In this psalm of praise, the author celebrates the strength and power of voice. He calls on the angels to lift their voices in praise and he goes on to compare the power of God’s voice to that of a mighty storm – one that topples the cedars of Lebanon and strips the forest bare. Yet despite this potential for destruction, the psalmist’s hope is that God’s voice will be used to give strength and peace to God’s people.
The original Hebrew word used for peace here is “shalom,” translated as wholeness, completeness, or harmony. Shalom isn’t just about the absence of war or conflict, but about the interconnectedness of creation – about understanding that our well-being is tied to the well-being of our neighbor, our co-worker, our classmate, the stranger on the street, the environment, etc.
When you think of God’s voice, what words or messages do you imagine hearing? In what ways do you use your voice to bring destruction and in what ways do you use your voice to give strength and bring peace?
In prayer, give glory to God, offering praise for God’s power over all things and commit yourself to using your voice to bring harmony to your little corner in the world.
