Psalm 97 4

Psalm 97:4 kjv

His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.

Psalm 97:4 nkjv

His lightnings light the world; The earth sees and trembles.

Psalm 97:4 niv

His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.

Psalm 97:4 esv

His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.

Psalm 97:4 nlt

His lightning flashes out across the world.
The earth sees and trembles.

Psalm 97 verses

Psalm 97 4 Meaning

Psalm 97:4 powerfully portrays the manifest presence and supreme power of God. When His divine majesty reveals itself, it is likened to rapid, illuminating flashes of lightning that sweep across and reveal the entire world. This awe-inspiring display of His sovereignty and brilliance causes the earth, and all within it, to witness His might and react with profound trepidation and convulsive trembling. The verse emphasizes the universal impact of God's presence and His undeniable authority over all creation.

Psalm 97 4 Context

Psalm 97 opens with the declaration, "The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice!" (Ps 97:1). This establishes a celebratory tone of Yahweh's enthronement and universal dominion. The verse directly precedes Ps 97:2 which states that "Clouds and thick darkness are all around Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne." This imagery sets the stage for God's fearsome yet just manifestation. Ps 97:3 adds that "Fire goes before Him and burns up His foes all around." In this sequence, Psalm 97:4 describes the immediate, widespread effect of this divine appearing. The "lightnings" are not random but a direct emission of God's majestic and powerful presence, illuminating the entire inhabited world and prompting a cosmic reaction of fear and trembling. The psalm functions as a polemic against the idols and false gods worshipped in the ancient Near East, particularly storm deities like Baal. By appropriating the powerful imagery of storms and the earth's reaction, the Psalmist declares Yahweh alone as the true cosmic sovereign before whom all creation must bow. The context moves from God's character and throne, to His manifestation, to the world's reaction, and culminates in His triumph over all idols.

Psalm 97 4 Word analysis

• His lightnings: (Heb. b'rakav, בְּרָקָיו). The noun baraq means "lightning" and often symbolizes the sudden, rapid, and destructive power of God. The possessive suffix "-av" (his) directly attributes these cosmic phenomena to God's immediate action and presence. Lightning here signifies both powerful revelation and immediate, irresistible force. It's a striking manifestation of divine glory and sometimes divine wrath, capable of revealing and executing God's will instantaneously across vast distances.
• lit up: (Heb. he'iru, הֵאִירוּ). This is the Hiphil form of the verb 'or, meaning "to shine" or "to give light." In the Hiphil, it means "to cause to shine" or "to illuminate." This denotes an active, illuminating effect. The lightnings are not merely a display but an act of revealing or making something visible, emphasizing the global scale of God's self-disclosure. It suggests that nothing can hide from His light, making all things known.
• the world: (Heb. tevel, תֵבֵל). This term specifically refers to the inhabited or cultivated earth, often emphasizing its global and universal reach. It differentiates from 'eretz (land/earth) which can have broader or more localized meanings. Using tevel here accentuates the universal scope of God's lightnings – impacting all humanity and all lands. It stresses that God's manifestation is not confined to one place but is recognized universally.
• the earth: (Heb. ha'aretz, הָאָרֶץ). This refers to the physical earth, the ground, or the entire planet. While tevel suggests the inhabited aspect, ha'aretz emphasizes the physical substance of creation. The use of both terms within the verse (first tevel, then ha'aretz) intensifies the comprehensive nature of the impact, signifying that not only the populated regions but the very fabric of the planet responds to God's presence.
• saw: (Heb. ra'atah, רָאֲתָה). From the verb ra'ah ("to see"), this denotes perception or observation. The earth is personified, implying that creation itself bears witness to the Lord's power. This witnessing is not passive but leads directly to a profound reaction.
• and trembled: (Heb. va'takhel, וַתָּחֶל). This word comes from the root chul (חול), which can mean to whirl, twist, dance, writhe, be in anguish, or tremble. The Niphal stem, coupled with the "and," signifies an immediate and involuntary reaction. It is a powerful word indicating deep perturbation, fear, agony, or convulsion. The trembling is not just a slight shake but a deep, visceral, and perhaps violent upheaval in response to the overwhelming manifestation of God's glory and power.

Words-group analysis:

• His lightnings lit up the world: This phrase emphasizes the instantaneous and all-encompassing nature of God's revelation. His power is not distant or hidden; it actively, brightly, and immediately illuminates every corner of the inhabited earth, leaving no place for concealment or ignorance. It implies a divine "lighting up" that exposes truth and exercises judgment.
• the earth saw and trembled: This two-part reaction signifies both cosmic awareness and cosmic dread. The personification of the earth "seeing" conveys that God's power is not just abstract but observably manifested to creation. The resulting "trembling" captures the overwhelming and fear-inducing effect of such a powerful revelation, suggesting that no part of creation can stand unmoved or unawed in God's presence. This emphasizes creation's utter subordination to its Creator.

Psalm 97 4 Bonus section

The imagery in Psalm 97:4 resonates deeply with traditional Biblical depictions of divine presence, particularly at Mount Sinai (Exod 19) and in the prophets. The lightning is not simply a weather phenomenon, but an extension of God's divine action, a manifestation of His very being. This "fear" or "trembling" of the earth is a consistent theme whenever God's unmediated presence breaks into the natural order, showcasing that creation recognizes and responds to the majesty of its Maker. This trembling reaction serves as a powerful spiritual analogy for humanity: just as the earth trembles, so should human hearts be moved to awe and reverence in the face of God's revealed truth and power, leading either to humble submission or terrified judgment. The Psalmists often used cosmic language to underscore the universal reign of Yahweh over all rival deities.

Psalm 97 4 Commentary

Psalm 97:4 vividly captures the awesome, overwhelming nature of God's active reign. It describes a cosmic theophany, where the display of divine power, symbolized by lightnings, illuminates the entire "world" (tevel), leaving no part of the inhabited creation untouched or unaware. This illumination is not merely physical light, but also the light of divine truth, justice, and judgment, exposing all things before His radiant presence. The subsequent reaction – the earth "saw and trembled" – underscores the inherent, terrified submission of creation before its Creator. This trembling is more than a physical shaking; it's a profound, visceral response of awe, fear, and even pain at the uncontainable might of God. The verse affirms that God's power is immediate, global, and profoundly impactful, serving as a direct counter-statement to any ancient or modern worldview that would diminish His sovereignty or suggest His absence.