Psalm 104 7

Psalm 104:7 kjv

At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.

Psalm 104:7 nkjv

At Your rebuke they fled; At the voice of Your thunder they hastened away.

Psalm 104:7 niv

But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;

Psalm 104:7 esv

At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.

Psalm 104:7 nlt

At your command, the water fled;
at the sound of your thunder, it hurried away.

Psalm 104 verses

Psalm 104 7 Meaning

Psalm 104:7 describes the immediate and absolute response of the primeval waters to God's command. It pictures the deep, chaotic waters that covered the earth as retreating in haste, like terrified beings fleeing from an irresistible authority. This verse powerfully illustrates God's sovereign control and creative power in establishing the ordered cosmos.

Psalm 104 7 Context

Psalm 104 is a hymn of praise dedicated to Yahweh as the Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos. It closely mirrors the creative acts described in Genesis 1, elaborating on God's design, power, and wisdom in ordering the universe. Verses 5-9 focus on the establishment of the earth's foundations and the containment of the primeval waters. Verse 7 specifically refers to the moment during creation when the deep waters, which previously covered everything, retreated to their appointed places (oceans, seas) at God's forceful command. In the ancient Near Eastern context, many cultures had myths where the chaotic primeval waters (often personified as gods or monsters) had to be defeated by a creator deity. Psalm 104 provides a polemic against such beliefs by presenting Yahweh as the sole, effortless Commander of these waters, without any struggle or battle; His mere rebuke is sufficient.

Psalm 104 7 Word analysis

• At thy rebuke (מִגַּעֲרָתְךָ - mi-ga'arathekha):
  • "At" (mi-): Indicates the immediate and direct cause; the action follows directly from God's rebuke.
  • "thy rebuke" (ga'arah): A strong word implying a powerful, authoritative censure or reprimand. It denotes a sharp, decisive, and compelling command from God. In biblical usage, God's "rebuke" is effective, bringing chaos into order, often seen when God intervenes to quell natural forces (Nahum 1:4), expel evil spirits (Zech 3:2), or overcome enemies (Isa 17:13). Here, it's the divine verbal force that sends the waters scurrying.
• they fled (יְנוּסוּן - yanusun):
  • Refers to the waters from the preceding verses, personified as responding like fearful entities.
  • Implies a rapid, hasty retreat, a movement under compulsion and fear. The primeval chaotic waters are not just moving, but actively running away from God's presence and command.
• at the voice (מִקּוֹל - mi-kol):
  • Again, "at" or "from" highlights the direct causative power.
  • "the voice" (kol): Emphasizes the verbal, auditory manifestation of God's power. It's not just a physical force, but a decree, a word of command, as in Genesis 1 ("God said"). This highlights the intelligent and volitional aspect of creation.
• thy thunder (רַעַמְךָ - ra'amkhe):
  • "thunder" (ra'am): A sound typically associated with overwhelming power, theophany, and divine judgment or action. God's voice is likened to thunder (Ps 29), signifying His majesty, awe-inspiring might, and irresistibility. It reinforces the idea of a potent, formidable presence.
• they hasted away (יֵחָפֵזוּן - yachpezzun):
  • A parallel verb to "fled," intensifying the swiftness and urgency of the waters' retreat. It means to hurry, rush, or be put to flight in a flurry. It reinforces the idea of immediate and complete obedience to the divine command.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "At thy rebuke... at the voice of thy thunder": This forms a powerful parallelism. Both phrases attribute the dramatic retreat of the waters directly to God's verbal command. "Rebuke" speaks to the authority and immediate silencing of chaos, while "voice of thunder" emphasizes the might and awesome nature of that command. This shows God's control is both authoritative (rebuke) and overwhelming (thunder).
• "they fled... they hasted away": Another parallel structure emphasizing the total and instant effect of God's command. The repetition and synonymity underscore the waters' swift, compelled, and complete evacuation from the land, moving from a state of chaos to one of order and containment.

Psalm 104 7 Bonus section

The personification of the waters in this verse—fleeing and hasting away as if with conscious terror—serves to highlight the supreme majesty of God. It's not merely a physical process but a dramatic, fearful reaction of even inanimate elements to their Creator. This depiction underscores the theological truth that nothing in creation can withstand God's command. Furthermore, the parallel imagery of God rebuking and taming chaos resonates through salvation history, finding fulfillment in Christ's authority over storms and evil (Mk 4:39), foreshadowing the ultimate establishment of perfect order and peace in the New Creation. This verse firmly grounds the foundation of order in the universe in God's mighty word, an eternal truth relevant to all aspects of existence.

Psalm 104 7 Commentary

Psalm 104:7 presents a vivid image of God's majestic and effortless power at creation. It portrays the primal waters, which previously dominated the earth, not as conquered through struggle, but as submitting immediately and fearfully to the Creator's word. The dual expression of "rebuke" and "voice of thunder" signifies God's absolute authority and overwhelming might. This verse highlights that the orderly cosmos we inhabit is not a result of chance or conflict with opposing forces, but an instant, obedient response to the powerful, spoken word of a sovereign God. This fundamental truth about God's creative power also testifies to His ongoing ability to control all things.