WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS

This psalm starts with a storm and ends in peace. It starts in heaven and ends on earth. Putting these two things together calls for a response; the Lord should be worshipped because of His power to initiate storms and to cause them to cease, whether they be natural or spiritual. It demonstrates too that in all storms the Lord is in control whether it be a thunder and lightning storm in Lebanon or a storm of some kind in personal life.

It would appear to be angels, mighty ones, who are addressed in the opening verse, and these are exhorted to give the Lord, Jehovah, the glory that is His due. The word ‘give’ is repeated three times and may convey reluctance in some upon the earth to acknowledge the voice of the Lord, while for angels the repetition is to encourage continued worship in heaven for the Lord’s acts of power on earth. Such worship should be spontaneous and enthusiastic. The psalmist describes a thunder storm gathering in the Mediterranean Sea, not of its own volition but under the direction of the God of glory. It is in obedience to His voice that natural phenomena occur and they demonstrate, in no uncertain way, His power, majesty and glory.

The character and effects of the storm, as it makes land fall in Lebanon and then moves south to blow itself out in the wilderness, are described for us in verses 4 to 9, each preceded by the phrase ‘the voice of the Lord’. The voice of the Lord is: powerful; full of majesty; breaks cedar trees; divides flames; shakes the wilderness; makes the hinds, in fright, give premature birth; and strips the forest bare. While all this is happening on earth the Lord sits in absolute control in heaven. He gives strength to endure the storm, and, at the end, blesses in the provision of peace. An appreciation of His power, glory and majesty should produce worship in the hearts of His people. To worship we must be clothed in the beautiful garments of holiness. In spiritual terms we draw near, embrace and kiss the Lord. This we should do continually without waiting for a storm to start or cease. We join with those seraphim and cry, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory’.