Questions: Why should we “give it up” for God? How powerful is his voice? What does this say about God? How does He relate to us?

“Read More” to pursue answers in the Psalms .

Lord, speak to me through your Spirit and your Word, your Body and your Blood;
that I might know you as you are, and manifest the image of Christ in this world,
and the world to come. Amen.

Psalms 29:1-11

Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty,

give unto the LORD glory and strength.

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name;

worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

These opening verses remind me of an emcee telling a crowd to “give it up for” an aspiring young comedian, either before or after their performance. In this case, of course, we are honoring God for what He is, not what He does. Still, David is rather acting like an emcee, in that he’s effectively standing on the side of the stage narrating the incredible works of God’s voice:

* The voice of the LORD [is] upon the waters

* the God of glory thundereth

* The voice of the LORD [is] powerful

* the voice of the LORD [is] full of majesty.

* The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars… maketh them also to skip like a calf

* The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.

* The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness

* The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests

God’s voice is powerful and majestic; greater than water and fire, forest and desert, spring and fall. David apparently considers this sufficient reason that:

in his temple doth every one speak of [his] glory.

But, what exactly is the Voice of the Lord? We’ve heard it as far back as Genesis 3. Is it the Voice which produces the Word in John 1* Is it merely a metaphor for God Himself? Or even as a metaphor, is it trying to emphasize the relational, interactive, personal connection God has with His creation? As well as the fact that — as king — when God speaks, everyone listens:

The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.

Yet, rather than removing him from the presence of His people, God’s sovereignty actually enables him to bless them directly:

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

Not much to add to that, except to say, “Lord, let thy Voice speak over me!”

Prayer

God, I stand in awe of your majesty and power. As a physicist, I see the manifold ways you speak in, through, and over all creation. As a marketeer, I marvel at the intricate interplay of human voices pursuing truth, connection, and dominion. Father, may I always listen foremost to your Voice — whether in my heart, in the Body, or in the World. Speak to me, speak through me, that all the earth speak of Your glory. Not mine. For Jesus sake, and in His name I pray, Amen.

About the Title:

Today’s title is in honor of Jo Polhammer and Ardith Berg, my long-suffering music teachers.