The Jesus Bible Reading PlanНамуна

THE GLORY DUE HIS NAME

Psalm 29 calls upon the “heavenly beings” (presumably angels) to acknowledge and attest to the awesomeness of God (vv. 1 – 2). This style was common among the Canaanites who envisioned heavenly beings as a council of gods worshiping Baal.

It is likely that the psalmist used this form in order to subvert the pagan concept and thus set the Lord apart from all other gods. The Lord, as the psalmist declared, is worthy of praise because of his power and majesty, and no other god is like him (v. 4). Ascribing glory to God involves reveling in his many attributes and actions, admiring them and agreeing with the truths about God. Here the psalmist focused on “the voice of the LORD” and used the refrain seven times to paint a complete picture of God’s power (vv. 3 – 9). Furthermore, he proclaimed the unique omnipotence of the Lord who created the flood and who is King of the world (v. 10). This is the God who alone is able to give strength to his people and bless them with peace (v. 11), a God to whom the ascription of glory is surely due!

The New Testament paints a similar picture of Jesus commanding angels and receiving honor and glory and power (Mt 24:31; Rev 5:13). Jesus is the one to whom the final glory is given as he is seated at God’s “right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion” (Eph 1:20 – 21). It is to Jesus that the church now cries, “Glory!”

Jesus, I want my every footstep, my every word, my every action, my every thought, my every breath to give you glory. Amen.