The mountains saw thee, [and] they trembled
At the power and presence of God, as Sinai of old; (See Gill on Habakkuk 3:6) by which are signified mighty people and nations, kings and great men, struck with terror at the amazing providence of God in the world, on the behalf of his own people, and against their enemies; see ( Revelation 6:14-17 ) : the overflowing of the water passed by;
which is usually referred to the overflowing of the river Jordan at the time of the passage of the Israelites through it, when the waters above stood and rose up as a heap, and those below failed, and were cut off, and passed away into the salt sea, ( Joshua 3:15 Joshua 3:16 ) but perhaps it may refer to the times of David, when he conquered all his enemies round about, who were like an overflowing flood; but now passed away, particularly the Philistines, who had always been very troublesome to Israel, but now were overcome by David at Baalperazim; where the Lord, on the contrary, broke forth upon his enemies as the breach of waters, from whence the place had its name, ( 2 Samuel 5:20 ) and as this respects time that was then to come, when this prayer was made, it may regard the flood of persecution, which ceased in Constantine's time, when Paganism was abolished, and Christianity established; concerning which it might be said, "the winter is past, the rain is over and gone", ( Song of Solomon 2:11 ) and the word
``"the deep uttered his voice": the inhabitants of the earth praised him; "the height lifted up his hands"; the host of heaven confessed unto him;''every creature in heaven, on the earth, and under the earth, and in the sea, ascribed blessing, honour, glory, and power, to the Lord on this occasion, ( Revelation 5:13 ) . The Targum is,
``the powers on high stood wondering;''amazed at what was done, and lifted up their hands with astonishment.