Single lesson
Psalm 29: Ascribe Glory to the LORD
Psalms 29:1–11
Psalm 29 is a song that calls hearers to give Yahweh the glory that belongs to him. It moves from a call to worship, to the power of Yahweh’s voice, and finishes with his kingship, strength and peace.
Before you teach
In this psalm, the focus stays on Yahweh. The song begins by calling the “sons of the mighty” to ascribe glory and strength to him and to worship him. Then it repeats what Yahweh’s voice does in waters, forests and wilderness, before ending with Yahweh as King forever who gives strength and peace to his people.
Describe the central teaching of Psalm 29: Ascribe Glory to the LORD, using two details from the reading. Psalm 29 teaches that Yahweh deserves glory, his voice is powerful and majestic, and he gives strength and peace to his people.
Welcome: Psalm 29: Ascribe Glory to the LORD
4 minIntroduce “Ascribe Glory to the LORD” and locate Psalms 29:1–11. Psalm 29 teaches that Yahweh deserves glory, his voice is powerful and majestic, and he gives strength and peace to his people. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Psalms 29:1, Psalms 29:6, Psalms 29:11
Read and explain the passage
8 minThe psalm opens with a command to “ascribe” to Yahweh glory and strength. This is a call to speak of Yahweh in a way that matches his glory. The next line says the glory is due to his name and calls people to worship Yahweh in holy array.
The song continues with Lebanon and Sirion skipping like a young animal, the wilderness of Kadesh shaking, deer calving, and forests stripped bare. These lines show wide-reaching effects. In Yahweh’s temple, everything says, “Glory!” That spoken response is the only word reported in the temple here.
The psalm ends by saying Yahweh sat enthroned at the Flood and sits as King forever. His kingship is presented as enduring. The final verse adds that Yahweh gives strength to his people and blesses his people with peace, so the song closes with both rule and blessing.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Ascribe Glory to the LORD”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Psalms 29:1, Psalms 29:2, Psalms 29:6, Psalms 29:8, Psalms 29:9, Psalms 29:10, Psalms 29:11
Discuss the details and their meaning
6 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What does the psalm say is due to Yahweh, and how are worshippers told to respond?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Psalm 29 teaches that Yahweh deserves glory, his voice is powerful and majestic, and he gives strength and peace to his people. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Psalms 29:1, Psalms 29:2, Psalms 29:3, Psalms 29:4, Psalms 29:5, Psalms 29:7, Psalms 29:8, Psalms 29:10, Psalms 29:11
Make and respond: Words and images response sheet
9 minWork on “Psalm 29: Ascribe Glory to the LORD: Words and images response sheet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Ascribe Glory to the LORD” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Psalms 29:1, Psalms 29:6, Psalms 29:11
Closing: return to Ascribe Glory to the LORD
3 minRevisit Psalms 29:1–11. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Ascribe Glory to the LORD and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Psalms 29:1, Psalms 29:6, Psalms 29:11
Questions to explore
What does the psalm say is due to Yahweh, and how are worshippers told to respond?
Look closely at the repeated word “ascribe” and the command to worship in the opening lines.
Psalms 29:1, Psalms 29:2
Which repeated phrase shapes the centre of the psalm, and what does it show about Yahweh?
List what Yahweh’s voice does in these verses, then notice the words “powerful” and “full of majesty”.
Psalms 29:3, Psalms 29:4, Psalms 29:5, Psalms 29:7, Psalms 29:8
How does the psalm move from Yahweh’s kingship to his people’s blessing?
Notice that the same Yahweh who sits as King forever is also the one who gives strength and peace.
Psalms 29:10, Psalms 29:11
Make, think or respond
Psalm 29: Ascribe Glory to the LORD: Words and images response sheet
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- coloured pencils or crayons
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “A repeated word or image”, “Its verse reference”, “What it expresses”.
- Read Psalms 29:1–11. Use “Ascribe Glory to the LORD” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Talk through your notes with an adult. Add a word, drawing or short quotation that helps you remember each part.
- Choose one image and add a short written response or a simple drawing. Explain how it connects with the passage.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Psalm 29: Ascribe Glory to the LORD connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, read the selected verses aloud, prepare the three panels and let them respond with drawings or a few words. Use Ascribe Glory to the LORD as the retelling prompt.
- For older children, add verse references to the response sheet and explain a connection between Ascribe Glory to the LORD and the final part of the reading.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Psalms 29:1–11. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Psalms 29
1 Ascribe to Yahweh, you sons of the mighty, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Worship Yahweh in holy array.
3 Yahweh’s voice is on the waters. The God of glory thunders, even Yahweh on many waters.
4 Yahweh’s voice is powerful. Yahweh’s voice is full of majesty.
5 Yahweh’s voice breaks the cedars. Yes, Yahweh breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young, wild ox.
7 Yahweh’s voice strikes with flashes of lightning.
8 Yahweh’s voice shakes the wilderness. Yahweh shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 Yahweh’s voice makes the deer calve, and strips the forests bare. In his temple everything says, “Glory!”
10 Yahweh sat enthroned at the Flood. Yes, Yahweh sits as King forever.
11 Yahweh will give strength to his people. Yahweh will bless his people with peace.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.