Bible Strands
Psalms 29:4
The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist declares Yahweh’s voice thundering over the waters in a context of divine sovereignty. The declaration addresses the assembly of Israel, emphasizing God’s supreme authority over nature and the covenant people.
The words — The Hebrew phrase בַּכֹּחַ (ba-kōaḥ) literally means “with strength,” and בַּהָדָר (ba-hādār) means “with majesty.” These terms modify קוֹל יְהוָה (qôl YHWH), “the voice of Yahweh,” to define its character.
The thread — This description of God’s voice parallels the thundering presence in Psalms 29:3 and the cedar-shattering power in Psalms 29:5. Similar themes of divine speech and mighty voice appear in Ezekiel 10:5, Psalms 33:9, and Psalms 68:33.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of God’s absolute authority rather than emotional response. It calls the reader to submit to the same sovereign power that commands creation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 10:5 The sound of the wings of the cherubim could be heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when He speaks.
- Psalms 33:9 For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.
- Psalms 68:33 to Him who rides upon the highest heavens of old; behold, His mighty voice resounds.
- Jeremiah 51:15 The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.
- Luke 4:36 All the people were overcome with amazement and asked one another, “What is this message? With authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”
- Isaiah 66:6 Hear the uproar from the city; listen to the voice from the temple! It is the voice of the LORD, repaying His enemies what they deserve!
- Luke 8:25 “Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”
- Job 40:9 Do you have an arm like God’s? Can you thunder with a voice like His?
- Job 26:11 The foundations of heaven quake, astounded at His rebuke.