wind and waves with a mere word, causing the disciples to marvel, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" ([Mark 4:39-41](/mark/4-39-41 "Mark 4:39-41 - Jesus Calms the Storm")). Furthermore, the "God of glory" who "thundereth" is fully revealed in Christ, who is the "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). The thunderous voice of God that manifests His power in the Old Testament foreshadows the authoritative voice of Jesus, who not only speaks creation into submission but also speaks life into the dead ([John 5:25](/john/5-25 "John 5:25 - The Dead Will Hear His Voice")) and offers eternal salvation. Thus, the raw power and glory of God declared in Psalms 29:3 are perfectly and redemptively displayed in the person and work of Christ, the true Lord over all creation, who brings order to chaos and reveals God's glory in His saving work.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 37:2

Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound [that] goeth out of his mouth.

Job 37:5

God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

Psalms 93:3

The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.

Psalms 93:4

The LORD on high [is] mightier than the noise of many waters, [yea, than] the mighty waves of the sea.

Exodus 9:33

And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.

Matthew 8:26

And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

Matthew 8:27

But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!