The Baptism Of Our Lord/Epiphany 1/Ordinary Time 1
Preaching
Hear My Voice
Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
(Occurs in all three cycles of the lectionary; see The Baptism Of Our Lord/Epiphany 1/Ordinary Time 1, Cycle A, and The Holy Trinity, Cycle B, for alternative approaches.)
It seems likely that this psalm was inspired by a storm. The psalmist hears the voice of the Lord "over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters" (v. 3). The imagery of a great storm also calls to mind the vast primeval storm that preceded the creation (Genesis 1:2). It is more than likely that the psalmist wants us to make those connections.
The psalm opens with an imperative section calling on all "heavenly beings" to give glory to God (vv. 1-2). This call to praise is repeated three times, each call becoming progressively longer. The "heavenly beings" called to praise are those supernatural creatures (angels?) who surround the Lord's throne.
"Glory" is an important word in this psalm, occurring in verses 1, 2, and 9. The basic sense of the word is "abundance," or "heaviness." A cloud, for instance, may be described as being "heavy" with rain.
When used of the Lord, the derived meaning of "glory" (kabod) has reference to splendor, majesty, magnificence. If we wanted to find a rendering in the vernacular, the idea of "reputation" comes close to the meaning of glory.
After the introductory call to praise, the psalm continues by giving reasons for praise (vv. 3-9). This is where the imagery of the storm becomes important. The thunder heard in the approaching storm is like the voice of God. Additional divine power is revealed in the lightning flash and in the wind that brings down the mighty cedar (v. 9). God is the great power in the world that gives and sustains life. God is able to defeat the chaos with storm-like power. For those who live through occasional encounters with chaos, this is good news.
The open heavens, the voice of God, and the imagery of water are also features in the narrative of Jesus' baptism. This explains the selection of Psalm 29 for The Baptism Of Our Lord Sunday. However, it is not these images alone that allow us to draw parallels between this storm and Jesus' baptism.
The voice of God that Jesus hears establishes and affirms his messianic identity. The voice reveals the direction and character of Jesus' ministry. Jesus emerges from the storm of baptism committed to this identity and the path it demands.
In the psalm, the voice of God in the storm affirms the identity of the gathered congregation as God's people. The psalmist sees in the great power unleashed in the storm the power needed to protect and sustain God's people, assuring them of their ability to achieve what God has called them to do. The God who speaks through the storm will attend to God's people, giving them strength and providing for them peace (v. 11).
-- J. E.
It seems likely that this psalm was inspired by a storm. The psalmist hears the voice of the Lord "over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters" (v. 3). The imagery of a great storm also calls to mind the vast primeval storm that preceded the creation (Genesis 1:2). It is more than likely that the psalmist wants us to make those connections.
The psalm opens with an imperative section calling on all "heavenly beings" to give glory to God (vv. 1-2). This call to praise is repeated three times, each call becoming progressively longer. The "heavenly beings" called to praise are those supernatural creatures (angels?) who surround the Lord's throne.
"Glory" is an important word in this psalm, occurring in verses 1, 2, and 9. The basic sense of the word is "abundance," or "heaviness." A cloud, for instance, may be described as being "heavy" with rain.
When used of the Lord, the derived meaning of "glory" (kabod) has reference to splendor, majesty, magnificence. If we wanted to find a rendering in the vernacular, the idea of "reputation" comes close to the meaning of glory.
After the introductory call to praise, the psalm continues by giving reasons for praise (vv. 3-9). This is where the imagery of the storm becomes important. The thunder heard in the approaching storm is like the voice of God. Additional divine power is revealed in the lightning flash and in the wind that brings down the mighty cedar (v. 9). God is the great power in the world that gives and sustains life. God is able to defeat the chaos with storm-like power. For those who live through occasional encounters with chaos, this is good news.
The open heavens, the voice of God, and the imagery of water are also features in the narrative of Jesus' baptism. This explains the selection of Psalm 29 for The Baptism Of Our Lord Sunday. However, it is not these images alone that allow us to draw parallels between this storm and Jesus' baptism.
The voice of God that Jesus hears establishes and affirms his messianic identity. The voice reveals the direction and character of Jesus' ministry. Jesus emerges from the storm of baptism committed to this identity and the path it demands.
In the psalm, the voice of God in the storm affirms the identity of the gathered congregation as God's people. The psalmist sees in the great power unleashed in the storm the power needed to protect and sustain God's people, assuring them of their ability to achieve what God has called them to do. The God who speaks through the storm will attend to God's people, giving them strength and providing for them peace (v. 11).
-- J. E.
