Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 29:1-2)
There is reason to believe that this is the psalm David delivered “into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, to thank the Lord” (1 Chronicles 16:7) when he brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem and placed it in the tabernacle that he had built. If you compare these two verses with 1 Chronicles 16:28-29, you will easily see the similarities. All of that is to say that this song was composed during a time of great celebration and expectation — the LORD’s Presence, represented by the Ark, was in the place where He had set His Name, according to what He had told Moses long before. As it is written:
“When you cross over the Jordan and dwell in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to inherit … there will be the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide. There you shall bring all that I command you … and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 12:10-12)
This was the beginning of a process that would culminate in the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. So in some ways, this psalm commemorates the inauguration of the Temple, God’s permanent abode in Jerusalem. No wonder David was excited and inspired to compose this psalm of praise and thanksgiving. Not only was he inspired to worship, but he called upon all — especially those who possessed might and honor among the people of Jerusalem — to devote (or submit) their glory to the One who is above all.
It is as if he were encouraging the people to recognize that someone of greater honor and authority had entered the city, and in acknowledgment, the people great and small, were to prostrate themselves before Him. In fact, the word translated as “worship” means just that — “to bow down, to prostrate oneself.” Obviously, a greater and more honorable Presence had entered the city — there is none higher — and thus David called upon the people to recognize that the King of Kings was in their midst.
The Body of Messiah would do well to rekindle the honor and reverence for God that David promoted as he led the people of Jerusalem in worship that day. Too many times, we forget that our loving, merciful, Heavenly Father is also the Great I Am and, therefore, worthy of all glory, all honor and our complete respect. None of us are so important and influential that we should feel permitted to withhold from the LORD what is due Him. In that light, it seems fitting to remember that “God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty … that no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Corinthians 1:27, 29). So then, to all who are considered mighty and to all who are considered lowly; let us all give unto the LORD what only He is entitled to — loving and devoted worship submitted in humble acknowledgment of His Greatness.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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