Psalms 18:7

Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.

Then the earth {H776} shook {H1607} and trembled {H7493}; the foundations {H4146} also of the hills {H2022} moved {H7264} and were shaken {H1607}, because he was wroth {H2734}.

"Then the earth quaked and shook, the foundations of the mountains trembled. They were shaken because he was angry.

Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger.

Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations also of the mountains quaked And were shaken, because he was wroth.

Commentary

Context of Psalms 18:7

Psalm 18 is a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving and praise, attributed to King David, celebrating God's deliverance of him from all his enemies, especially from the hand of Saul. This verse, Psalms 18:7, is part of a vivid, poetic description of God's dramatic and powerful intervention on David's behalf. David portrays the Lord descending from heaven with cataclysmic force, causing the very earth and mountains to react to His overwhelming presence and righteous indignation. It paints a picture of divine rescue, where the natural world itself testifies to God's immense power and His commitment to His anointed.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Omnipotent Power: The shaking of the earth and the moving of the hills are metaphors for God's absolute power and control over creation. Nothing, not even the most stable elements of the natural world, can stand unmoved in His presence. This imagery emphasizes God's limitless might.
  • Divine Wrath and Justice: The phrase "because he was wroth" indicates that God's powerful intervention is driven by a holy and righteous anger against injustice and those who oppose His purposes and His chosen ones. This is not arbitrary anger but a manifestation of His perfect justice against evil.
  • Active Divine Intervention: The verse assures believers that God is not a distant deity but one who actively intervenes in human affairs, especially to protect His servants and execute His will. This dramatic portrayal underscores the reality of God's powerful hand in deliverance.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "wroth" comes from the Old English for "angry." The Hebrew word used here is charah (ื—ึธืจึธื”), which literally means "to burn" or "to kindle," often translated as "to be angry." This conveys an intense, consuming anger, not a human sinful rage, but a divine, righteous indignation. The verbs describing the earth's reactionโ€”"shook" (ra'ash) and "trembled" (ga'ash)โ€”are strong, evocative terms, suggesting violent, convulsive movements akin to a massive earthquake. The "foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken" further intensifies this imagery, emphasizing that even the most deeply rooted and stable parts of the earth are affected by God's overwhelming presence and power.

Related Scriptures

Practical Application

Psalms 18:7 offers profound comfort and a sobering warning. For those who trust in God, it reassures them that the Lord is an active, powerful defender who will intervene on their behalf, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. His power is beyond human comprehension, capable of shaking the very foundations of the world to deliver His people. For those who oppose God or His purposes, it serves as a powerful reminder of His righteous wrath and the certainty of His judgment. It encourages believers to place their complete trust in God's sovereign power and to live righteously, knowing that He is a God of both immense love and formidable justice.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 4:31

    And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

  • Psalms 68:7

    ยถ O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:

  • Psalms 68:8

    The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: [even] Sinai itself [was moved] at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

  • Judges 5:4

    LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.

  • Deuteronomy 32:22

    For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

  • Matthew 28:2

    And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

  • Acts 16:25

    ยถ And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
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