Psalms 114:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Tremble {H2342}, thou earth {H776}, at the presence {H6440} of the Lord {H113}, at the presence {H6440} of the God {H433} of Jacob {H3290};

Complete Jewish Bible

Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Ya'akov,

Berean Standard Bible

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 114:7 serves as a climactic, imperative command within a psalm that celebrates God's awe-inspiring power demonstrated through the Exodus. It poetically summons the entire earth to respond with profound reverence and trembling to the manifest, active presence of the sovereign Lord, specifically identified as the covenant-keeping God of Jacob, thereby linking universal cosmic power to His particular redemptive history with Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 114 is a quintessential hymn of praise, forming a vital part of the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118), traditionally recited during the Passover Seder. The psalm vividly recounts the miraculous events of the Exodus from Egypt, beginning with Israel's departure from a land of foreign tongue. It employs striking personification, depicting the sea fleeing, the Jordan turning back, and the mountains and hills skipping like rams in response to God's presence. Verse 7 acts as the dramatic climax and summation of this historical recounting, transitioning from a narrative of God's past interventions to a direct, present imperative. It calls for the entire earth to acknowledge the divine power that orchestrated these historical wonders, reinforcing the idea that creation itself bears witness to the Lord's majesty and sovereign control.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalm 114 is the foundational event of Israel's national identity: the Exodus from Egyptian bondage and the subsequent journey through the wilderness to the promised land. This period was marked by extraordinary divine intervention, including the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, the stopping of the Jordan River, and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, where the mountain itself [trembled violently at God's descent](/exodus/19-18 "Exodus 19:18 - Mount Sinai Trembles"). Culturally, the ancient Near East often attributed natural phenomena to the direct actions of various deities. However, Psalm 114 uniquely attributes these cosmic responses to the one true God, Yahweh, distinguishing Him from pagan deities by His historical, covenantal faithfulness to Israel, specifically as "the God of Jacob." The annual Passover celebration, during which this psalm was sung, served as a communal remembrance and re-enactment of this pivotal deliverance, reinforcing God's power and faithfulness across generations and solidifying Israel's identity as His chosen people.
* **Key Themes:** This psalm, culminating in verse 7, powerfully articulates several core theological themes. **Divine Sovereignty and Power** is paramount, as the verse underscores God's absolute control over all creation, demonstrating that no force in the universe can withstand the Lord, who [parts seas](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - Parting of the Red Sea") and [shakes mountains](/judges/5-5 "Judges 5:5 - Mountains Quaked Before the Lord"). The theme of **Theophany and Manifestation** is also central, as the repeated phrase "at the presence of the Lord" implies a direct, awe-inspiring manifestation of God's power and glory, eliciting a visceral response from creation, echoing the [trembling of Mount Sinai](/exodus/19-18 "Exodus 19:18 - God Descends on Mount Sinai"). Finally, the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Identity** is highlighted by the designation "the God of Jacob," explicitly connecting the universal Creator to His specific, intimate covenant relationship with Israel, fulfilling the promises made to their patriarchs, particularly the [covenant established with Jacob at Bethel](/genesis/28-13 "Genesis 28:13 - God's Covenant with Jacob").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tremble (Hebrew, _chûwl'_):** The Hebrew verb חוּל (*chûwl*) is rich in meaning, encompassing concepts of writhing, being in pain, dancing, or quaking. In this context, it conveys a powerful, almost visceral reaction, suggesting the earth is convulsing or quaking in response to God's overwhelming presence. It implies an active, dynamic, and involuntary response of profound awe and submission, rather than mere passive fear. This trembling is not a sign of weakness in the earth but a demonstration of the immense power of the divine presence it encounters, aligning with the root meaning of twisting or whirling in fear or pain.
* **Presence (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** The Hebrew word פָּנִים (*pânîym*), often translated as "presence" or "face," denotes a direct, unmediated encounter. It signifies that the earth's reaction is not to a distant or abstract deity, but to the immediate, manifest reality of God's being and power. This "presence" is the active, dynamic force that caused the Red Sea to flee and the Jordan to turn back, implying a tangible, impactful manifestation of the divine, as if standing "before the face" of God Himself.
* **God of Jacob (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôwahh Yaʻăqôb'_):** This specific designation links the universal sovereign Lord (*ʼâdôwn*) to His particular covenant relationship with Israel, through their patriarch Jacob. The term *ʼĕlôwahh* refers to a deity or the Deity, emphasizing God's divine nature. This phrase highlights God's personal faithfulness and historical involvement with His chosen people. The "God of Jacob" is not just a generic deity but the one who made promises, delivered His people, and continues to act on their behalf, demonstrating that His cosmic power is intimately tied to His redemptive purposes and His specific covenant with Jacob, the heel-catcher and supplanter.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Tremble, thou earth,"**: This is a direct, imperative command, personifying the earth and calling it to a visceral, awe-filled response. It signifies that the entire created order is subject to God's authority and cannot remain indifferent to His presence. The command implies an immediate and unavoidable reaction, a profound and involuntary convulsion in recognition of ultimate power.
* **"at the presence of the Lord,"**: This phrase identifies the singular, overwhelming cause of the earth's trembling. "The Lord" (Hebrew: *ʼâdôwn*) emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty, mastery, and ownership over all things. The "presence" indicates a direct, active manifestation of His power and glory, not merely a conceptual idea of God, but His active, intervening reality that demands a response from all creation.
* **"at the presence of the God of Jacob;"**: This repetition intensifies the command and clarifies the identity of the "Lord." By adding "the God of Jacob," the psalm grounds this universal, cosmic power in the specific, historical, and covenantal relationship God has with Israel. It reminds the audience that the God who commands the universe is the same God who faithfully delivered their ancestors, linking His transcendent majesty to His immanent faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 114:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message with vivid impact. **Personification** is central, as the earth is directly commanded to "tremble," attributing human-like emotional and physical responses to an inanimate entity. This vivid imagery emphasizes the overwhelming nature of God's presence, suggesting that even the non-sentient world instinctively reacts to Him. The device of **Repetition** ("at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob") serves to intensify the command and underscore the singular, undeniable identity of the divine agent. This anaphora creates a rhythmic, emphatic declaration, reinforcing the profound and unchallengeable source of the earth's awe. Furthermore, the verse uses **Hyperbole** to magnify God's power; while the earth doesn't literally "tremble" in fear, the image conveys a profound, cosmic-level impact of God's manifest glory. Finally, the psalm as a whole, culminating in this verse, is a masterful example of **Apostrophe**, directly addressing the earth as if it can hear and respond, thereby inviting the human audience to likewise respond with profound reverence and submission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological implications of Psalms 114:7 are profound, establishing God's absolute sovereignty over creation and history. It asserts that the same divine power that orchestrated the Exodus continues to hold sway over all existence. The earth's trembling signifies not just fear, but a profound, reverential awe, a recognition of ultimate authority and holiness. This verse powerfully connects God's universal power to His specific covenant faithfulness, demonstrating that the God who controls the cosmos is intimately involved in the lives of His people. It challenges humanity to respond with similar awe and humble submission, recognizing that if inanimate creation reacts so profoundly to God's manifest presence, how much more should sentient beings, made in His image and recipients of His grace, worship and obey Him.

* [Exodus 19:18](/exodus/19-18 "Exodus 19:18 - Mount Sinai Trembles at God's Presence")
* [Isaiah 64:1-2](/isaiah/64-1-2 "Isaiah 64:1-2 - God's Manifest Presence Shakes Mountains")
* [Habakkuk 3:6](/habakkuk/3-6 "Habakkuk 3:6 - The Earth Trembles Before God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 114:7 calls us to cultivate a profound sense of awe and reverence for God in our daily lives. If the very earth, in its vastness and stability, is depicted as trembling before Him, how much more should humanity, created in His image and recipients of His grace, acknowledge His majesty and power? This verse reminds us that God is not a distant, abstract concept, but an active, sovereign presence who commands all creation. It encourages us to approach worship, prayer, and even our daily tasks with a heightened awareness of His immanence and transcendence. In a world often characterized by human hubris and a diminishing sense of the sacred, this psalm reorients our perspective, compelling us to stand in humble reverence before the God who controls all things, trusting in His ultimate power over every circumstance and challenge we face. It invites us to remember that the God who shook mountains for Israel is the same God who is intimately present in our lives, deserving of our deepest respect and adoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the earth trembling before God's presence challenge or deepen your understanding of divine power and holiness?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, cultivate a greater sense of reverential awe in our worship, our prayer life, and our daily walk with God?**
* **Considering God as both the universal Lord and "the God of Jacob," how does His covenant faithfulness impact your trust in His sovereignty over your personal life and the world around you?**

### FAQ
**Does "tremble" imply fear or something else?**

Answer: While "tremble" can evoke fear, in this context, the Hebrew word *chûl* (חוּל) suggests a more profound, visceral, and involuntary response of awe, reverence, and even convulsion in the face of overwhelming power and holiness. It's not merely terror, but a recognition of ultimate authority and majesty, similar to how Mount Sinai [quaked at God's descent](/exodus/19-18 "Exodus 19:18 - Mount Sinai Trembles"). It signifies a deep, inherent acknowledgment by creation of its Creator's manifest presence and an inescapable submission to His will.

**Why is God identified as "the God of Jacob" here?**

Answer: Identifying God as "the God of Jacob" links His universal, cosmic power to His specific, historical, and covenantal relationship with Israel. It reminds the audience that the mighty Lord who commands the earth is the same faithful God who made promises to Jacob and delivered his descendants from Egyptian bondage. This emphasizes that God's awesome power is not arbitrary but is exercised in accordance with His redemptive purposes and His [unwavering covenant faithfulness](/genesis/28-13 "Genesis 28:13 - God's Covenant with Jacob"). It grounds the abstract concept of divine power in the tangible history of His people, assuring them that the Creator of all is also their personal, covenant-keeping God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 114:7, with its depiction of creation trembling before the Lord's presence, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the very "presence of the Lord" made manifest in human flesh, the [Word who became flesh and dwelt among us](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"). The power that caused the sea to flee and mountains to skip is the same inherent divine power found in Christ, who [rebuked the wind and the sea, and they obeyed Him](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm"), demonstrating His authority over creation. The "God of Jacob" who delivered Israel is revealed in Jesus, who delivers humanity from the bondage of sin and death, fulfilling the ancient covenants and promises made to the patriarchs. His crucifixion and resurrection were cosmic events, causing the [earth to quake and rocks to split](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - Earthquake at the Crucifixion"), echoing the trembling of creation before His divine authority. Ultimately, the call for the earth to tremble before the Lord foreshadows the eschatological reality where every knee will [bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - Every Knee Shall Bow"), a future cosmic trembling and willing submission that perfectly embodies the profound reverence and acknowledgment demanded by Psalms 114:7, as all creation acknowledges the sovereign reign of the Lamb of God.

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 104:32

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

Jeremiah 5:22

Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand [for] the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?

Isaiah 64:1

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

Isaiah 64:3

When thou didst terrible things [which] we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.

Job 26:11

The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.

Psalms 96:9

O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Psalms 97:4

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