Psalms 29:5

Main message

Psalm 29:5: The LORD’s voice breaks the cedars, even the cedars of Lebanon; the image magnifies divine power over what appears strong and enduring.

Meaning in context

Psalm 29:3–9 · The voice of the LORD in the storm — Verses 3–9 repeat the voice of the LORD through waters, thunder, cedars, mountains, fire and wilderness until all in the temple cry “Glory.”

Further teachings

Applications in daily life

1. 1

   Psalm 29:5

   The LORD’s voice breaks the cedars, even the cedars of Lebanon; the image magnifies divine power over what appears strong and enduring.

   Broken cedars do not authorize environmental destruction or violence against people symbolized as “proud” or “strong.”

Related Bible passages and resources

• Psalm 29 (complete chapter)

  Psalm 29 calls heavenly or mighty beings to ascribe glory and strength to the LORD, then portrays the LORD’s voice moving through a thunderstorm from the waters and Lebanon toward the wilderness. Cedars break, mountains skip, fire flashes, the wilderness shakes, and the whole temple answers, “Glory.” The closing verses confess the LORD enthroned as king and ask for strength and peace for his people. The storm is poetic theophany, not a weather forecast or permission to declare particular disasters direct punishment.

• Psalm 29:4

  Read the previous verse to preserve the movement.

• Psalm 29:6

  Continue with the next verse to preserve the movement.

• Study the Book of Psalms

  Keep the verse within Psalm 29’s movement from worship, through the storm-theophany, to kingship and peace.

Common misreadings

How to Apply Psalms 29:5

Meditate on Psalms 29:5 by reading it aloud each morning this week. Ask yourself how its message from Scripture applies to a current challenge you are facing. Write one specific step you will take today in response to its truth — and revisit that commitment at the end of the week.