Psalms 104:32

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

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

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

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

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

Psalms 104:32 vividly portrays the overwhelming power and majesty of God over all creation. This verse serves as a powerful declaration of His sovereign control, where His mere presence or attention causes profound reactions in the natural world.

Context

Psalm 104 is a magnificent hymn of praise to God as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. It beautifully parallels the creation account in Genesis 1, detailing God's work in forming the heavens, earth, seas, and all living creatures. The psalm celebrates God's wisdom and provision for all life, from the smallest animals to the largest celestial bodies. Verse 32, placed within this grand narrative, underscores that the same God who intricately designed creation also wields immense, immediate power over its most formidable elements. It highlights His active involvement and supreme authority, moving beyond the initial act of creation to His ongoing, dynamic interaction with the world He made.

Key Themes

  • God's Omnipotence and Sovereignty: The verse unequivocally demonstrates God's absolute power. His simple "look" causes the earth to "tremble," and His "touch" makes the hills "smoke." This imagery conveys an effortless display of divine strength, far beyond human comprehension or control. It speaks to a God who is not distant but intimately connected and supremely powerful over every aspect of His creation.
  • Awe and Reverence: The reactions of the earth and hills (trembling and smoking) evoke a sense of profound awe and holy fear. This is not a fear of terror, but a deep reverence for the Creator's immense power and majesty. It calls for humility and worship in the face of such an awesome God, who can command the very foundations of the earth with a glance.
  • Divine Presence: The imagery of smoking hills often recalls the dramatic manifestation of God's presence on Mount Sinai, where the mountain "was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire." This connection reinforces the idea that God's active presence is powerful enough to transform and affect the physical landscape itself.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "trembleth" (רָגַז - ragaz) implies agitation, quaking, or being stirred up, often associated with powerful emotional or physical reactions. It suggests a profound and immediate response to divine authority. "Smoke" (עָשַׁן - ashan) is a vivid term, frequently used in the Old Testament to describe the visible manifestation of God's glory or judgment, particularly in conjunction with fire or storms. Together, these words paint a picture of a living, responsive creation under the direct and powerful sway of its Maker.

Related Scriptures

The concept of the earth trembling or mountains smoking at God's presence is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing His majesty. For example, Nahum 1:5 states, "The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence." Similarly, Isaiah 64:1-2 speaks of God making the mountains tremble. This power is also evident in Psalm 33:9, which declares, "For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." These verses collectively affirm God's absolute control over the physical world.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 104:32 offers profound reassurance and a call to worship. In a world often perceived as chaotic or beyond control, this verse reminds us that an all-powerful God sovereignly oversees every detail. It should inspire:

  • Trust: If God can make the earth tremble and mountains smoke with a mere look or touch, He is certainly capable of handling our personal trials and the complexities of life.
  • Worship: Understanding God's immense power naturally leads to heartfelt adoration and praise for His majesty and might.
  • Humility: Recognizing our smallness in comparison to such a great God fosters a humble spirit and a deep sense of reverence for His divine authority.

This verse encourages us to stand in awe of our Creator, whose power is not just ancient history but an ever-present reality.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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,

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