Psalm 29: Hashem's Voice/2

Psalm 29: Hashem's Voice

Exegetical Approaches

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Fierceness of God in Nature

The psalm highlights God's fierce and awesome power as evidenced by His controlling of natural phenomena.

Sources:Ibn EzraTehillim Second Commentary 29:3-11About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, opinion in RadakTehillim 29About R. David Kimchi, MalbimTehillim Beur HaInyan 29Tehillim Beur HaInyan 48:1About R. Meir Leibush Weiser,

Historical event?

Revelation at Sinai

The psalm reflects the fearsome atmosphere of the events surrounding the Revelation at Sinai.

Sources:Mekhilta DeRashbi Shemot19:16About Mekhilta DeRashbi Shemot, RashiTehillim 29:3-11About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, opinion in RadakTehillim 29About R. David Kimchi

Waters

Hashem's voice

Fear

Hewing fire

Midbar Kadesh

Mention of Flood

Victory Over Enemies

The images of the psalm are metaphors for the defeat of Israel's enemies, or perhaps a literal description of the demise of the nation's adversaries via some natural disaster.

Sources:RadakTehillim 29About R. David Kimchi, Hoil MosheTehillim 29About R. Moshe Yitzchak Ashkenazi

Historical Overview: Punishment and Restoration

The psalm metaphorically describes a historical pattern of deterioration from an ideal state, necessitating punishment and a revised ideal, itself doomed to failure. Only in Messianic times will the original ideal state be restored.

Sources:SfornoShiurei Sforno Tehillim 29About R. Ovadyah Sforno