Psalm 29 describes a mighty storm sweeping over the land, and in every thunderclap hears “the voice of the Lord”: “The voice of the Lord is upon the waters, the God of majesty hath thundered.” It ends in peace: “The Lord will give strength to his people: the Lord will bless his people with peace.” The Church sings it on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. In the Douay-Rheims it is numbered Psalm 28. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.
Psalm 29 in the Douay-Rheims Bible
A psalm for David, at the finishing of the tabernacle. Bring to the Lord, O ye children of God: bring to the Lord the offspring of rams.
Bring to the Lord glory and honour: bring to the Lord glory to his name: adore ye the Lord in his holy court.
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of majesty hath thundered, The Lord is upon many waters.
The voice of the Lord is in power; the voice of the Lord in magnificence.
The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars: yea, the Lord shall break the cedars of Libanus.
And shall reduce them to pieces, as a calf of Libanus, and as the beloved son of unicorns.
The voice of the Lord divideth the flame of fire:
The voice of the Lord shaketh the desert: and the Lord shall shake the desert of Cades.
The voice of the Lord prepareth the stags: and he will discover the thick woods: and in his temple all shall speak his glory.
The Lord maketh the flood to dwell: and the Lord shall sit king for ever. The Lord will give strength to his people: the Lord will bless his people with peace.
Psalm 29 or Psalm 28?
The Douay-Rheims Bible follows the numbering of the Latin Vulgate and the Greek Septuagint, while most modern Bibles follow the Hebrew. So the Douay’s Psalm 28 is Psalm 29 in the New American Bible and other modern translations. In Latin the psalm begins Afferte Domino, filii Dei. See how many psalms are there?
What the psalm means
- Glory to God: “Bring to the Lord glory and honour… adore ye the Lord in his holy court.”
- The voice of the Lord seven times: over the waters, in power, breaking the cedars, dividing flames of fire, shaking the desert.
- The waters: Christians hear the Father’s voice over the Jordan at Jesus’ baptism: “This is my beloved Son.”
- God enthroned over the flood: “The Lord maketh the flood to dwell: and the Lord shall sit king for ever.”
- Strength and peace: the storm ends in blessing.
How the Church uses Psalm 29
- On the Baptism of the Lord: “The Lord will bless his people with peace.” See Baptism of the Lord.
- At Morning Prayer (Lauds) on Monday of Week I.
- During storms, as a prayer of trust in God’s power and peace.
A prayer with Psalm 29
Written for this page:
Lord, I give you glory and honor; I worship you in your holy splendor.
Your voice is over the waters, majestic and powerful.
Speak to me as you spoke at the Jordan, and remind me that I am your child.
Give strength to your people and bless us with peace. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Psalm 29 read on the Baptism of the Lord?
Because it speaks of “the voice of the Lord upon the waters,” fulfilled when the Father spoke over the Jordan at Jesus’ baptism.
Where is “The Lord will bless his people with peace”?
Psalm 29:11 (28:11 in the Douay-Rheims).
More psalms and prayers
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Psalm 28 (29), Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayer was written for this page.