This is a wonderful picture of a storm, viewed from the standpoint of one who is supremely conscious of Jehovah. The great name occurs oftener in this psalm than in any other in this first book, being found no less than eighteen times. Therein is discovered the key to the whole movement. Once the name suggestive of wonder-working might is used, "The God of glory thundereth," (v. 3). In this psalm is the gloom of the tempest, the clap of thunder, the flash of lightning, and terror on every side. From this outlook, all the sublimity and majesty are seen and the singer finds occasion for the highest form of praise in the presence of a storm which otherwise might have filled the heart with terror.
The exhibition of Jehovah's awesome power which is the basis of the opening call to praise. The LORD's voice is heard in the pealing of the thunder above the storm-clouds (v. 3~4); the storm bursts, it shatters the cedars and shakes the mountains in the far north (v. 5~6). The lightnings flash (v. 7); the deserts to the far south with their affrighted denizens tremble (v. 8~9); and over all resounds the chorus, Glory (v. 9 b). The seven times repeated voice of the Lord is like successive peals of thunder.
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