Psalms 29:8

KJV

The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.

KJV (with Strong's)

The voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068} shaketh {H2342} the wilderness {H4057}; the LORD {H3068} shaketh {H2342} the wilderness {H4057} of Kadesh {H6946}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the voice of ADONAI rocks the desert, ADONAI convulses the Kadesh Desert.

Berean Standard Bible

The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.

American Standard Version

The voice of Jehovah shaketh the wilderness; Jehovah shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 29:8 powerfully illustrates the absolute and irresistible might of God, portraying His "voice" as an overwhelming force capable of causing even the most desolate and formidable landscapes to tremble. By specifically naming the "wilderness of Kadesh," the psalmist emphasizes that no region, however remote, barren, or historically significant for human rebellion, is beyond the reach or unaffected by the Almighty's sovereign command. This verse profoundly underscores the universal scope of divine power, revealing God's active presence and authority over all creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 29 is a majestic hymn often categorized as a "thunderstorm psalm," vividly portraying the glory and power of Yahweh. The entire psalm builds a dramatic crescendo around the repeated phrase "the voice of the LORD" (Hebrew: *qol Yahweh*), which appears seven times, symbolizing divine perfection and completeness in God's command over creation. Verses 3-9 sequentially describe the effects of this divine voice, moving from the waters in [Psalm 29:3](/psalms/29-3 "Psalm 29:3 - The Voice of the Lord is Upon the Waters"), to breaking cedars in [Psalm 29:5](/psalms/29-5 "Psalm 29:5 - The Voice of the Lord Breaks the Cedars"), to shaking mountains in [Psalm 29:6](/psalms/29-6 "Psalm 29:6 - The Voice of the Lord Makes Lebanon Skip"), and finally to the wilderness in verse 8. This progression demonstrates the escalating and pervasive impact of God's power across different elements of the natural world, culminating in the trembling of the desert, before the psalm shifts to the worshipful response of those in His temple in [Psalm 29:9](/psalms/29-9 "Psalm 29:9 - The Voice of the Lord Makes the Deer Calve").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "wilderness of Kadesh" (often identified with Kadesh-barnea) was a significant geographical and historical location for ancient Israel. Situated in the northern Sinai Peninsula, it was a vast, arid, and desolate region, serving as a crucial waypoint during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings after the Exodus. It was here that Israel famously rebelled against God by refusing to enter the Promised Land, leading to forty years of wandering, as detailed in [Numbers 13](/numbers/13 "Numbers 13 - The Spies Sent Out") and [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel Rebels at Kadesh"). By specifying Kadesh, the psalmist grounds the abstract concept of divine power in a tangible, well-known, and historically charged location. This choice not only emphasizes the extent of God's power over even the most barren and seemingly uncontrollable places but also subtly reminds the audience of God's judgment and sovereignty over human disobedience, even in their most remote hideouts.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to the psalm's overarching themes of **Divine Power and Sovereignty**. God's "voice" is not merely sound but an active, creative, and destructive force that "shaketh"—causing to tremble, writhe, or travail—even the most formidable and desolate landscapes. This reinforces the biblical truth that God's power is unmatched by any earthly force, as seen in passages like [Job 37:5](/job/37-5 "Job 37:5 - God Thunders Wondrously"). Furthermore, the psalm highlights **God's Presence in Nature**. The storm, and specifically the shaking of the wilderness, serves as a dramatic revelation of God's glory and active involvement in His creation. Similar to the declaration in [Psalm 19:1](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory"), nature becomes a profound testament to the Creator's majesty, inspiring awe and worship. The trembling of Kadesh points to an active, present God who is intimately involved with, and sovereign over, every aspect of His creation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Voice (Hebrew, _qôwl'_):** (H6963) While often translated simply as "voice," *qôwl* in this context carries a much deeper theological weight. It refers not merely to an auditory sound but to the active, powerful utterance of God, akin to His creative word in Genesis 1 or His commanding voice at Sinai. It signifies God's authoritative decree, His irresistible command, and the manifestation of His inherent power. When *qôwl* is associated with thunder, as it is throughout Psalm 29, it evokes the terrifying and awe-inspiring presence of the divine.
* **Shaketh (Hebrew, _chûwl'_):** (H2342) Derived from the primitive root *chûwl* (or *chîl*), this verb means to twist or whirl, to writhe in pain, fear, or travail. It describes a violent, convulsive motion, far beyond a gentle sway. It is used elsewhere to describe the earth trembling at God's presence (cf. [Psalm 77:18](/psalms/77-18 "Psalm 77:18 - The Earth Trembled")), or a woman in labor (cf. [Isaiah 13:8](/isaiah/13-8 "Isaiah 13:8 - Travail of a Woman in Labor")). The repetition of "shaketh" emphasizes the intensity and certainty of the divine impact, suggesting a profound, almost seismic disturbance that causes the very landscape to contort in response to God's power.
* **Wilderness (Hebrew, _midbâr'_):** (H4057) This term refers to an arid, uncultivated, and often uninhabited region, a pasture where cattle are driven. In biblical thought, the wilderness is often a place of desolation, danger, and testing, but also a place where God reveals Himself and provides for His people. The fact that God's voice shakes the wilderness signifies that His power extends even to the most untamed, desolate, and seemingly uncontrollable parts of creation, asserting His absolute dominion over all realms.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness;":** This clause establishes the primary assertion of the verse: God's powerful utterance (His "voice," manifested as thunder) causes the vast, untamed desert to tremble violently. It introduces the universal scope of God's power, indicating that even the most desolate and resistant parts of creation are subject to His command. The shaking implies a profound, almost convulsive response of nature to its Creator.
* **"the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.":** This second clause reiterates and intensifies the first by specifying a particular wilderness—Kadesh. The repetition of the verb "shaketh" underscores the certainty and depth of the impact. By naming Kadesh, a significant historical and geographical location, the psalmist grounds the abstract concept of divine power in a tangible reality, demonstrating that God's authority is not merely theoretical but profoundly impacts specific, known places, including those associated with human failure and desolation.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 29:8 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Personification**, where the "wilderness" is depicted as actively "shaking" or "writhing" in response to the divine voice, imbuing the inanimate landscape with a sense of living, visceral reaction to God's power. This amplifies the awe-inspiring nature of the Lord's command. The psalm also utilizes **Repetition**, specifically of the phrase "the LORD shaketh the wilderness," which serves to emphasize and reinforce the central theme of God's irresistible power and the comprehensive reach of His authority. This repetition creates a rhythmic, almost incantatory effect, driving home the profound impact of the divine voice. Furthermore, the use of **Specific Naming** ("wilderness of Kadesh") transforms a general statement into a concrete, historically resonant declaration. This particularization makes God's power more immediate and relatable, connecting it to Israel's national memory and underscoring that no place, however remote or historically charged, is exempt from His sovereign influence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 29:8 serves as a profound theological statement on the absolute sovereignty and overwhelming power of God over all creation. It reveals a God who is not distant or detached but intimately involved in the physical world, whose very utterance can cause the earth to convulse. This verse underscores the biblical truth that God's power is not limited by human perception or the vastness of the natural world; rather, every element, from the mightiest mountains to the most desolate deserts, responds to His command. It calls humanity to a posture of awe and reverence, recognizing that the same God who commands the forces of nature also holds all of history and human destiny in His hands.

* [Job 37:4-5](/job/37-4-5 "Job 37:4-5 - God's Voice Thunders Wondrously")
* [Nahum 1:5](/nahum/1-5 "Nahum 1:5 - Mountains Tremble Before God")
* [Hebrews 12:26](/hebrews/12-26 "Hebrews 12:26 - God's Voice Shakes the Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 29:8 invites us to contemplate the sheer magnitude of God's power and to re-evaluate our own understanding of control and security. In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, this verse reminds us that there is a divine order, and a divine voice, that commands even the most untamed forces. It challenges us to move beyond a superficial acknowledgment of God's existence to a deep, reverential awe for His active presence and authority. If God's voice can shake the wilderness of Kadesh—a place of desolation and historical rebellion—then surely He is capable of bringing order, peace, and transformation to the "wildernesses" of our own lives, our communities, and our world. This perspective fosters humility, encouraging us to surrender our anxieties and trust in the One whose power is absolute and whose voice brings both judgment and salvation. It calls us to worship Him not just for His gentle mercies, but for His terrifying majesty.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does contemplating the raw power of God's "voice" as described in this verse impact your sense of security or vulnerability?**
* **What "wildernesses" in your own life or in the world around you seem untamable or beyond control? How does Psalms 29:8 speak to those areas?**
* **How can recognizing God's absolute sovereignty over creation deepen your worship and trust in Him?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "Kadesh" in this verse?**

Answer: The "wilderness of Kadesh" (Kadesh-barnea) holds significant historical and geographical importance for ancient Israel. It was a major oasis and stopping point for the Israelites during their forty years of wandering in the desert after the Exodus, as recounted in [Numbers 20:1](/numbers/20-1 "Numbers 20:1 - Israel at Kadesh"). It was also the site of a pivotal rebellion where the Israelites refused to enter the Promised Land due to fear, leading to divine judgment and extended wandering, as detailed in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel Rebels at Kadesh"). By specifically naming Kadesh, the psalmist emphasizes that God's power is not merely a general force but extends to concrete, historically significant locations, even those associated with human failure and desolation. It underscores that no place, however remote, barren, or burdened by past disobedience, is beyond the reach or unaffected by God's sovereign voice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 29:8, with its portrayal of God's voice shaking the wilderness, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "voice of the LORD" that commands creation is perfectly embodied in the Son, through whom all things were made and by whom all things are sustained, as affirmed in [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - All Things Created Through Christ") and [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things"). Just as the psalmist describes God's voice as a force that causes the wilderness to tremble, the Gospels record instances where Jesus's voice commanded the natural elements, calming storms with a word in [Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm") and demonstrating His divine authority over creation. Furthermore, the wilderness, often a place of testing and desolation, is where Jesus Himself was led by the Spirit to be tempted, as recounted in [Matthew 4:1](/matthew/4-1 "Matthew 4:1 - Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness"). In His victory over temptation in the wilderness, Jesus demonstrated His perfect obedience and the power of God's word to overcome the forces of darkness, transforming a place of spiritual vulnerability into a site of triumph. Ultimately, the shaking of the wilderness by God's voice foreshadows the new creation brought about by Christ's redemptive work. His voice will one day raise the dead, as promised in [John 5:28](/john/5-28 "John 5:28 - The Hour is Coming When All in Graves Will Hear His Voice"), and His final command will usher in a new heavens and a new earth, where all things are made new, as declared in [Revelation 21:5](/rev/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Make All Things New"), demonstrating the ultimate, transforming power of the divine voice in Christ.

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

Numbers 13:26

¶ And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.

Isaiah 13:13

Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

Psalms 18:7

Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.

Psalms 46:3

[Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled, [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Job 9:6

Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.

Joel 3:16

The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD [will be] the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Haggai 2:6

For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it [is] a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry [land];