Psalms
Chapter 29
This psalm calls on the mighty ones in heaven to give the LORD glory. It then describes the voice of the LORD as a great storm that sweeps in over the sea, snaps the cedars of Lebanon, shakes the desert, and strips the forests bare, while everyone in his temple cries out "Glory!" It closes with the LORD seated as King forever, giving his people strength and peace.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
1Give to the LORD, you mighty ones in heaven. Give the LORD glory and strength.
"O ye mighty" means the mighty beings in heaven, not human soldiers or rulers.
2Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
2Give the LORD the glory his name deserves. Worship the LORD in his beautiful holiness.
3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
3The voice of the LORD sounds over the waters. The God of glory thunders. The LORD sounds over the deep sea.
4The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
4The voice of the LORD is powerful. The voice of the LORD is full of majesty, like a great king.
5The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
5The voice of the LORD snaps the cedar trees. Yes, the LORD splits the tall cedars of Lebanon.
6He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
6He makes those mountains jump like a calf. Lebanon and Sirion leap like a young wild ox.
The KJV says "unicorn," but the Hebrew word means a wild ox, a large and powerful animal. Sirion is another name for Mount Hermon.
7The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
7The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of fire.
8The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
8The voice of the LORD shakes the desert. The LORD shakes the desert of Kadesh.
9The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
9The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare. In his temple everyone shouts, "Glory!"
"Discovereth the forests" does not mean finding them. It means uncovering them: the storm tears off the leaves and leaves the trees bare. "Hinds" are female deer, and "calve" means to give birth.
10The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.
10The LORD sits as king over the deep flood. Yes, the LORD sits as King forever.
11The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
11The LORD will give strength to his people. The LORD will bless his people with peace.
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