The summary of Psalm 29:2 is that believers should give God the honor He deserves and bow humbly before Him in reverent submission.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array. (v.2) Psalm 29 was composed by David, who likely reigned as King of Israel from around 1010 B.C. to 970 B.C. In this verse, he exhorts worshipers to offer God the full splendor befitting His eternal majesty. The Hebrew word for “ascribe” can also be translated “give,” highlighting David’s call for believers to recognize the LORD’s worth. The command to enter His presence in “holy array” suggests reverence and purity, reflecting both outward expressions of respect and an inward submission of the heart. Such worship resonates with the repetitive style common in biblical poetry (Psalm 29:1-2, 93:1-3, 115:1, 136).
This verse also underscores the vital connection between acknowledging God’s name and bowing before Him in holy devotion. In ancient Israel, names revealed a person’s character and destiny. God’s name therefore encapsulates His divine nature—His righteousness, steadfast love, and unending power. David’s invitation to “worship the LORD” applies to all people, beckoning them to stand in awe of the One who is endlessly faithful (Psalm 36:5) and to align actions, thoughts, and intentions under His authority. In the New Testament, Jesus highlights this same posture of the soul in instructing His followers to worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24), indicating that true worship flows from a life conformed to God’s holiness.
Just as David led Israel in spiritual reflection, believers today can gather and express their devotion to the LORD from a place of reverence, clothed in hearts that seek to honor Him above all else. In doing so, they join a long tradition of exalting the Lord’s name, recognizing that He deserves the highest praise for His goodness, power, and mercy. Christ’s sacrifice further illuminates the majesty of this verse, for in Jesus believers see the fullness of God’s glory made manifest (John 1:14), and are invited to respond with lives dedicated to holy worship.
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Psalms 29:2 meaning
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array. (v.2) Psalm 29 was composed by David, who likely reigned as King of Israel from around 1010 B.C. to 970 B.C. In this verse, he exhorts worshipers to offer God the full splendor befitting His eternal majesty. The Hebrew word for “ascribe” can also be translated “give,” highlighting David’s call for believers to recognize the LORD’s worth. The command to enter His presence in “holy array” suggests reverence and purity, reflecting both outward expressions of respect and an inward submission of the heart. Such worship resonates with the repetitive style common in biblical poetry (Psalm 29:1-2, 93:1-3, 115:1, 136).
This verse also underscores the vital connection between acknowledging God’s name and bowing before Him in holy devotion. In ancient Israel, names revealed a person’s character and destiny. God’s name therefore encapsulates His divine nature—His righteousness, steadfast love, and unending power. David’s invitation to “worship the LORD” applies to all people, beckoning them to stand in awe of the One who is endlessly faithful (Psalm 36:5) and to align actions, thoughts, and intentions under His authority. In the New Testament, Jesus highlights this same posture of the soul in instructing His followers to worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24), indicating that true worship flows from a life conformed to God’s holiness.
Just as David led Israel in spiritual reflection, believers today can gather and express their devotion to the LORD from a place of reverence, clothed in hearts that seek to honor Him above all else. In doing so, they join a long tradition of exalting the Lord’s name, recognizing that He deserves the highest praise for His goodness, power, and mercy. Christ’s sacrifice further illuminates the majesty of this verse, for in Jesus believers see the fullness of God’s glory made manifest (John 1:14), and are invited to respond with lives dedicated to holy worship.