The Voice of the Lord

Tehillim 29 is the chapter of Tehillim that we recite in shul on Shabbat morning when we return the Sefer Torah to the Aron HaKodesh. In some communities (sometimes including our own) it is sung out loud by the congregation, a hymn of triumphant praise to the God who created the world with ten utterances. Indeed, the constant repetition of the phrase kol Hashem does rather echo the opening pasukim of parashat Bereishit. 

Max Stern set this psalm to music back in 1993 with the title 'Seven Voices of the Divine' and he has shared with us a recording of it that was made in Prague in 1999. The words are sung by soprano Kristyna Valouskova, accompanied by the Talich Chamber Orchestra.

The kol Hashem is depicted here by reference to the seven qualities identified by David HaMelech (1. Upon the waters; 2. Powerful; 3. Full of majesty; 4. Breaketh cedars; 5. Heweth flames of fire; 6. Shaketh the wilderness: 7. Maketh hinds to calve).

You can listen to Max's piece here.