Psalms 97:5

The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

The hills {H2022} melted {H4549} like wax {H1749} at the presence {H6440} of the LORD {H3068}, at the presence {H6440} of the Lord {H113} of the whole earth {H776}.

The mountains melt like wax at the presence of ADONAI, at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.

The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

The mountains melted like wax at the presence of Jehovah, At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

Commentary

Context

Psalm 97 is a majestic declaration of God's reign over all the earth. It is often categorized as a "theophany" psalm, describing a powerful manifestation of God's presence. Leading up to verse 5, the psalm speaks of clouds and darkness surrounding Him, righteousness and justice as the foundation of His throne, and fire going before Him. This sets the stage for the dramatic imagery of nature's response to His awesome power, emphasizing that His dominion is not limited to one nation but extends universally.

Key Themes

  • God's Overwhelming Power and Sovereignty: The central message of Psalm 97:5 is the incomparable power of God. The imagery of "hills melted like wax" vividly portrays the sheer force of His presence, before which even the most formidable elements of creation are utterly insignificant and yield completely. This highlights His absolute control over the natural world.
  • The Awe-Inspiring Divine Presence: The phrase "at the presence of the LORD" is repeated for emphasis, underscoring that it is God's very being and manifest glory that causes such a profound reaction. His presence is not merely symbolic but active and transformative, instilling reverence and fear in all creation.
  • Universal Dominion: The title "Lord of the whole earth" unequivocally declares God's global authority. This isn't a regional deity but the sovereign ruler over all peoples and every part of the planet. His reign is not confined to Israel but encompasses all nations and the entire cosmos, as also celebrated in Psalm 96:13.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "LORD" (all caps in KJV) is YHWH (Yahweh), God's covenant name, signifying His eternal, self-existent nature. The phrase "melted like wax" (נָמַס כַּדּוֹנַג, nāmas kaddōnagh) is a powerful simile. It suggests a complete dissolution and loss of form, implying that the most stable and imposing natural features crumble effortlessly before God's majesty. This imagery is also found in other biblical texts, such as Judges 5:5 and Micah 1:4, underscoring a consistent prophetic understanding of God's immense power.

Practical Application

For believers, this verse serves as a profound reminder of God's unmatched power and sovereignty. In a world often filled with instability and seemingly insurmountable problems, Psalm 97:5 offers immense comfort and calls for deep reverence. If the mighty hills cannot stand before Him, then no human power, no personal struggle, and no global crisis can ultimately withstand His will. It encourages us to place our trust fully in the Lord, knowing that He is in control and His purposes will prevail. This understanding should lead to awe, worship, and confidence in His ability to deliver and sustain His people.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • Nahum 1:5 (12 votes)

    The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

  • Micah 1:3 (11 votes)

    For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.

  • Micah 1:4 (11 votes)

    And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, [and] as the waters [that are] poured down a steep place.

  • Psalms 47:2 (8 votes)

    For the LORD most high [is] terrible; [he is] a great King over all the earth.

  • Isaiah 24:19 (8 votes)

    The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.

  • Isaiah 24:20 (8 votes)

    The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.

  • Isaiah 64:1 (7 votes)

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