Psalm 29 is the 29th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 28. In Latin, it is known as "Adferte Domino filii Dei".Parallel Latin/English Psalter / Psalmus 28 (29) medievalist.net The psalm attributes itself to David. It is a hymn, describing the advent of Yahweh in a storm.
The psalm forms a regular part of Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and Nonconformist Protestant liturgies.
Origin Psalm 29 is an example of an enthronement psalm wherein the supreme deity is described in theophanic terminology as taking his place of rulership. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, scholars like Charles and Emilie Grace Briggs argued that it "seems to belong to the Persian period subsequent to Nehemiah", that is, between 445 and 333 BCE.For the quote see For the date of Nehemiah, see For the end of the Persian period, see
However, more recent scholarship has undermined this conclusion; archaic language and content have been identified in the Psalm, akin to other early strata such as the Song of the Sea, befitting an early pre-exilic context. Cross opines that generations of scholars have firmly identified literary dependence on Canaanite mythology, particularly the Baal Cycle, and concludes on this basis that its present form is "no later than the 10th century BC." Similarly, Freedman cites "considerable scholarly sentiment" supporting a pre-monarchic provenance, and suggests that Psalm 29 may be dated as early the 12th century BCE, making it among the oldest portions of literature in the Hebrew Bible.
Theme
Uses Judaism Is the recited during Kabbalat Shabbat; in Ashkenazic, Hasidic and some Sephardic communities.The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 314 In other Sephardic communities, Kabbalat Shabbat begins with this Psalm. Is recited on Shabbat during the Torah service as when returning the Torah Scroll to the ark.The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 458 Is recited in some congregations before Maariv on Motzei Shabbat.The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 592 Is recited on the third day of Sukkot in some traditions.The Artscroll Tehillim, page 329 Is recited on Shavuot in some traditions. Verse 11 is part of Talmud Berachos 64a.The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 479 It is the final verse of Birkat Hamazon,The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 195 is recited during the prayers following Motzei Shabbat Maariv,The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 607 and is recited when opening the Hakafot on Simchat Torah.The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 759 In some communities, it is recited at the end of weekday maariv (along with Psalms 24 and 8) when maariv is recited after nightfall.Seder Avodat Yisrael.
Coptic Orthodox Church In the Agpeya, the Coptic Church's book of hours, this psalm is prayed in the office of Terce.
Book of Common Prayer In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the evening of the fifth day of the month.Church of England, Book of Common Prayer: The Psalter as printed by John Baskerville in 1762, pp. 196ff
Musical settings Heinrich Schütz wrote a setting of a metric paraphrase of Psalm 28 in German, "Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Gott, mein Hort", SWV 125, for the Becker Psalter, first published in 1628.
Text The following table shows the Hebrew text of the Psalm with vowels, alongside the Koine Greek text in the Septuagint and the English translation from the King James Version. Note that the meaning can slightly differ between these versions, as the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text come from different textual traditions.A 1917 translation directly from Hebrew to English by the Jewish Publication Society can be found here or here, and an 1844 translation directly from the Septuagint by L. C. L. Brenton can be found here. Both translations are in the public domain. In the Septuagint, this psalm is numbered Psalm 28. #HebrewEnglishGreek 1 (A Psalm of David.) Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. 3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. 5 The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. 7 The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire. 8 The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory. 10 The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever. 11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
Verse 2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.: King James Version The same words as verse 2b, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, arise in . These words form the title of a hymn by Irish clergyman John Samuel Bewley Monsell.Jubilate Hymns Ltd., O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, accessed 23 October 2021 Alexander Kirkpatrick comments that
Notes
References
External links
Mechon-mamre Text of Psalm 29 according to the 1928 Psalter A psalm of David. / Give to the LORD, you sons of God text and footnotes, usccb.org United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Psalm 25:1 introduction and text, biblestudytools.com Psalm 29 – The Voice of the LORD in the Storm enduringword.com Psalm 29 / Refrain: The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace. Church of England Psalm 29 at biblegateway.com Hymns for Psalm 29 hymnary.org Recordings of three Hebrew tunes to the entire psalm