The Meaning of Psalms 29:1 Explained

Psalms 29:1

KJV: {A Psalm of David.} Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

YLT: A Psalm of David. Ascribe to Jehovah, ye sons of the mighty, Ascribe to Jehovah honour and strength.

Darby: {A Psalm of David.} Give unto Jehovah, ye sons of the mighty ones, give unto Jehovah glory and strength;

ASV: Ascribe unto Jehovah, O ye sons of the mighty, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{A Psalm  of David.  }} Give  unto the LORD,  O ye mighty,  give  unto the LORD  glory  and strength. 

What does Psalms 29:1 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalm 29:1-11 - Peace After Storm
This is a perfect specimen of Hebrew poetry, describing the march of a thunder-storm over Palestine from north to south.
The prelude, Psalms 29:1-2, is addressed to the angelic hosts, who stand above the tumult of earth and sky. Heaven is viewed as a temple in which the angels are the priests.
The storm, Psalms 29:3-9. The many waters are the Mediterranean. The tempest breaks first on the Lebanon, the cedars of which sway to and fro before its fury. Each thunder-clap is accompanied by forked lightning. The storm passes to Kadesh and the rock-hewn cities of Petra. The beasts are terror-stricken; the trees are stripped of their leafy dress. In the Temple the worshipers respond to the challenge of nature! Glory to the King! The voice of the Lord is mentioned seven times. Compare Revelation 10:3.
The conclusion, Psalms 29:10-11. This God is our God, and will give us strength and peace. The psalm begins with "glory in the highest" and ends with "peace on earth." [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 29

1  David exhorts princes to give glory to God
3  by reason of is power
11  and protection of his people

What do the individual words in Psalms 29:1 mean?

A Psalm of David Give unto Yahweh sons you mighty ones unto Yahweh glory and strength
מִזְמ֗וֹר לְדָ֫וִ֥ד הָב֣וּ לַֽ֭יהוָה בְּנֵ֣י אֵלִ֑ים לַ֝יהוָ֗ה כָּב֥וֹד וָעֹֽז

מִזְמ֗וֹר  A  Psalm 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִזְמֹור  
Sense: melody, psalm.
לְדָ֫וִ֥ד  of  David 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
הָב֣וּ  Give 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: הַב 
Sense: to give, provide, ascribe, come.
לַֽ֭יהוָה  unto  Yahweh 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
בְּנֵ֣י  sons 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
אֵלִ֑ים  you  mighty  ones 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֵל 
Sense: god, god-like one, mighty one.
לַ֝יהוָ֗ה  unto  Yahweh 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
כָּב֥וֹד  glory 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: כָּבֹוד  
Sense: glory, honour, glorious, abundance.
וָעֹֽז  and  strength 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֹז  
Sense: might, strength.