Psalm 29: 1-4, 9-10

The responsorial psalm for the Baptism of the Lord comes from Psalm 29, a hymn of praise that describes the LORD as sovereign over the heavens and the earth.

As we contemplate this psalm, notice how many times the psalmist repeats the Lord’s name. This has the effect of conveying that the Lord fills his heart and mind.

Give to the LORD, you sons of God, give to the LORD glory and praise,

The psalm begins with a call to praise, directed not to fellow humans as in most psalms, but to the benei elim (“sons of God”). This term refers to heavenly beings, such as angels or members of the divine assembly, emphasizing a cosmic scope of worship (Job 1:6, 2:1; Genesis 6:1–4; Deuteronomy 32:8; Psalm 82:1).

The imperative verb form here indicates that this is not an invitation but a command.

Give to the LORD the glory due his name; 

In Hebrew thought, a name reflects a person’s essence or character. God’s name signifies his divine nature — holy, eternal, and omnipotent — making him worthy of glory and praise.

adore the LORD in holy attire.

The literal translation of this Hebrew phrase is “in holy array.” This could refer to ceremonial attire (e.g. priestly garments worn as an expression of reverence), the worshiper’s inner purity, or the radiant majesty of God’s own presence.

In every interpretation, this phrase calls for worship that matches God’s grandeur.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters, the LORD, over vast waters.

God’s sovereignty is further manifested in the power God exercises over the forces of nature, as seen in how the voice of the LORD thunders over the waters. This is a description of the mighty primordial storm-god whose voice is the thunder itself, who in the beginning conquered the forces of chaos, characterized as ruthless, destructive water.

The voice of the LORD is mighty; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

“The voice of the LORD” appears seven times in Psalm 29, symbolizing God’s active, commanding presence. This is reminiscent of the creation account (Genesis 1:1-2:4a), in which God’s voice is itself creative power and divine splendor.

We pray this psalm today, on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, because on this occasion this mighty voice of the Father let itself be heard.

The God of glory thunders,

Thunder often serves as a theophany, a manifestation of God’s awe-inspiring power. It recalls God’s presence at Mount Sinai, where thunder and lightning accompanied his revelation (Exodus 19:16).

and in his temple all say, “Glory!”

The natural response to witnessing God’s power is to glorify Him. The temple could refer to not only the earthly temple in Jerusalem but also the cosmic temple of creation, where the entire universe — including the benei elim —acknowledges and proclaims God’s supreme authority.

This unites the divine assembly and creation itself in a universal act of worship.

The LORD is enthroned above the flood; 

This recalls God’s control over the waters, possibly alluding to the chaos of the primeval flood (Genesis 6-9).

Given that ancient Israel was surrounded by Canaanite cultures, this could also be an assertion of the LORD’s supremacy over Baal, the Canaanite storm and rain god.

The emphasis here is God’s supreme authority over creation, chaos, and judgment.

the LORD is enthroned as king forever.

Unlike earthly rulers whose reigns are temporary, God’s kingship is eternal.

His thunderous voice has silenced the forces of chaos, and now God reigns supreme forever as king of heaven and earth.