Psalms 104:32

KJV

He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.

KJV (with Strong's)

He looketh {H5027} on the earth {H776}, and it trembleth {H7460}: he toucheth {H5060} the hills {H2022}, and they smoke {H6225}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When he looks at the earth, it trembles; when he touches the mountains, they pour out smoke.

Berean Standard Bible

He looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smolder.

American Standard Version

Who looketh on the earth, and it trembleth; He toucheth the mountains, and they smoke.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 104:32 powerfully declares the immediate and overwhelming sovereignty of God over His creation. With a mere glance or touch, the very foundations of the earth respond to His divine will, demonstrating His effortless and absolute control. This verse serves as a profound affirmation of God's active presence and dynamic interaction with the world He meticulously designed, evoking a sense of awe at His unparalleled majesty and power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 104 is a magnificent hymn of praise, celebrating God as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. It beautifully echoes the creation narrative found in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"), detailing God's work in forming the heavens, earth, seas, and all living creatures. The psalm progresses through various aspects of creation—light, water, mountains, plants, animals, and humanity—highlighting God's wisdom and provision for all life. Verse 32, positioned near the psalm's conclusion, serves as a climactic declaration of God's ongoing, dynamic power, underscoring that the same God who intricately designed creation also wields immense, immediate authority over its most formidable elements, moving beyond the initial act of creation to His continuous, active involvement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, natural phenomena like earthquakes and volcanic activity were often attributed to the unpredictable whims of various gods or impersonal forces. However, for ancient Israel, these events were understood as direct manifestations of Yahweh's singular, sovereign power. This worldview contrasts sharply with polytheistic beliefs, emphasizing that the God of Israel is not merely one deity among many, nor is He confined to a specific domain; rather, He is the supreme Creator and Controller of all things. The imagery of smoking hills, in particular, would evoke powerful memories of God's dramatic appearance on [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Giving of the Law"), where the mountain "was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire" ([Exodus 19:18](/exodus/19-18 "Exodus 19:18 - Mount Sinai Smoking")). This cultural memory reinforced the idea of God's tangible, overwhelming presence and power.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 104:32 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **God's Omnipotence and Sovereignty**, unequivocally demonstrating His absolute power; His simple "look" causes the earth to "tremble," and His "touch" makes the hills "smoke," conveying an effortless display of divine strength far beyond human comprehension. This effortless command over creation also inspires **Awe and Reverence**, as the earth's profound reactions evoke a sense of holy fear and humility before the Creator's immense power and majesty. Furthermore, the imagery of smoking hills directly connects to the theme of **Divine Presence**, recalling the dramatic manifestations of God's glory, particularly at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Giving of the Law"), reinforcing that God's active presence is powerful enough to transform and affect the physical landscape itself, demonstrating His immanence and immediate control over His creation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Trembleth (Hebrew, _rāgaz'_):** This verb signifies agitation, quaking, or being stirred up, often associated with powerful emotional or physical reactions. In this context, it describes the earth's profound, immediate, and involuntary response to God's mere gaze, indicating that creation is not inert but alive and responsive to its Maker's presence. It conveys a deep, visceral reaction, not just a slight tremor, but a fundamental shaking.
* **Smoke (Hebrew, _‘āshan'_):** This vivid term frequently appears in the Old Testament to describe the visible manifestation of God's glory, judgment, or presence, often in conjunction with fire, storms, or theophany. It evokes images of a burning, active, and awe-inspiring divine encounter, reminiscent of the smoking mountain at Sinai. Here, it suggests an intense, almost volcanic reaction of the hills to God's touch, signifying His consuming power and holiness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He looketh on the earth":** This phrase emphasizes God's comprehensive and penetrating gaze. It is not a casual glance but an active, sovereign act of attention. God's awareness and focus alone are sufficient to initiate profound effects in the physical world, highlighting His omnipresence and the immediate efficacy of His will.
* **"and it trembleth":** The immediate consequence of God's gaze is the earth's trembling. This signifies the earth's inherent responsiveness and submission to its Creator. The trembling is not a sign of fear in a human sense, but a natural, involuntary reaction of a created entity to the overwhelming power and presence of its Maker, demonstrating His absolute control over its very foundations.
* **"he toucheth the hills":** This phrase implies a direct, intimate, yet effortless interaction. God's "touch" is not a laborious effort but a simple, potent act of contact. The hills, often symbols of stability and permanence, are shown to be utterly subject to His will, demonstrating that even the most formidable elements of creation are pliable in His hands.
* **"and they smoke":** The hills' response to God's touch is to smoke. This imagery evokes the powerful, often fiery, manifestations of God's presence, as seen on Mount Sinai. It suggests a transformation, a visible sign of divine power and holiness that consumes or activates the physical landscape, indicating a profound and immediate impact of God's immanent power.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 104:32 employs several powerful literary devices to convey God's immense power. **Anthropomorphism** is central, attributing human actions—"looketh" and "toucheth"—to God. This device makes God's interaction with creation relatable and emphasizes the directness and ease with which He exercises His power, even while acknowledging His transcendence. The verse also relies heavily on vivid **Imagery**, painting a picture of a responsive earth and smoking hills. This sensory language creates a powerful mental image of divine might, evoking a sense of awe and wonder. Furthermore, the structure demonstrates **Parallelism**, with the two clauses mirroring each other in structure and meaning ("He looketh... it trembleth" and "he toucheth... they smoke"). This reinforces the central message of God's effortless and immediate control over creation, presenting two distinct yet complementary illustrations of His sovereign power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly underscores God's active and immediate sovereignty over all creation, not merely as an initial act but as an ongoing reality. It portrays a God who is intimately involved with His world, whose mere attention or contact elicits a powerful and undeniable response from the physical realm. This highlights His transcendence—His being utterly distinct and superior to creation—while simultaneously affirming His immanence—His active presence within it. The trembling earth and smoking hills serve as potent symbols of divine power and holiness, echoing biblical narratives where God's presence is often accompanied by dramatic natural phenomena, reminding humanity of their utter dependence and His absolute authority.

* [Nahum 1:5](/nahum/1-5 "Nahum 1:5 - Mountains Quake Before Him")
* [Isaiah 64:1-2](/isaiah/64-1 "Isaiah 64:1-2 - Mountains Flow Down at Your Presence")
* [Psalm 33:9](/psalms/33-9 "Psalm 33:9 - For He Spoke, and It Came to Be")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 104:32 offers a profound and necessary reminder of God's unparalleled power and sovereign control in a world often perceived as chaotic, unpredictable, or beyond divine influence. For believers, this verse should cultivate a deep sense of trust and security. If God can cause the earth to tremble and mountains to smoke with a mere glance or touch, then no personal trial, global crisis, or seemingly insurmountable obstacle is beyond His capacity to manage or transform. This understanding should lead to a posture of humble worship, recognizing our smallness in comparison to such an awesome God, yet simultaneously experiencing the comfort of being under the care of One so mighty. It calls us to move beyond intellectual assent to God's power and to live in a state of continuous awe, allowing His majesty to shape our perspective on life, our challenges, and our ultimate hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the earth trembling and hills smoking challenge or expand your understanding of God's power?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to surrender control, trusting in the God who effortlessly commands creation?**
* **How can cultivating a deeper sense of awe and reverence for God's power transform your daily worship and prayer life?**
* **What practical steps can you take to remember God's sovereignty when faced with overwhelming circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply God is literally looking and touching the earth, or is it symbolic?**

Answer: While the language uses anthropomorphic terms ("looketh," "toucheth"), it is primarily symbolic and metaphorical, conveying profound theological truths about God's power and presence rather than describing a literal, physical interaction. God is Spirit ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - God Is Spirit")), and His actions are not limited by human physical constraints. The purpose of this anthropomorphism is to make God's immense power relatable and comprehensible to human understanding. It emphasizes the immediacy, effortlessness, and absolute efficacy of His divine will. Just as a king's mere word can command, so God's "look" or "touch" signifies His sovereign attention and the direct, undeniable impact of His will on creation. It underscores that creation is utterly responsive to its Maker, demonstrating His omnipresence and omnipotence ([Jeremiah 23:24](/jeremiah/23-24 "Jeremiah 23:24 - God Fills Heaven and Earth")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 104:32, with its vivid portrayal of God's effortless power over creation, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals that it was through Christ that "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). Therefore, the very "look" and "touch" that cause the earth to tremble and the hills to smoke are expressions of the power inherent in the Son, who upholds the universe by the word of His power ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things")). We see this divine authority manifest in Christ's earthly ministry when He commanded the wind and waves, and "they obeyed him" ([Mark 4:39-41](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")), demonstrating His dominion over the very elements that respond to the Father in Psalms 104:32. Ultimately, the power that causes creation to tremble before God is the same power that raised Christ from the dead, overcoming the chaos of sin and death, and promises a new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells ([Revelation 21:1](/rev/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - A New Heaven and a New Earth")). Thus, Psalms 104:32 points to the majestic power of God, fully embodied and revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the sovereign Lord of all creation and the author of our salvation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 144:5

Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

Exodus 19:18

And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

Psalms 97:4

His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.

Psalms 97:5

The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

Habakkuk 3:10

The mountains saw thee, [and] they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, [and] lifted up his hands on high.

Psalms 114:7

Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;

Isaiah 64:1

¶ Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,