Thor will be released this weekend at the movie theater.  It is a story about the god of thunder.  Thor, of comic fame, was sent to earth by his father Odin and learns his lesson.  Thunder and lightning do speak of power and greatness, but it is the LORD God who communicates his majesty through them as the following psalm shows:

Psalm 29

A psalm of David.

 ¹ Ascribe to the LORD, you heavenly beings,
   ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
² Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
   worship the LORD in the splendor of his^[a]holiness.

 ³ The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
   the God of glory thunders,
   the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
⁴ The voice of the LORD is powerful;
   the voice of the LORD is majestic.
⁵ The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
   the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
⁶ He makes Lebanon leap like a calf,
   Sirion^[b] like a young wild ox.
⁷ The voice of the LORD strikes
   with flashes of lightning.
⁸ The voice of the LORD shakes the desert;
   the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
⁹ The voice of the LORD twists the oaks^[c]
   and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

 ¹⁰ The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
   the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
¹¹ The LORD gives strength to his people;
   the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Questions

1. What word is repeated for emphasis in the first two verses?
2. How is God’s power over the chaotic disorder of the waters described?
3. In your own words describe how the extended metaphor of a storm passing is used by the psalmist.
4. How do you react to thunderstorms?
5. How might the movie Thor be used to draw people into conversation about God?