Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 29:1

"Ascribe unto Jehovah, O ye sons of the mighty, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength." — Psalms 29:1 (ASV)

Give to the Lord - Ascribe to Yahweh; or, recognize Him as entitled to what is here ascribed to Him. The word cannot be understood, as we commonly understand it, to mean imparting to another, or granting to another what He does not currently possess - for God is always in possession of what is here ascribed to Him.

O you mighty - Margin, as in Hebrew, “you sons of the mighty.” The Hebrew word used here - אלים 'Êliym - is the plural form of one of the names of God - אל 'Êl. The word properly means “strong, mighty, a mighty one, a hero;” then, “strength, might, power;” and then it is applied to God as “the Mighty One,” the Almighty (Gesenius). In the plural form, the word means “mighty ones, heroes, gods”: (Exodus 15:11; Exodus 18:11; Daniel 11:36). The phrase “sons of the mighty” is used only here and in Psalms 89:6. The allusion is undoubtedly to the angels as being in an eminent sense the sons of God, or of the mighty ones; and they are referred to here under that appellation as being themselves endowed with power or strength.

Compare Psalms 103:20, Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength; margin: “mighty in strength.” In view of the wonderful exhibitions of God’s power in the storm - exhibitions far above the power of the most exalted of His creatures, the psalmist calls upon the angels, the most exalted of them, to acknowledge the existence of a power so much beyond their own.

Glory and strength - Majesty and might. Acknowledge Him as the God of glory, as endowed with power. That is, learn from the manifestations of the power evinced in the storm how great is the power and the glory of God.