Psalms 68:8

8 The 1earth quaked; The 2heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; 3Sinai itself quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

Psalms 68:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 68:8

The earth shook
Not only about Sinai, but in other places; see ( Psalms 114:1 Psalms 114:4 Psalms 114:6 Psalms 114:7 ) ( Habakkuk 3:6 Habakkuk 3:10 ) . It may also design the dread and trembling of the inhabitants of the earth, when they heard of the wonderful things God did for his people, ( Exodus 15:14-16 ) ;

the heavens also dropped at the presence of God;
the Targum supplies, dew; to which may be added, quails and manna: though it rather seems to design a large shower of rain, which followed the lightning and thunder, when the law was given;

[even] Sinai itself [was moved] at the presence of God, the God of
Israel:
it is said to quake greatly, ( Exodus 19:18 ) . The words of this verse and ( Psalms 68:7 ) seem to be borrowed out of the song of Deborah, ( Judges 5:4 Judges 5:5 ) . Like effects followed the promulgation of the Gospel, even a shaking of the heavens and of the earth as an emblem of the removing of the ceremonial rites and Mosaic ordinances. Let it be observed, that Christ, who went before the Israelites in the wilderness, and whom they tempted and rebelled against, is called the God of Israel.

Psalms 68:8 In-Context

6 God makes a home for the lonely; He leads out the prisoners into prosperity, Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
7 O God, when You went forth before Your people, When You marched through the wilderness, Selah.
8 The earth quaked; The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 You shed abroad a plentiful rain, O God; You confirmed Your inheritance when it was parched.
10 Your creatures settled in it; You provided in Your goodness for the poor, O God.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Exodus 19:18; Judges 5:4; 2 Samuel 22:8; Psalms 77:18; Jeremiah 10:10
  • 2. Judges 5:4; Psalms 18:9; Isaiah 45:8
  • 3. Exodus 19:18; Judges 5:5

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Lit "This is Sinai" which
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.