Lectionary Calendar
Friday, October 18th, 2024
the Week of Proper 23 / Ordinary 28
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Read the Bible

King James Version

Psalms 18:7

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

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Earthquakes;   God;   Readings, Select;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Earthquakes;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Earthquake;   Fire;   Psalms, the Book of;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Earthquake;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Foundation;   Heaven;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Apocalyptic Literature;   David;   Earthquake;   English Versions;   Foundation;   Greek Versions of Ot;   Jonah;   Kingdom of God;   Psalms;   Salvation, Saviour;   Sin;   Text, Versions, and Languages of Ot;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - David;   Psalms the book of;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Foundation;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Earthquake;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Earthquake;   Hill;   Text of the Old Testament;   Tribulation;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Corner-Stone;   Theophany;  

Parallel Translations

New Living Translation
Then the earth quaked and trembled. The foundations of the mountains shook; they quaked because of his anger.
English Revised Version
Then the earth shook and trembled, me foundations also of the mountains moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
Update Bible Version
Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations also of the mountains quaked And were shaken, because he was angry.
New Century Version
The earth trembled and shook. The foundations of the mountains began to shake. They trembled because the Lord was angry.
New English Translation
The earth heaved and shook; the roots of the mountains trembled; they heaved because he was angry.
Webster's Bible Translation
Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
World English Bible
Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations also of the mountains quaked and were shaken, Because he was angry.
Amplified Bible
Then the earth shook and quaked, The foundations of the mountains trembled; They were shaken because He was indignant and angry.
English Standard Version
Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
In my tribulacioun Y inwardli clepide the Lord; and Y criede to my God. And he herde my vois fro his hooli temple; and my cry in his siyt entride in to hise eeris.
Berean Standard Bible
Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger.
Contemporary English Version
The earth shook and shivered, and the mountains trembled down to their roots. You were angry
American Standard Version
Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations also of the mountains quaked And were shaken, because he was wroth.
Bible in Basic English
Then trouble and shock came on the earth; and the bases of the mountains were moved and shaking, because he was angry.
Complete Jewish Bible
In my distress I called to Adonai ; I cried out to my God. Out of his temple he heard my voice; my cry reached his ears.
Darby Translation
Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled and shook, because he was wroth.
Easy-to-Read Version
The earth shook and shivered. The foundations of the mountains trembled. They shook because he was angry.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God;
King James Version (1611)
Then the earth shooke and trembled; the foundations also of the hilles mooued and were shaken, because hee was wroth.
New Life Bible
Then the earth shook. The mountains were shaking. They shook because He was angry.
New Revised Standard
Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then the earth trembled, and quaked: the foundations also of the mountaines mooued and shooke, because he was angrie.
George Lamsa Translation
Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the mountains quaked and were shaken because he was angry.
Good News Translation
Then the earth trembled and shook; the foundations of the mountains rocked and quivered, because God was angry.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then did the earth shake and quake, Even, the foundations of the mountains, were deeply moved, Yea they did shake, because he was angry.
Douay-Rheims Bible
(17-8) The earth shook and trembled: the foundations of the mountains were troubled and were moved, because he was angry with them.
Revised Standard Version
Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
The earth trembled and quaked: the very foundations of the hylles tottered and shooke, because he was wroth.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains were disturbed, and were shaken, because God was angry with them.
Christian Standard Bible®
Then the earth shook and quaked;the foundations of the mountains trembled;they shook because he burned with anger.
Hebrew Names Version
Then the eretz shook and trembled. The foundations also of the mountains quaked and were shaken, Because he was angry.
Lexham English Bible
Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled, and they staggered because he was angry.
Literal Translation
Then the earth shook and quaked; and the foundations of the mountains quaked and were shaken, because it angered Him.
Young's Literal Translation
And shake and tremble doth the earth, And foundations of hills are troubled, And they shake -- because He hath wrath.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
The the earth trembled & quaked, the very foudacios of the hilles shoke & were remoued, because he was wrothe.
THE MESSAGE
Earth wobbles and lurches; huge mountains shake like leaves, Quake like aspen leaves because of his rage. His nostrils flare, bellowing smoke; his mouth spits fire. Tongues of fire dart in and out; he lowers the sky. He steps down; under his feet an abyss opens up. He's riding a winged creature, swift on wind-wings. Now he's wrapped himself in a trenchcoat of black-cloud darkness. But his cloud-brightness bursts through, spraying hailstones and fireballs. Then God thundered out of heaven; the High God gave a great shout, spraying hailstones and fireballs. God shoots his arrows—pandemonium! He hurls his lightnings—a rout! The secret sources of ocean are exposed, the hidden depths of earth lie uncovered The moment you roar in protest, let loose your hurricane anger.
New American Standard Bible
Then the earth shook and quaked; And the foundations of the mountains were trembling And were shaken, because He was angry.
New King James Version
Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken, Because He was angry.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then the earth shook and quaked; And the foundations of the mountains were trembling And were shaken, because He was angry.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then the earth shook and quaked;And the foundations of the mountains were tremblingAnd were shaken, because He was angry.

Contextual Overview

1 I will love thee, O Lord , my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 3 I will call upon the Lord , who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. 4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. 6 In my distress I called upon the Lord , and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. 7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. 8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. 9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. 10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

earth: Psalms 114:4-7, Matthew 28:2, Acts 4:31, Acts 16:25, Acts 16:26

foundations: Psalms 46:2, Deuteronomy 32:22, Jeremiah 4:24, Ezekiel 38:19, Ezekiel 38:20, Habakkuk 3:6, Habakkuk 3:10, Zechariah 14:4, 1 Corinthians 13:2

Reciprocal: Judges 5:4 - the earth 2 Samuel 22:8 - the earth Job 26:11 - pillars Psalms 29:8 - shaketh Psalms 50:3 - it shall Isaiah 5:25 - the hills Isaiah 24:18 - the foundations Isaiah 30:27 - burning Isaiah 42:15 - General Isaiah 64:1 - Oh that Jeremiah 10:10 - at Ezekiel 38:18 - that Joel 2:10 - earth Amos 8:8 - the land Nahum 1:3 - his way Habakkuk 3:5 - and Matthew 27:51 - the earth

Cross-References

Genesis 18:15
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
Genesis 18:16
And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
Genesis 19:3
And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
Amos 6:4
That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;
Malachi 1:14
But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.
Matthew 22:4
Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
Luke 15:23
And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
Luke 15:27
And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
Luke 15:30
But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then the earth shook and trembled,.... As it did quickly after Christ called upon the Lord, and cried to his God upon the cross,

Matthew 27:50; and so some time after, when his people were praying together, the place where they were assembled was shaken, Acts 4:31; as a token of God's presence being with them: and the shaking and trembling of the earth is often used as a symbol of the presence of God, and of the greatness of his majesty; as when he brought the children of Israel through the Red sea, went before them in the wilderness, and descended on Mount Sinai, which mountain then moved and quaked exceedingly; see Psalms 104:32; and it is easy to observe, that in this, and other parts of this majestic account of the appearance of God on the behalf of the person the subject of this psalm, and against his enemies, there are manifest allusions to the giving of the law on Mount Sinai; though it may be this shaking of the earth, and what follows, are to be understood in a figurative sense;

the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken; and design the shaking of the earth and heavens, prophesied of in Haggai 2:6; and which is explained in Hebrews 12:26; of the removing the ordinances of the ceremonial law, that Gospel ordinances might remain unshaken; for in 2 Samuel 22:8; the words are, "the foundations of heaven moved and shook"; and the shaking and moving of the earth and mountains may denote the abolition and destruction of kingdoms and nations; and first of the civil polity of the Jews, and of their ecclesiastical state, which quickly ensued upon the death of Christ; and next of the ruin of Rome Pagan, and then of Rome Papal; which are both signified by an earthquake, and by the removal of mountains, Revelation 6:12;

because he was wroth; with the people of the Jews, for disbelieving and rejecting the Messiah; for setting themselves, and taking counsel together against him, and putting him to death; for these things God was angry with them, and wrath came upon them to the uttermost, and their nation, city, and temple were destroyed, Psalms 2:1; and with the Pagan empire and antichristian powers, Revelation 6:16.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Then the earth shook and trembled - The description which follows here is one of the most sublime that is to be found in any language. It is taken from the fury of the storm and tempest, when all the elements are in commotion; when God seems to go forth in the greatness of his majesty and the terror of his power, to prostrate everything before him. We are not to regard this as descriptive of anything which literally occurred, but rather as expressive of the fact of the divine interposition, as if he thus came forth in the greatness of his power. There is no improbability indeed in supposing that in some of the dangerous periods of David’s life, when surrounded by enemies, or even when in the midst of a battle, a furious tempest may have occurred that seemed to be a special divine interposition in his behalf, but we have no distinct record of such an event, and it is not necessary to suppose that such an event occurred in order to a correct understanding of the passage. All that is needful is to regard this as a representation of the mighty interposition of God; to suppose that his intervention was as direct, as manifest, and as sublime, as if he had thus interposed. There are frequent references in the Scriptures to such storms and tempests as illustrative of the majesty, the power, and the glory of God, and of the manner in which he interposes on behalf of his people. See Psalms 144:5-7; Psalms 46:6-8; Psalms 29:1-11; Job 37:21-24; Job 38:1; Nahum 1:3; and particularly Habakkuk 3:3-16. The description in Habakkuk strongly resembles the passage before us, and both were drawn doubtless from an actual observation of the fury of a tempest.

The foundations also of the hills moved - The mountains seemed to rock on their foundations. In the corresponding place in 2 Samuel 22:8 the expression is, “The foundations of heaven moved and shook;” that is, that on which the heavens seem to rest was agitated. Many suppose that the expression refers to the mountains as if they bore up the heavens; but DeWette more properly supposes that the reference is to the heavens as a building or an edifice resting on foundations. Why the change was made in revising the psalm from the “foundations of the heavens” to the “foundations of the hills,” it is impossible now to determine.

Because he was wroth - literally,” Because it was inflamed (or enkindled) to him;” that is, because he was angry. Anger is often compared to a raging flame, because it seems to consume everything before it. Hence, we speak of it as “heated,” as “burning.” So we say of one that he is “inflamed by passion.” The expression here is sublime in the highest degree. God seemed to be angry, and hence, he came forth in this awful manner, and the very earth trembled before him.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Psalms 18:7. Then the earth shook and trembled — "In this and the following verses David describes, by the sublimest expressions and grandest terms, the majesty of God, and the awful manner in which he came to his assistance. The representation of the storm in these verses must be allowed by all skilful and impartial judges to be truly sublime and noble, and in the genuine spirit of poetry. The majesty of God, and the manner in which he is represented as coming to the aid of his favourite king, surrounded with all the powers of nature as his attendants and ministers, and arming (as it were) heaven and earth to fight his battles, and execute his vengeance, is described in the loftiest and most striking terms. The shaking of the earth; the trembling of the mountains and pillars of heaven; the smoke that drove out of his nostrils; the flames of devouring fire that flashed from his mouth; the heavens bending down to convey him to the battle; his riding upon a cherub, and rapidly flying on the wings of a whirlwind; his concealing his majesty in the thick clouds of heaven; the bursting of the lightnings from the horrid darkness; the uttering of his voice in peals of thunder; the storm of fiery hail; the melting of the heavens, and their dissolving into floods of tempestuous rain; the cleaving of the earth, and disclosing of the bottom of the hills, and the subterraneous channels or torrents of water, by the very breath of the nostrils of the Almighty; are all of them circumstances which create admiration, excite a kind of horror, and exceed every thing of this nature that is to be found in any of the remains of heathen antiquity. See Longinus on the Sublime, sec. 9, and Hesiod's description of Jupiter fighting against the Titans, which is one of the grandest things in all pagan antiquity; though upon comparison it will be found infinitely short of this description of the psalmist's; throughout the whole of which God is represented as a mighty warrior going forth to fight the battles of David, and highly incensed at the opposition his enemies made to his power and authority.

"When he descended to the engagement the very heavens bowed down to render his descent more awful, his military tent was substantial darkness; the voice of his thunder was the warlike alarm which sounded to the battle; the chariot in which he rode was the thick clouds of heaven, conducted by cherubs, and carried on by the irresistible force and rapid wings of an impetuous tempest; and the darts and weapons he employed were thunderbolts, lightnings, fiery hail, deluging rains, and stormy winds!

"No wonder that when God thus arose, all his enemies should be scattered, and those who hated him should flee before him.

"It does not appear from any part of David's history that there was any such storm as is here described, which proved destructive to his enemies, and salutary to himself. There might, indeed, have been such a one, though there is no particular mention of it: unless it may be thought that something of this nature is intimated in the account given of David's second battle with the Philistines, 2 Samuel 5:23-24. It is undoubted, however, that the storm is represented as real; though David, in describing it, has heightened and embellished it with all the ornaments of poetry. See Chandler, Delaney, and Lowth's ninth Prelection.


 
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