We should stand in awe of God’s might and reverence His holiness.
In Psalm 114:7, the psalmist declares, “Tremble, O earth, before the Lord, Before the God of Jacob” (v.7), invoking a vivid image of creation itself quaking in awe of its Creator. The verb “tremble” conveys a powerful reminder that when the presence of the Lord is acknowledged, even the seemingly steadfast foundations of the world stand in reverent fear. The phrase “the God of Jacob” calls to mind His covenant relationship with Jacob, who lived around the early second millennium BC and was later renamed Israel, fathering the twelve tribes that formed the nation of Israel. The psalm writer wants to highlight not only God’s authority over nature but also His personal commitment to His chosen people.
This verse continues the theme from the earlier parts of Psalm 114, where the writer recalls Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and other extraordinary acts of God. By referencing “the God of Jacob” (v.7), the psalmist underscores that He is the same God who protected and guided Jacob through many trials. This historical connection echoes later New Testament affirmations that no force in heaven or on earth can stand against the Lord’s sovereign power, reminding believers that the same God who caused the earth to tremble at the Red Sea (Psalm 114:3) wields authority today (Romans 8:31).
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Psalms 114:7 meaning
In Psalm 114:7, the psalmist declares, “Tremble, O earth, before the Lord, Before the God of Jacob” (v.7), invoking a vivid image of creation itself quaking in awe of its Creator. The verb “tremble” conveys a powerful reminder that when the presence of the Lord is acknowledged, even the seemingly steadfast foundations of the world stand in reverent fear. The phrase “the God of Jacob” calls to mind His covenant relationship with Jacob, who lived around the early second millennium BC and was later renamed Israel, fathering the twelve tribes that formed the nation of Israel. The psalm writer wants to highlight not only God’s authority over nature but also His personal commitment to His chosen people.
This verse continues the theme from the earlier parts of Psalm 114, where the writer recalls Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and other extraordinary acts of God. By referencing “the God of Jacob” (v.7), the psalmist underscores that He is the same God who protected and guided Jacob through many trials. This historical connection echoes later New Testament affirmations that no force in heaven or on earth can stand against the Lord’s sovereign power, reminding believers that the same God who caused the earth to tremble at the Red Sea (Psalm 114:3) wields authority today (Romans 8:31).