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Chapter 97
Verse 97

Psalms 97:4

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles.

American Standard Version (1901)

His lightnings lightened the world: The earth saw, and trembled.

Bible in Basic English

His bright flames give light to the world; the earth saw it with fear.

Free Bible Version

His flashes of lightning light up the world; the earth watches and trembles.

Geneva Bible 1599

His lightnings gaue light vnto the worlde: the earth sawe it and was afraide.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

One Unity Resource Bible

His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles.

Translation for Translators

All around the world he causes lightning to flash; people on the earth see it, and it causes them to be afraid and tremble.

Unlocked Literal Bible

His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles.

Young's Literal Translation

Lightened have His lightnings the world, The earth hath seen, and is pained.

Context

Let the Earth Rejoice

³Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side. ⁴His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles. ⁵The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

Summary

Psalms 97:4 describes the radiance and power of the Lord's presence. It portrays God's light breaking forth like a beacon, illuminating the world and dispelling darkness. This verse symbolizes the divine glory and majesty that surpasses all earthly brightness, signifying the supremacy of God over creation. The imagery of fire preceding Him evokes a sense of awe and reverence, highlighting His holiness and purity. Ultimately, Psalms 97:4 conveys the idea of God's sovereignty and the transformative impact of His divine presence in the lives of His people.

Commentary

Keil-Delitzsch
John Gill

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

Again we have nothing but echoes of the older literature: Psa 97:4 = Psa 77:19; Psa 97:4, cf. Psa 77:17; Psa 97:5, cf. Mic 1:4; Psa 97:5, cf. Mic 4:13; Psa 97:6 = Psa 50:6; Psa 97:6, cf. Isa 35:2; Isa 40:5; Isa 52:10; Isa 66:18. The poet goes on to describe that which is future with historical certainty. That which Psa 77:19 says of the manifestation of God in the earlier times he transfers to the revelation of God in the last time. The earth sees it, and begins to tremble in consequence of it. The reading ותּחל, according to Hitzig (cf. Ew. ֗232, b) traditional, is, however, only an error of pointing that has been propagated; the correct reading is the reading of Heidenheim and Baer, restored according to MSS, ותּחל (cf. Sa1 31:3), like ותּבן, ותּקם, ותּרם, and ותּשׂם. The figure of the wax is found even in Psa 68:3; and Jahve is also called "Lord of the whole earth" in Zac 4:14; Zac 6:5. The proclamation of the heavens is an expression of joy, Psa 96:11. They proclaim the judicial strictness with which Jahve, in accordance with His promises, carries out His plan of salvation, the realization of which has reached its goal in the fact that all men see the glory of God.

Psalms 97:4

Let the Earth Rejoice

³Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side. ⁴His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles. ⁵The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles.

American Standard Version (1901)

His lightnings lightened the world: The earth saw, and trembled.

Bible in Basic English

His bright flames give light to the world; the earth saw it with fear.

Free Bible Version

His flashes of lightning light up the world; the earth watches and trembles.

Geneva Bible 1599

His lightnings gaue light vnto the worlde: the earth sawe it and was afraide.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

One Unity Resource Bible

His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles.

Translation for Translators

All around the world he causes lightning to flash; people on the earth see it, and it causes them to be afraid and tremble.

Unlocked Literal Bible

His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

His lightning lights up the world. The earth sees, and trembles.

Young's Literal Translation

Lightened have His lightnings the world, The earth hath seen, and is pained.

Keil-Delitzsch
John Gill

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

Again we have nothing but echoes of the older literature: Psa 97:4 = Psa 77:19; Psa 97:4, cf. Psa 77:17; Psa 97:5, cf. Mic 1:4; Psa 97:5, cf. Mic 4:13; Psa 97:6 = Psa 50:6; Psa 97:6, cf. Isa 35:2; Isa 40:5; Isa 52:10; Isa 66:18. The poet goes on to describe that which is future with historical certainty. That which Psa 77:19 says of the manifestation of God in the earlier times he transfers to the revelation of God in the last time. The earth sees it, and begins to tremble in consequence of it. The reading ותּחל, according to Hitzig (cf. Ew. ֗232, b) traditional, is, however, only an error of pointing that has been propagated; the correct reading is the reading of Heidenheim and Baer, restored according to MSS, ותּחל (cf. Sa1 31:3), like ותּבן, ותּקם, ותּרם, and ותּשׂם. The figure of the wax is found even in Psa 68:3; and Jahve is also called "Lord of the whole earth" in Zac 4:14; Zac 6:5. The proclamation of the heavens is an expression of joy, Psa 96:11. They proclaim the judicial strictness with which Jahve, in accordance with His promises, carries out His plan of salvation, the realization of which has reached its goal in the fact that all men see the glory of God.