Psalm 29 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 29 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Verse 2Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendor.
Verse 3The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters.
Verse 4The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
Verse 5The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
Verse 6He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
Verse 7The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
Verse 8The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
Verse 9The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, "Glory!"
Verse 10The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
Verse 11May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!
Devotion
In the past year we have witnessed unimaginable suffering and devastation through the waters of the tsunami and Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. There have been those who have attributed these tragedies to the action of our God. After all, doesn’t the Psalmist tell us “The voice of the LORD is upon the waters?”
Did God cause the death and destruction these storms brought? I don't believe so. But I do believe with all my heart that God has been there in the outpouring of concern, love, charity and relief work that was evident in so many areas following these tragic events.
Every step in my own faith journey has confirmed that God is working for peace, wholeness, justice and love. And God expects us, as followers, to do nothing less.
Prayer
God of all creation, we pray for those who suffered and lost so much last year. May we continue to look for ways to express your love to those in need. Amen.