Psalms 104:7

KJV

At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.

KJV (with Strong's)

At {H4480} thy rebuke {H1606} they fled {H5127}; at the voice {H6963} of thy thunder {H7482} they hasted {H2648} away.

Complete Jewish Bible

At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they rushed away,

Berean Standard Bible

At Your rebuke the waters fled; at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away—

American Standard Version

At thy rebuke they fled; At the voice of thy thunder they hasted away

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 104:7 powerfully depicts the absolute sovereignty of God over the primeval waters during creation. It portrays the chaotic deep retreating in immediate and complete obedience at God's authoritative command, likened to a rebuke and the voice of thunder. This verse is a poetic celebration of God's wisdom and irresistible power in bringing order to the cosmos, establishing the boundaries of the seas and dry land as described in the Genesis creation account.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 104 is a magnificent hymn of praise to God as Creator and Sustainer, often considered a poetic commentary or expansion of [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"). The psalm moves chronologically through the days of creation, marveling at God's handiwork from the heavens to the earth, the seas, and all living creatures. Verse 7 specifically harks back to the second and third days of creation, where God separates the waters above from the waters below, and then gathers the waters into seas, allowing dry land to appear (cf. [Genesis 1:6-10](/genesis/1-6 "Genesis 1:6-10 - Separation of Waters and Dry Land")). The psalmist uses vivid, dynamic language to describe the responsiveness of creation to the divine decree, emphasizing God's effortless control over even the most unruly elements.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, many cosmogonies depicted creation as a struggle between divine beings and primordial chaos, often personified as unruly waters or sea monsters. However, the Israelite worldview, as expressed in Psalms 104 and [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"), presents a radically different picture. Yahweh does not engage in a cosmic battle; instead, He brings order out of chaos by His mere word and command. The imagery of "rebuke" and "voice of thunder" would have resonated deeply with an audience familiar with theophany (divine manifestation) in storm imagery, where God's voice is associated with overwhelming power and authority, as seen in passages like [Exodus 19:16-19](/exodus/19-16 "Exodus 19:16-19 - God's Appearance at Sinai"). This highlights God's unique and unchallenged sovereignty over all creation.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 104 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **God's Absolute Sovereignty and Power**, demonstrating that no force in creation, not even the vast and seemingly chaotic primeval waters, can resist His decree. His word alone is sufficient to bring order and establish boundaries. Secondly, it emphasizes **Divine Command and Order**, showing that creation is not a haphazard event but an intentional act of God's powerful word, bringing cosmos out of chaos. The waters "fled" precisely because they were "rebuked" by the Almighty, illustrating God's ability to impose structure and purpose. Thirdly, the "voice of thy thunder" signifies **The Irresistible Voice of God**, which is not merely a sound but an overwhelming presence and an irresistible force that commands instant obedience from all elements of creation, echoing themes found in other psalms, such as [Psalms 29:3-4](/psalms/29-3 "Psalms 29:3-4 - The Voice of the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rebuke (Hebrew, _ga'arah'_):** This term implies a strong, authoritative scolding, chiding, or reprimand. It is not a gentle suggestion but a powerful, decisive command that causes immediate and often forceful action. In biblical usage, _ga'arah_ is frequently employed to describe God's power over rebellious forces, whether human enemies (e.g., [Psalms 9:5](/psalms/9-5 "God's Rebuke of the Nations")) or unruly elements of nature (e.g., [Nahum 1:4](/nahum/1-4 "God Rebukes the Sea")). Here, it underscores the absolute and unquestionable authority God wields over the primordial waters, compelling their retreat.
* **Fled (Hebrew, _nus'_):** This verb denotes a rapid, often panicked, retreat or flight. When used in conjunction with "rebuke," it vividly portrays the waters not merely receding, but doing so with urgency and compulsion, as if in fear or immediate obedience to a superior power. It emphasizes the instantaneous and complete effect of God's command.
* **Hasted Away (Hebrew, _bahal'_):** This word means to be terrified, dismayed, or to hurry in alarm. It intensifies the imagery of "fled," suggesting a swift, almost frantic departure of the waters. Together, "fled" and "hasted away" paint a dynamic picture of the chaotic waters being utterly overwhelmed by God's presence and voice, making their retreat swift and absolute.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"At thy rebuke they fled":** This clause establishes God's direct and authoritative intervention. The "rebuke" signifies a powerful, verbal command from God, which the formless, chaotic waters (symbolically "they") immediately obey by retreating. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty and the irresistible nature of His word over even the most formidable elements of creation.
* **"at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away":** This parallel clause reinforces and amplifies the first. The "voice of thy thunder" is a powerful metaphor for God's awe-inspiring, majestic, and irresistible presence and command. It is not merely a sound but an emanation of divine power that compels an immediate and urgent response ("hasted away") from the waters, further emphasizing their complete submission to the Creator's will.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 104:7 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey God's majestic power. **Personification** is evident in the description of the waters as "fleeing" and "hasting away," as if they are sentient beings responding with fear and urgency to a divine command. This imbues the inanimate elements with a sense of agency, making God's control over them all the more striking. **Anthropomorphism** is also present in the references to God's "rebuke" and "voice of thy thunder," which attribute human-like actions and vocalizations to God to describe His powerful and decisive intervention in creation. This helps the human reader grasp the tangible impact of divine action. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **synonymous parallelism**, where the second clause ("at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away") reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first clause ("At thy rebuke they fled"). This repetition serves to emphasize the overwhelming and undeniable power of God's command, reinforcing the central message of His absolute sovereignty over chaos. The vivid **imagery** of the chaotic waters retreating in disarray at the sound of God's voice creates a powerful mental picture of divine authority and cosmic order being established.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 104:7 stands as a profound testament to God's absolute and effortless sovereignty over creation. It underscores the biblical truth that the cosmos is not the result of random chance or a chaotic struggle, but the intentional, ordered product of a powerful, speaking God. This verse reminds us that the same divine voice that commanded the primeval waters into their bounds continues to sustain and govern all things. It speaks to God's ability to bring order out of chaos, not just in the macrocosm of creation, but also in the microcosm of human lives and circumstances. This foundational truth instills confidence and encourages worship, knowing that the Creator of the universe is actively involved and supremely powerful.

* [Genesis 1:9-10](/genesis/1-9 "God Gathers the Waters")
* [Job 38:8-11](/job/38-8 "God Sets Boundaries for the Sea")
* [Psalms 29:3-4](/psalms/29-3 "The Voice of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 104:7 offers a profound source of spiritual nourishment for believers today. In a world often characterized by uncertainty, chaos, and overwhelming challenges, this verse serves as a powerful anchor, reminding us that the same God who effortlessly commanded the vast, unruly oceans into their appointed places is still utterly sovereign over all things. His voice, His word, carries irresistible authority. This truth invites us to trust Him with the "chaotic waters" of our own lives—our anxieties, our fears, our seemingly insurmountable problems. It encourages us to surrender control, knowing that the Creator who brought order out of cosmic chaos is more than capable of bringing peace and purpose to our personal storms. Ultimately, this verse calls us to a deeper sense of awe and reverence for our Creator and Sustainer, whose power is boundless and whose commands are always effective.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's absolute power over primeval chaos, as depicted in this verse, impact your trust in Him amidst the "chaotic" circumstances of your life today?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to recognize and submit to the "rebuke" or authoritative command of God to bring order and peace?**
* **What does the imagery of the "voice of thy thunder" signify about the majesty and irresistible authority of God's presence in your personal spiritual journey?**

### FAQ
**What is the "rebuke" referring to in this verse?**
Answer: The "rebuke" refers to God's powerful, authoritative, and decisive command issued to the primeval, chaotic waters during the creation process. It signifies His absolute will and irresistible power that compelled the waters to recede, separate, and settle into their designated boundaries, allowing dry land to appear, as described in [Genesis 1:9-10](/genesis/1-9 "God Gathers the Waters"). It's not a gentle request but a divine decree that demands immediate and complete obedience.

**How does this verse relate to the Genesis creation account?**
Answer: Psalms 104:7 is a poetic and celebratory re-narration of events described in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"), particularly those of the second and third days of creation. It vividly portrays God's act of separating the waters above and below the expanse, and then gathering the waters on the earth into seas, allowing the dry land to emerge (cf. [Genesis 1:6-10](/genesis/1-6 "Separation of Waters and Dry Land")). The psalmist uses evocative language to highlight the immediate and complete obedience of creation to God's word.

**Does "voice of thy thunder" mean God literally thunders?**
Answer: While God can certainly manifest Himself with literal thunder (as seen in [Exodus 19:16](/exodus/19-16 "Thunder at Sinai")), in Psalms 104:7, "voice of thy thunder" is primarily a powerful metaphor. It signifies the awe-inspiring, majestic, and irresistible nature of God's voice and presence. It emphasizes that God's command is not merely spoken but carries with it the overwhelming force and authority of a divine manifestation, compelling all creation to obey instantly and without question. It evokes a sense of His absolute power and sovereignty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 104:7, with its depiction of God's irresistible power over primeval chaos, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as the Creator's "rebuke" and "voice of thunder" brought order to the formless deep, so too does Christ manifest divine authority over all forms of chaos. He is the very Word through whom all things were created, and in Him "all things hold together" ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). The New Testament vividly portrays Jesus exercising this same creative and ordering power: He rebukes the wind and the waves, and they obey Him instantly, causing His disciples to marvel, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" ([Mark 4:39-41](/mark/4-39 "Jesus Calms the Storm")). Beyond the physical realm, Christ's authority extends to the spiritual chaos of sin and death. His voice, the ultimate "rebuke" to the forces of darkness, casts out demons ([Mark 1:27](/mark/1-27 "Jesus' Authority Over Unclean Spirits")) and even raises the dead ([John 11:43](/john/11-43 "Jesus Raises Lazarus")). Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus brings ultimate order out of the chaos of humanity's rebellion, creating a new creation in those who believe ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ")). He is the one who will ultimately usher in a new heaven and a new earth, where all chaos and disorder are finally banished by His sovereign rule ([Revelation 21:1](/revelation/21-1 "New Heaven and New Earth")).

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 18:15

Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

Genesis 8:1

¶ And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that [was] with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;

Mark 4:39

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Psalms 114:3

The sea saw [it], and fled: Jordan was driven back.

Psalms 114:7

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

Proverbs 8:28

When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

Psalms 106:9

He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.