The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars, yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire. (Psalm 29:5-6)
There is a forest in northern Israel where tall cedars grow very lofty. Several times in Scripture these cedars of Lebanon are referred to in order to convey the imagery of strength, influence and might. That being so, some Jewish commentators interpret David’s words here to mean that, in the day when God’s voice shakes heaven and earth, the mighty men of the earth will be broken, especially those who are opposed to Israel.
There is Biblical precedent for this understanding not too far removed from David’s time. In the days of Samuel the Bible says, “The Lord thundered with a loud voice upon the Philistines and so confused them that they were overcome before Israel” (1 Samuel 7:10). Looking ahead, Isaiah prophesied that, “Through the voice of the Lord, Assyria will be beaten down” (Isaiah 30:31).
David also alludes to the voice of God being as fire; something that other writers also speak of. In fact, other versions of the Bible translate this same verse to say, “The voice of the Lord flashes flames of fire” (CSB) or “strikes with flashes of lightning” (NIV). The Bible also speaks to the fact that His voice, manifesting as fire, is capable of bringing life or destruction depending upon those who are hearing it. At Mount Sinai, His voice is described in rabbinical commentary as being divided (cloven) into seventy tongues of fire so that every nation could hear His commands. To those who received them it was life; to those who rejected His Word, it meant death and destruction. God told Jeremiah that, “I will make My words in your mouth fire, and this people wood and it shall devour them” (Jeremiah 5:14).
The point should be obvious — the voice of the Almighty is far more powerful and majestic than any man, any kingdom or any force in this world. Everything that exists came into being because of His word, and so, He can sustain or He can shatter with the sound of His voice. But let us also remember that, as was told to Elijah the prophet, sometimes He is not in the wind or the earthquake or the fire, but in a still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-12). It is important that we are able to discern that voice in our spirit for that is the voice that leads and directs our life in accordance with His will. In other words, that is the voice we want to hear — not the voice that breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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