Crying “Glory” in the Storm (Psalm 29)
On the first Saturday and Sunday of May, Nashville experienced an unprecedented storm where we received 1/4 of our annual rainfall in two days. The resultant floods were devastating for many and crippling to the economy. One only need to look at the pictures and videos present on the internet to understand that this was Middle Tennessee’s worst disaster since the Civil War. Our hearts, hands, prayers and money go out to those who are hurting during this time.
As I began to think about what Psalm I would open for my Woodmont Hills Family of God class on the second Sunday in May–yesterday, the week immediately following the storm–I chose Psalm 29. On the one hand it may seem a bit bold to think about this Psalm in the wake of such flood devastation and community lament, but on the other hand it is a Psalm that recognizes the “voice of the Lord” in the storm, the presence of God in the midst of the storm.
The Psalmist uses the phrase “voice of the Lord” seven times in the hymn of praise that is the center of the Psalm (vv. 3-9). This is not an insignificant number in the symbolic numerology of Israel. Completeness? Yes, probably. Yahweh controls everything? Yes, seemingly. God is present in his creation, even in the storm, seven days a week? Sounds good to me. God speaks through the creation, even the thunderstorm, even the torrential rains. The heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1) and so does the thunderstorm.
Israel watches the thunderstorm arise from the horizons of the Mediterrean Sea (v.3) and watches it break the cedars of Lebanon and cross over Mt. Hermon (Sirion) like a playful animal (v. 6). The cedars are not so strong as to resist the power of God nor is the highest mountain in Palestine too large to hinder the storm. Neither is the desert south of Israel in Kadesh too vast to tremble with the sound of Yahweh’s voice.
This point is even more significant when we recognize the polemic in the Psalm. Baal was the God of the storm in ancient Palestinian religion. Baal brought the rain, thunder and lightning. But Israel confesses that that they hear the voice of Yahweh in the storm, not Baal. Yahweh is the God of Palestine as well as the whole world. It is their God, their covenant God, who speaks, and Yahweh is committed to Israel in faithful love.
Israel does not fear the storm but they listen to the voice of God in it. Consequently, Israel worships. The hymn of praise is what Israel sings in the temple; it is the praise to which the Psalmist calls the assembly (vv.1-2). Israel worships amidst the sounds of thunder and the flashes of lightning.
I remember as a child that the thunderstorm was always a frightening event for me. It was not that I was afraid of the house collaspsing or death, but rather I was afraid that the Jesus was returning and my childhood conception of God somehow turned that hope into fear.
But for Israel the thunderstorm is assurance rather than fear. God’s voice in the thunderstorm announces his reign(though not only in thunderstorms, of course). God asserts his power and majesty. The glory of God is displayed in it. Israel trusts the God who comes to them in the thunderstorm.
The last two verses of the Psalm reflect this theme (vv.10-11). Israel confesses that God reigns, enthroned over the flood waters. The waters do not dethrone God but rather God reigns over the flood. And Israel does not fear but rests in God’s gracious care and intent. Yahweh will give Israel “strength” and bless it with “peace.”
Peace in the midst of the storm? Strength through the storm? This is Yahweh’s blessing. I have seen it on the faces and heard in the voices of those who have lost much and some everything. God was not absent in the storm but present in the storm to give strength and peace.
The constant torrential rains were amazing to witness. They were awe-inspiring though, at the same time, ominus. They were wondrous but also threatening. The thundestorm was powerful and majestic.
Whose voice spoke? How did we hear it? How do we respond?
With Israel, we confess that we hear the voice of Yahweh in the storm. With Israel, we hear that voice with awe and assurance. With Israel, we cry in our assemblies “Glory!” (v. 9).
Certainly, we lament the hurt and pain. We use our hands in service. We open our wallets to help.
And at the same time we cry “Glory!” in the assembly of God’s people.
May 10th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Powerful. Years ago I heard Neil Lightfoot talk about this Psalm, and I’ve loved it ever since. Thank you for sharing this.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
May 11th, 2010 at 11:17 am
Just as with Israel, it takes faith on to see where God is at in the storm. I was in the gulf region of Mississippi about a year after Hurricane Katrina. The destruction the storm caused was still very evident. But listening to this church, many of whom were rebuilding their homes after losing everything, was a world of difference from what one would hear on the news. The news media only saw how much pain and destruction have been caused. While the church was not oblivious or dismissive of such pain and damage, they also saw God in all the mess through the way people lended their hands and wallets in loving service to those suffering.
Grace and peace,
Rex
May 11th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Very comforting and faith-affirming, John Mark. Thanks. I’ve linked it to my Family Fountain blog today.
June 1st, 2010 at 5:55 pm
I too live in the Nashville area. Sunday, May 2nd was a day I’ll never forget just like April 7th, 2006. But while I was reading your sermon something occurred to me that makes me compare our disaster to that of the Northridge, CA earthquake in 1994, hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2006 (I think it was), and 9-11. Do you see the pattern? Northridge being the pornography center of the world – my understanding is that New Orleans is like ‘Sodom and Gomorrah’ – the twin towers represented our financial center, and now the Nashville Opry House and Hotel being the music city of the world. Yes, God is speaking to us but is anyone listening? Is anyone actually hearing Him?
June 2nd, 2010 at 6:33 am
I don’t think we are any position to interpret such events. I hesitate to identify causes since I don’t think we can see such things from our perspective…and even if we did, there are more causes we could identify than what you suggest which would include myself.
I would suggest that our response is one of service, love and opportunity to bear witness to the grace of God. The enthroned God will bless his people and give them strength…even in the midst of the storm–no matter the rationale, origin or source of the storm.
June 1st, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Has long been one of my favorite Psalms. Even in the “storm” of divorce it remained one that spoke to me.
June 2nd, 2010 at 8:02 pm
If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don’t love them; if you love your children, you will be prompt to discipline them. Proverbs 13:24 (NLT)