Psalms 114:7

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Psalms 114:7 is a powerful poetic declaration, a climactic moment in a psalm celebrating God's awesome power demonstrated in the Exodus. It commands the very earth to respond with reverence to the Creator's manifest presence.

Context

Psalm 114 is part of the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118), a collection of psalms traditionally sung during Passover. This psalm vividly recounts the miraculous events of the Exodus from Egypt, emphasizing how creation itself responded to the presence of God. It describes the sea fleeing, Jordan turning back, and mountains skipping like rams. Verse 7 serves as a culminating command, inviting the entire earth to acknowledge the divine power that orchestrated these historical wonders. It transitions from recounting past events to a direct, present imperative, urging all creation to recognize the Lord's majesty.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Power: The verse highlights God's absolute control over all creation. The earth is not an independent entity but is subject to His will and presence. This theme underscores that no force in the universe can withstand the Lord.
  • Theophany and Manifestation: The "presence of the Lord" (Hebrew: liphnรช Adonai) implies a direct, awe-inspiring manifestation of God's power and glory. The trembling of the earth is a natural, involuntary response to such immense holiness, similar to the trembling of Mount Sinai at God's descent.
  • Reverential Awe: The command to "Tremble" isn't merely about fear or terror, but profound reverence and respect. It's a call for all creation to acknowledge God's majesty and holiness, inspiring a sense of awe that leads to worship.
  • The God of Jacob's Covenant Faithfulness: By identifying Him as the "God of Jacob," the psalm connects the universal Creator to His specific covenant relationship with Israel. This emphasizes that the mighty God who controls the cosmos is also the faithful God who personally delivered His people, as promised in His covenant with Jacob.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "tremble" here is chรปl (ื—ื•ืœ), which can mean to writhe, to be in pain, to dance, or to tremble. In this context, it conveys a powerful, almost visceral reaction, suggesting the earth is convulsing or quaking in response to God's overwhelming presence. Itโ€™s an active, dynamic response, not passive fear. The repetition of "at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob" serves to intensify the command and underscore the identity of the One before whom all creation must bow.

Practical Application

Psalms 114:7 invites us to cultivate a deeper sense of awe and reverence for God. If the very earth trembles before Him, how much more should humanity, created in His image, acknowledge His majesty? This verse reminds us:

  • God is Sovereign: No problem or obstacle we face is too great for the God who commands the earth. We can trust in His ultimate control and power.
  • Worship with Awe: Our worship should be infused with a profound sense of His greatness and holiness. He is not merely a benevolent friend but the powerful Creator and Sustainer of all.
  • Stand in Reverence: In a world that often discounts divine authority, this verse calls us to remember and respond to the awesome presence of the Lord, the God who is actively involved in His creation and in the lives of His people.
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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

    ยถ 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.