Psalm 29:9

Psalm 29:9  

The oaks of Bashan

     It is good to stop here for a moment and ask why David is using these metaphors to describe the power and glory of God. So far, we have witnessed the voice of the Lord thundering over the waters, breaking the cedars of Lebanon and flashing like lightning and shaking the desert. Bashan, to the north and east of Galilee, was as famous for its mighty oaks as Lebanon was for its cedars, and here Bashan also gets the full treatment of the sound of the mighty voice of the Lord. Again, and again David uses these symbols of power and majesty to draw our attention to an even greater power and force in the world – the voice of the Lord. It is done, surely, to remind us of our weakness and vulnerability and to reveal the contrasting power of Almighty God. All He has to do is to speak and all created things tremble. Isaiah captures this perfectly. 

“The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled), for all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty, and all the oaks of Bashan, for all the towering mountains and all the high hills, for every lofty tower and every fortified wall, for every trading ship and every stately vessel. The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day, and the idols will totally disappear.” Isaiah 2: 12-18. 

Many commentators believe that when the Psalm says that “In His temple all cry “Glory!”” David is literally referring to the temple of creation for there was no other at the time. All living things shout God’s praise as they respond to His presence. All living things that is, except mankind!

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