Chapter Twenty-Nine

The psalm belongs to David and is superscribed “at the dedication of the house.” By the latter should be understood the setting up of an altar on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, after the conclusion of the plague (2 Sam 24; 1 Chr 21).

Such an understanding of the superscription is consistent with the content of the psalm, in which it is said that the Lord punished David for his overconfidence in the immovability of his greatness and strength (Ps 29:7), but at his repentance “turned his mourning into joy” (Ps 29:12). The plague, moreover, was sent by God after David’s counting of his subjects, and in this counting was expressed David’s temporary intoxication with his own might and greatness, for which the Lord punished him.

I exalt You, O Lord, because You did not let me perish (2–4). Let all the holy ones join in my praise (5–6). I received greatness from You, but became overconfident, for which You, O Lord, punished me (8). I turned to You in prayer and You heard me; for this I will praise You forever (9–13).

Psalm 29:2. I will exalt You, O Lord, because You lifted me up and did not let my enemies triumph over me. “I will exalt You, O Lord”—is explained in v. 13, where David promises to praise the Lord eternally. “Did not let my enemies triumph over me”—it may be that David here meant neighboring nations who did not take advantage of this occasion of the people’s misfortune to attack them, and in this David saw God’s mercy toward him.

Psalm 29:4. O Lord! You brought my soul up from Hades and kept me alive, so that I would not go down to the grave. The plague sent by God upon the Hebrews could have touched even David himself. David even prayed to the Lord for this: since the plague was a consequence of his sin, let it fall upon him and his house. Such a humble prayer of David appeased God’s wrath and the plague ceased. David was filled with gratitude toward God.

Psalm 29:6. For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts for a lifetime: weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. “His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts for a lifetime.” David considered his deed before God a grave offense to Him, for which a severe and prolonged punishment ought to follow. The Lord, however, has shown mercy to him, and the punishment He sent, in its duration and consequences, is insignificant, a moment compared to those mercies with which the Lord always blessed him.

Psalm 29:7. And I said in my security: “I will never be moved. Psalm 29:8. By Your favor, O Lord, You established me as a mighty mountain; but when You hid Your face, I was terrified. The sin of David, for which the Lord punished him, consisted of the following. Having secured the borders of his state from enemies, intoxicated by military success and internal tranquility, he resolved to conduct a census of his subjects. An act in itself neutral became a crime before God due to the inner motives behind it: David fell into self-worship, forgot the Lord, to whom he owed his success in his victories. For this the Lord “hid His face,” sent punishment.

Psalm 29:10. “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the grave? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your truth? Psalm 29:11. Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; O Lord, be my helper. David prayed for mercy because his death, untimely demise, would deprive him of the opportunity to fulfill his purpose on earth—to praise and worship the Lord, which is impossible in Sheol.

Psalm 29:12. And You turned my mourning into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, “You removed my sackcloth”—the coarse and rough cloth worn to express sorrow. “And clothed me with joy”—by His mercy and cessation of the plague, He filled David with feelings of gladness.