Psalms 29:7
Psalms 29:7 in Multiple Translations
The voice of the LORD strikes with flames of fire.
The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
The voice of Jehovah cleaveth the flames of fire.
At the voice of the Lord flames of fire are seen.
The Lord's voice blazes out like lightning flashes.
The voice of the Lord deuideth the flames of sire.
The voice of Jehovah is hewing fiery flames,
The LORD’s voice strikes with flashes of lightning.
The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
And in my abundance I said: I shall never be moved.
Yahweh’s voice causes lightning to flash.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 29:7
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 29:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
קוֹל
יְהוָ֥ה
חֹצֵ֗ב
לַהֲב֥וֹת
אֵֽשׁ
קוֹל
qôwl
H6963
voice
N-ms
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
חֹצֵ֗ב
châtsab
H2672
to hew
V-Qal
לַהֲב֥וֹת
lehâbâh
H3852
flame
N-fp
אֵֽשׁ
ʼêsh
H784
fire
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 29:7
קוֹל
qôwl
H6963
"voice"
N-ms
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
חֹצֵ֗ב
châtsab
H2672
"to hew"
V-Qal
To hew means to cut or carve wood, stone, or other materials, like the skilled laborers who built Solomon's Temple in 1 Kings. This word is used to describe various tasks, from quarrying to engraving.
Definition: 1) to dig, cleave, divide, hew, make, cut out, dig out, cut down, quarry, hewer, mason 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hew out, dig 1a2) to hew 1a2a) stone 1a2b) wood 1a3) to hew in pieces (metaph.) 1a4) to divide, cleave 1b) (Niphal) to be cut, be hewn, be engraved 1c) (Hiphil) to hew into pieces, cut up into pieces 1d) (Pual) to be cut from, be hewn from
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: cut, dig, divide, grave, hew (out, -er), made, mason. See also: Deuteronomy 6:11; Nehemiah 9:25; Psalms 29:7.
לַהֲב֥וֹת
lehâbâh
H3852
"flame"
N-fp
This word refers to a flame or the tip of a weapon, like the head of a spear. It describes something sharp or pointed, often used in battle.
Definition: 1) flame 2) tip of weapon, point, head of spear
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: flame(-ming), head (of a spear). See also: Numbers 21:28; Isaiah 43:2; Psalms 29:7.
אֵֽשׁ
ʼêsh
H784
"fire"
N-cs
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.
Study Notes — Psalms 29:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 29:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 29:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 29:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 29:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 29:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 29:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 29:7
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 29:7
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 29:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 29:7
- Sermons on Psalms 29:7
Context — Ascribe Glory to the LORD
5The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
6He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7The voice of the LORD strikes with flames of fire.
8The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. 9The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in His temple all cry, “Glory!”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 77:18 | Your thunder resounded in the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. |
| 2 | Leviticus 10:2 | So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD. |
| 3 | Psalms 144:5–6 | Part Your heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, that they may smoke. Flash forth Your lightning and scatter them; shoot Your arrows and rout them. |
| 4 | 2 Kings 1:10–12 | Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. So the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. And the captain said to Elijah, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down at once!’” Again Elijah replied, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. |
| 5 | Job 37:3 | He unleashes His lightning beneath the whole sky and sends it to the ends of the earth. |
| 6 | Exodus 9:23 | So Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning struck the earth. So the LORD rained down hail upon the land of Egypt. |
| 7 | Job 38:35 | Can you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’? |
| 8 | Numbers 16:35 | And fire came forth from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense. |
Psalms 29:7 Summary
The voice of the LORD striking with flames of fire means that God's power is strong and can purify us, like a fire that burns away what is bad. This reminds us of God's holiness and power, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24, where He is described as a consuming fire. Just like a fire can refine and purify metals, God's power can refine and purify our hearts, as described in Isaiah 48:10 and Zechariah 13:9. By trusting in His power and judgment, we can reverence and respect Him, living a life that honors His name, as encouraged in Psalms 100:4-5 and Matthew 22:37-40.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the voice of the LORD to strike with flames of fire?
This phrase suggests the powerful and purifying judgment of God, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24, where God is described as a consuming fire, and in Hebrews 12:29, which reminds us that our God is a consuming fire.
Is this verse talking about a literal fire or a spiritual one?
While the Bible does describe literal fires sent by God, such as in Genesis 19:24, the context of Psalms 29:7 suggests a more spiritual or metaphorical fire, symbolizing God's power and judgment, similar to what is described in Isaiah 66:15-16.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
Psalms 29:7 is part of a larger description of God's power in nature, as seen in verses 5 and 9, where the voice of the LORD breaks cedars and twists oaks, demonstrating His authority over all creation.
What does this teach us about God's character?
This verse teaches us about God's mighty power and His ability to purify and judge, reminding us of His holiness and our need for reverence, as emphasized in Psalms 111:9 and Leviticus 11:44-45.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to experience the purifying flames of God's judgment, as described in Malachi 3:2-3?
- How can I reverence and respect God's powerful voice in my daily life, as encouraged in Psalms 95:6-7?
- In what ways can I trust in God's power and provision, even in the midst of challenges and uncertainty, as seen in Psalms 23:4 and Isaiah 43:2-3?
- What are some practical ways I can apply the lessons of God's power and judgment in my relationships and interactions with others, as taught in Matthew 5:48 and Colossians 3:12-14?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 29:7
The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire. Or "cutteth with flames of fire" (e); that is, the thunder breaks through the clouds with flames of fire, or lightning, as that is sometimes called,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 29:7
The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire. Divideth - Hebrew, heweth; i:e., heweth asunder all opponents with the forked lightnings (Psalms 29:5) (Gejer, Hengstenberg).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 29:7
Divideth, Heb. heweth out, i.e. it breaketh out of the clouds, and thereby makes way for the lightnings, which are suddenly dispersed over the face of the earth.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 29:7
Psalms 29:7 The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire. Ver. 7. The voice of the Lord divideth (Heb. cutteth out) the flames of fire] i.e. The lightniugs, which the thunder is said to strike, or cut out, because it causeth them to shoot and glide; it immediately followeth one flash, and goeth before another; dispersing and darting them hither and thither.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 29:7
(7) The voice . . .—Literally, the voice of Jehovah cleaving flames of fire. The word is used of hewingstone and wood (Isaiah 10:15). The reference to lightning in this verse is universally admitted, some even seeing an allusion to the brief and sudden flash in the single clause of which the sentence is composed. But the most various explanations are given of the image employed. One of these—that of beating out as from an anvil—may be set aside as clumsy and unworthy of the poet. But the comparison with Isaiah 51:9, and Hosea 6:5, where the same verb is used of God’s “judgments,” makes it possible that the lightnings here are regarded as “thought-executing fires,” and if language would allow, we might translate “hewing with flames of fire,” and illustrate by “And ever and anon some bright white shaft Burnt through the pine-tree roof, here burnt and there, As if God’s messenger through the close wood screen Plunged and replunged his weapon at a venture, Feeling for guilty thee and me.” : Pippa Passes.But this, though the usual ancient translation, is now generally rejected in favour of the allusion to “forked lightning,” as we call it, the ignes trisulci of Ovid, a natural metaphor by which to try to represent the “nimble stroke of quick cross-lightnings.” For the apparent physical mistake in making thunder the agent in producing the lightning, see Note on Psalms 29:5.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 29:7
Verse 7. Divideth the flames of fire.] The forked zigzag lightning is the cause of thunder; and in a thunder-storm these lightnings are variously dispersed, smiting houses, towers, trees, men, and cattle, in different places.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 29:7
7. divideth the flames of fire] Better, as in R.V., cleaveth the flames of fire; or, as in R.V. marg., heweth out flames of fire; a poetical description of the forked lightnings darting from the cloud.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 29:7
Divideth the flames of fire - Margin, “cutteth out.” The Hebrew word - חצב châtsab - means properly “to cut, to hew, to hew out;” as, for example, stones.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 29:7
7. Divideth the flames of fire—A poetical description of forked lightning, as if it were cleaved or split. The word frequently means hewing and splitting, as Isaiah 10:15.
Sermons on Psalms 29:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Only One Voice Matters in Your Storm by Carter Conlon | This sermon emphasizes the importance of listening to the voice of God in the midst of life's storms. It draws parallels to the story of Paul in Acts 27, highlighting the need to p |
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Thy Way Was in the Sea by T. Austin-Sparks | The video is a sermon about the way in which the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt and through the Red Sea. The speaker reflects on how he had previously written a song about |
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Moved by the Holy Ghost 1991 by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon reflects on encounters with remarkable women of faith throughout the speaker's life, from Catherine Booth to a modern-day anointed woman living in simplicity and devoti |
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(Youth Bible School 2007) a Holy Nation by Dean Taylor | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a personal realization about the changing nature of relationships and the breaking down of walls. He draws a parallel to the Scripture in Ep |
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Rekindling Holy Fire by Ralph Sexton | In this sermon, the preacher shares a powerful testimony of a man named Harold who was paralyzed but found joy and purpose in his life through his faith in God. Despite his physica |