Psalms 29:1

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 29:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Ascribe unto Jehovah, O ye sons of the mighty, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Ascribe unto Jehovah, O ye sons of the mighty, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength.
Psalms 29:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 29

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Ascribe unto Jehovah, O ye sons of the mighty, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, etc.] The Targum refers this to the angels, “give praise before the Lord, ye companies of angels, sons of the Mighty;” these are mighty ones, and excel all other creatures in strength; and are the sons of the Mighty, or of God; it is their duty and their business to glorify and to worship him and his Son Jesus Christ, as they do continually; but rather the princes and great men of the earth are here meant, who are so called, (<198201>Psalm 82:1,6,7 89:6,7 <460126>1 Corinthians 1:26); and these, as they receive much honour and glory, both from God and man; and because they are apt to seek their own glory, and ascribe too much to themselves, are called upon…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Trust in God is encouraged by the celebration of His mighty power as illustrated in His dominion over the natural world, in some of its most terrible and wonderful exhibitions. (Psa 29:1-11) Give--or, "ascribe" (Deu 32:3). mighty--or, "sons of the mighty" (Psa 89:6). Heavenly beings, as angels.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Give unto the Lord - Ascribe unto Yahweh; or, recognize Him as entitled to what is here ascribed to Him. The word cannot be understood, as it is commonly with us, to denote the imparting to another, or granting to another what he does not now possess - for God is always in possession of what is here ascribed to Him. O ye mighty - Margin, as in Hebrew, “ye sons of the mighty.” The Hebrew word used here - אלים 'Êliym - is the plural form of one of the names of God - אל 'Êl. The word means properly “strong, mighty, a mighty one, a hero;” then, “strength, might, power;” and then it is applied to God as “the Mighty One,” the Almighty. (“Gesenius.”) In the plural form, the word means “mighty…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Ye - Ye potentates and rulers of the earth. Glory - By an humble and thankful acknowledgment of it. Psalms 29:2”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“Ps 29 This nature hymn in praise of the Creator declares that the Lord holds all power over nature. God uses the same unsurpassed strength to care for his people. 29:1-2 The psalmist issues a call to honor the Lord for his power (cp. 96:7-8). • you heavenly beings: Angels or deities who, some believed, held special powers. The psalmist did not believe in other deities but called on people who thought they were real to look to the Lord as the only God.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Give: Psa 2:10-12, Psa 68:31-34, Psa 96:7-9; Isa 60:12; Jer 13:16-18; Rev 5:11-14 mighty: Heb. sons of the mighty Psalms 29:2”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The opening strophe calls upon the celestial spirits to praise Jahve; for a revelation of divine glory is in preparation, which, in its first movements, they are accounted worthy to behold, for the roots of everything that takes place in this world are in the invisible world. It is not the mighty of the earth, who are called in Psa 82:6 בּני עליון, but the angels, who are elsewhere called בּני אלהים (e.g., Job 2:1), that are here, as in Psa 89:7, called בּני אלים. Since אלים never means God, like אלהים (so that it could be rendered sons of the deity), but gods, Exo 15:11, Dan. 9:36, the expression בּני אלים must be translated as a double plural from בּן־אל, after the analogy of בּתּי כלאים,…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification