Psalm 77 18

Psalm 77:18 kjv

The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.

Psalm 77:18 nkjv

The voice of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; The lightnings lit up the world; The earth trembled and shook.

Psalm 77:18 niv

Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.

Psalm 77:18 esv

The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook.

Psalm 77:18 nlt

Your thunder roared from the whirlwind;
the lightning lit up the world!
The earth trembled and shook.

Psalm 77 verses

Psalm 77 18 Meaning

Psalm 77:18 powerfully depicts a theophany, a grand manifestation of God's presence and power. It describes God’s "voice of thunder" emanating from the celestial realm, His "lightnings" illuminating the entire earth, and the "earth itself" responding with trembling and shaking. This verse conveys the awesome, uncontrollable might of the Almighty God, asserting His dominion over all creation. It serves to remind the psalmist, and the reader, of God's unmatched strength and sovereignty, particularly in historical acts of salvation such as the Exodus.

Psalm 77 18 Context

Psalm 77 is a lament psalm by Asaph. It opens with the psalmist crying out to God in deep distress and spiritual anguish (vv. 1-6), grappling with feelings of abandonment and doubt about God's past promises and enduring faithfulness. He remembers God's "deeds of old" and "wonders" (vv. 11-12) as a means of seeking solace and reorienting his perspective. Verses 14-19 pivot to a magnificent, poetic recollection of God's powerful acts, specifically referencing the Exodus and the Red Sea crossing. Verse 18 is part of this powerful declaration, vividly portraying God's theophany (divine appearance) and His complete control over nature during the deliverance of Israel, serving as a reminder that God, though His "way is in the sea, and your path in the great waters" (v.19) and thus unseen, is actively at work, manifesting His formidable power and presence. This context is vital, as the described phenomena are not merely natural occurrences but are seen as direct manifestations of God's presence and intervention for His people, strengthening the psalmist’s faith in God’s unwavering power and redemptive purpose.

Psalm 77 18 Word analysis

• The voice (ק֥וֹל - qol): This Hebrew word refers to a sound, often a loud, commanding one. When used for God, it implies divine authority, declaration, and powerful manifestation, rather than mere noise. It is inherently connected to revelation and direct communication, underscoring God's active presence.
• of your thunder (רַעַמְךָ֮ - raʿamka): "Thunder" signifies overwhelming power, majesty, and often judgment or the announcement of a divine decree. It is one of the primary sensory evidences of God's formidable presence, deeply ingrained in Israelite theology from the Sinai event.
• was in the whirlwind (בַּגַּלְגַּ֖ל - bagaṯ·gal): The word galgal can mean "wheel," "whirl," "revolve," "chariot," or "circling clouds." While some translations prefer "heaven" or "circling motion," "whirlwind" fits the tempestuous imagery. It denotes a sphere of divine manifestation, a powerful atmospheric phenomenon or even God's cosmic "chariot" (like in Eze 1), from which He orchestrates His power, demonstrating His unseen yet forceful command over creation. This imagery subtly contrasts with contemporary storm gods (e.g., Baal) by attributing such power exclusively to Yahweh.
• your lightnings (בְּרָקִ֗ים - bĕrāqîm): These are visible, sudden, and powerful manifestations of divine power. They accompany thunder and can be both destructive and illuminating. In this context, they highlight the immediate and direct impact of God's power.
• lit up (הֵאִ֣ירוּ - he’iru): This verb means "to enlighten," "to shine," or "to illuminate." While part of a display of might, it also implies a revelation of God's presence or even direction (similar to the pillar of fire). It shows the pervasiveness of God’s manifestation.
• the world (תֵבֵ֗ל - tēḇêl): Refers to the inhabited earth, the entire global expanse. The lightnings' reach across the world emphasizes the universal scope of God's power and sovereignty, implying that all of creation acknowledges and is affected by Him.
• trembled (רָ֣גְזָה - ragăzāh): To be agitated, quaked, shaken. This indicates a profound, physical disturbance and often carries a connotation of fear, awe, or reverence in response to God's overwhelming presence or anger.
• and shook (וַתִּרְעַ֥שׁ - watirʿaš): To reel, totter, tremble, be convulsed. This reinforces ragaza (trembled), intensifying the description of the earth’s profound reaction. The doubling of synonyms emphasizes the sheer force and totality of the earth's response to God's majestic display, portraying a creation bowing in awe and subjection.
• the earth (הָאָֽרֶץ - hā’āreṣ): The entire land mass, representing all of creation. It demonstrates that the impact of God's power is not localized but global, universal.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind": This phrase paints an auditory and locational picture of God's transcendent power. It combines the overwhelming sound of divine authority with the mysterious and formidable atmosphere from which it originates. The specific location "in the whirlwind" signifies not merely a natural phenomenon but a vehicle or manifestation point of God's power, sometimes interpreted as a divine "chariot" or storm cloud that bears God's majesty.
• "Your lightnings lit up the world": This group shifts to a visual manifestation of God's omnipotence, emphasizing the brilliance, swiftness, and pervasive reach of His power. The lightnings do not just strike; they illuminate "the world," indicating that God's majestic display is witnessed globally, demonstrating His universal dominion and revealing His presence to all.
• "The earth trembled and shook": This final phrase conveys the profound, visceral reaction of all creation to God's manifestation. The dual verbs emphasize the intense, total upheaval of the earth, illustrating that creation itself acknowledges and bows to the overwhelming power of its Creator. It underscores the unparalleled might of God before whom all creation is subject and responsive.

Psalm 77 18 Bonus section

This verse carries strong polemical implications against ancient Near Eastern pagan deities, particularly the Canaanite god Baal, who was often associated with storm, thunder, and lightning. By attributing these powerful phenomena unequivocally to Yahweh ("your thunder," "your lightnings"), the psalmist asserts the singular, absolute sovereignty of the God of Israel over creation, contrasting with polytheistic beliefs where such powers were divided among multiple gods. Furthermore, the description in Psalm 77:18 connects God's power over creation directly to His redemptive acts for His people (e.g., at the Red Sea). This linkage highlights that God's control over nature is not arbitrary; it serves His divine purposes in salvation history. The imagery also functions as a literary device, escalating the drama and impact of God's intervention, allowing the reader to experience, even poetically, the grandeur and overwhelming presence of the Almighty God.

Psalm 77 18 Commentary

Psalm 77:18 offers a breathtaking snapshot of divine might, drawing upon classic biblical imagery of theophany that recurs throughout scripture, especially in depictions of the Exodus and Sinai. It portrays God not merely as powerful, but as the active, sovereign controller of cosmic forces. The auditory impact of "thunder" and the visual spectacle of "lightnings" convey an immediate and overwhelming sense of God’s presence and power, not just destructive but revelatory. The trembling and shaking of the "earth" signify that creation inherently recognizes and responds to the majesty of its Creator. This verse reassures the psalmist, caught in personal distress, that the God who historically intervened with such power remains unchanging. His way may be hidden (as suggested in v.19, "your way was in the sea"), but His power is indisputable and ever-present, capable of working even through seemingly impossible situations. It calls believers to trust in God's mighty arm even when His presence is not overtly visible, knowing He continues to orchestrate events in the natural and spiritual realms.

• Example 1: When facing overwhelming natural disasters, understanding this verse can redirect fear toward awe, recognizing God's ultimate sovereignty even amidst chaos.
• Example 2: In times of national or personal crisis, it reminds believers that the God who commands nature is also active in human history, able to deliver from any plight.