Psalm 29 5

Psalm 29:5

ESV: The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.

KJV: The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.

NIV: The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

NKJV: The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars, Yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon.

NLT: The voice of the LORD splits the mighty cedars;
the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon.

Meaning

Psalm 29:5 describes the immense power of the LORD, whose voice—identified with the thunder in this psalm—is so mighty that it can shatter the grand and majestic cedars, specifically those from Lebanon. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty and unmatched strength over the mightiest elements of creation, symbolizing His ability to overcome all opposition and humble what is perceived as strongest or most secure.

Cross References

Context

Psalm 29 is a majestic hymn of praise, exhorting the heavenly beings, the "sons of God," to acknowledge the glory and strength of the LORD. It vividly portrays God's power as manifest through a grand thunderstorm. The psalm traces the progression of this storm from the sea across the northern mountains of Lebanon down to the wilderness of Kadesh, detailing sevenfold utterances of "the voice of the LORD" (thunder), each demonstrating a specific aspect of His awe-inspiring might. Verse 5 specifically focuses on the destructive capability of this divine voice, highlighting its absolute supremacy over even the most robust and symbolic elements of nature. Historically and culturally, this psalm powerfully asserts YHWH's exclusive control over meteorological phenomena, directly challenging the beliefs of the Canaanite polytheists who worshipped Baal as their storm god and supreme deity. By shattering the famed cedars of Lebanon, an icon of strength, durability, and a region often associated with Baal worship, YHWH’s supremacy over all purported gods and the entirety of creation is unequivocally proclaimed.

Word analysis

• The voice of the LORD: Hebrew: `qol YHWH` (קוֹל יְהוָה). "Voice" (qol) here is not merely an auditory sound but signifies the active, potent, and powerful utterance of God, often synonymous with thunder (as established throughout Ps 29). It embodies His divine manifestation and inherent authority. `YHWH` (the LORD) is the sacred covenant name of God, emphasizing His self-existent, faithful, and personal nature, making it clear that this overwhelming power belongs to the One True God.
• breaketh: Hebrew: `shavar` (שָׁבַר). This verb implies violent fracturing, shattering, crushing, or even tearing apart. It conveys a complete and decisive destruction rather than a mere bending or cracking. This suggests God's power is absolute and irresistible.
• the cedars: Hebrew: `arazim` (אֲרָזִים). These refer to the cedar trees, particularly known for their massive size, incredible strength, towering height, and longevity. In the ancient world, they symbolized endurance, pride, majesty, and unyielding power. They were considered almost indestructible by natural means.
• yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon: This phrase provides emphatic repetition, strengthening the assertion. It functions as synonymous parallelism, characteristic of Hebrew poetry, to heighten the intensity and certainty of the divine action. "Lebanon" (לְבָנוֹן) specifically names the mountain range renowned for these magnificent cedars, adding geographical precision and emphasizing that even the greatest and most formidable examples of strength are subject to God's breaking power. The choice of "Lebanon" may also carry a subtle polemical undertone, as Lebanon was a stronghold of Baal worship, suggesting YHWH's triumph over the domain attributed to the false god.

Commentary

Psalm 29:5 serves as a profound declaration of God's sovereign might. His voice, roaring as thunder across the skies, is not just a sound but an active force that utterly shatters the most enduring and magnificent creations on earth—the cedars of Lebanon. These trees, symbols of strength, pride, and humanly perceived invincibility, crumble before His presence. This vividly illustrates that no earthly power, no natural force, and no human pride or construct can stand against the Almighty LORD. It is a direct refutation of any competing claims to divine authority, particularly challenging the Canaanite storm-god Baal, whose domain over storms and nature is here wholly appropriated by YHWH. The repeated declaration emphasizes the certainty and totality of God's dominion, demonstrating that He effortlessly humbles the haughty and breaks what appears unbreakable, solidifying His unparalleled glory and supreme authority over all creation.

Bonus section

The anthropomorphism of "the voice of the LORD" for thunder serves to personalize divine power, making it an active and volitional manifestation rather than just a natural phenomenon. This psalm's structure, progressing the storm across a geographical sweep (sea, Lebanon, wilderness), emphasizes the universal reach of YHWH's authority. The sevenfold repetition of "the voice of the LORD" reinforces the idea of completeness and perfection in His power. This specific verse, by targeting the "cedars of Lebanon," which were prized for building materials and symbolized enduring strength, highlights God's ability to dismantle even the grandest and most established symbols of earthly power or human achievement. It subtly points to how God can break down spiritual strongholds and humble any opposition that appears formidable.

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