Psalm 29:1–2

Footnotes

1. 1 Heb “sons of gods,” or “sons of God.” Though אֵלִים (’elim) is vocalized as a plural form (“gods”) in the , it is likely that the final mem is actually enclitic, rather than a plural marker. In this case one may read “God.” Some, following a Qumran text and the , also propose the phrase occurred in the original text of Deut 32:8. The phrase בְּנֵי אֵלִים (béney ’elim, “sons of gods” or “sons of God”) occurs only here and in Ps 89:6 (89:7 ). In Ps 89 the “sons of gods/God” are also called “the assembly of the holy ones” and “council of the holy ones.” The heavenly assembly, comprised of so-called “angels” and other supernatural beings, appears to be in view. See Job 5:1; 15:15 and Zech 14:5, where these supernatural beings are referred to as “holy ones.” In Canaanite mythological texts the divine council of the high god El is referred to as “the sons of El.” The OT apparently borrows the Canaanite phrase and applies it to the supernatural beings that surround the heavenly throne.
2. 2 Or “ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.”
3. 3 Heb “ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name.” The Hebrew term שֵׁם (shem, “name”) refers here to the Lord’s reputation. (The English term “name” is often used the same way.)
4. 4 That is, properly dressed for the occasion.