When God Speaks

While reading through Psalm 28 and 29, I was struck by the contrast between David's voice crying out for God to hear him in Psalm 28, and his amazing description of the power of God's voice in Psalm 29.  It certainly gives one pause.  

In Psalm 28, David says in verses 1-2,6:

Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. 

Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle. 

Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. 

David's voice is a cry, a plea, a supplication for God to hear him,and he speaks from the position of weakness and need.

In great contrast, Psalm 29 starts by reminding the mighty (the sons of God or angels) that He is above them. David also reminds us in verse 2 of the need to enter God's presence in the beauty of holiness.  Then the psalmist begins to describe the voice of God.  

Upon reading this Psalm describing the voice of God "breaking the cedars of Lebanon" and His voice thundering one is tempted to think that God's voice is loud and ear-shattering.  But on a closer look, we see David is describing the power and strength behind God's voice, not the decibel.

I am reminded of the "still small voice" of God described in 1 Kings 19 when He was speaking to Elijah. While God can and may, if He chooses, speak loudly, it is not necessary, because His very words carry all the power and authority necessary to perform any task. There is no need for Him to shout. It is for us to hush our hearts to hear to Him. 

This hymn written by Carl Buck, a poem based on Psalm 29, says it well. 

When God speaks, the high mountains tremble;

When God speaks, the loud billows roll;

When God speaks, my heart falls to listening,

And there is response in my soul.

When God speaks, the angels obey Him;

When God speaks, all nature is stirred;

When God speaks, the hard hearts are softened,

For no sweeter voice e’er was heard.

When God speaks, the sad hush their crying;

When God speaks, the weary find rest;

When God speaks in sweet tones of comfort,

With infinite peace I am blessed.

When God speaks, ‘tis mine then to answer,

When God speaks, my tempest to still;

When God speaks, ‘tis mine then to follow,

And, following Him, do His will.

Speak to my heart!

Speak now, I pray,

God of salvation, and Lord of Creation,

Oh, speak to my heart today!

—Carlton C. Buck

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