Psalm 68:8
New International Version
the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

New Living Translation
the earth trembled, and the heavens poured down rain before you, the God of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

English Standard Version
the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
the earth shook and the heavens poured down rain before God, the One on Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

King James Bible
The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

New King James Version
The earth shook; The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
The earth quaked; The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

NASB 1995
The earth quaked; The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

NASB 1977
The earth quaked; The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
The earth quaked; The heavens also dripped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

Amplified Bible
The earth trembled; The heavens also poured down rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself trembled at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
the earth trembled and the skies poured rain before God, the God of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the earth trembled and the skies poured down rain before God, the God of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

American Standard Version
The earth trembled, The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God: Yon Sinai trembled at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
God of Israel, the earth trembled, and rain poured down. You alone are the God who rules from Mount Sinai.

English Revised Version
The earth trembled, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even yon Sinai trembled at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
the earth quaked and the sky poured in the presence of the God of Sinai, in the presence of the God of Israel.

Good News Translation
the earth shook, and the sky poured down rain, because of the coming of the God of Sinai, the coming of the God of Israel.

International Standard Version
the land quaked. Indeed, the heavens poured down rain from the presence of God, this God of Sinai, from the presence of God, the God of Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
the earth shook and the heavens poured down rain before God, the One on Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

NET Bible
the earth shakes, yes, the heavens pour down rain before God, the God of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

New Heart English Bible
The earth trembled. The sky also poured down rain at the presence of the God of Sinai--at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

World English Bible
The earth trembled. The sky also poured down rain at the presence of the God of Sinai— at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The earth has shaken, "" Indeed, the heavens have dropped before God, "" This Sinai—before God, the God of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
The earth hath shaken, Yea, the heavens have dropped before God, This Sinai -- before God, the God of Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
The earth shook, also the heavens dropped from the face of God, this Sinai from the face of God, the God of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The earth was moved, and the heavens dropped at the presence of the God of Sina, at the presence of the God of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
the earth was moved, for the heavens rained down before the face of the God of Sinai, before the face of the God of Israel.

New American Bible
The earth quaked, the heavens poured, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The earth shook, the heavens also lowered at the presence of God; even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The Earth shook and the Heavens dropped from before God; this Mount Sinai from before God, the God of Israel!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The earth trembled, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God; Even yon Sinai trembled at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
the earth quaked, yea, the heavens dropped water at the presence of the God of Sina, at the presence of the God of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Enemies Are Scattered
7O God, when You went out before Your people, when You marched through the wasteland, Selah 8the earth shook and the heavens poured down rain before God, the One on Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. 9You sent abundant rain, O God; You refreshed Your weary inheritance.…

Cross References
Exodus 19:18
Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

Judges 5:4-5
O LORD, when You went out from Seir, when You marched from the land of Edom, the earth trembled, the heavens poured out rain, and the clouds poured down water. / The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai, before the LORD, the God of Israel.

Habakkuk 3:3-6
God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens, and His praise filled the earth. / His radiance was like the sunlight; rays flashed from His hand, where His power is hidden. / Plague went before Him, and fever followed in His steps. ...

Deuteronomy 33:2
He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand.

Isaiah 64:1-3
If only You would rend the heavens and come down, so that mountains would quake at Your presence, / as fire kindles the brushwood and causes the water to boil, to make Your name known to Your enemies, so that the nations will tremble at Your presence! / When You did awesome works that we did not expect, You came down, and the mountains trembled at Your presence.

Nahum 1:5
The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles at His presence—the world and all its dwellers.

Micah 1:3-4
For behold, the LORD comes forth from His dwelling place; He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth. / The mountains will melt beneath Him, and the valleys will split apart, like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope.

Psalm 77:16-18
The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken. / The clouds poured down water; the skies resounded with thunder; Your arrows flashed back and forth. / Your thunder resounded in the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.

Psalm 114:4-7
the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. / Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back, / O mountains, that you skipped like rams, O hills, like lambs? ...

Isaiah 64:1
If only You would rend the heavens and come down, so that mountains would quake at Your presence,

Revelation 11:19
Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

Revelation 16:18
And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake the likes of which had not occurred since men were upon the earth—so mighty was the great quake.

Matthew 27:51
At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split.

Hebrews 12:26
At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.”

Acts 4:31
After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.


Treasury of Scripture

The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

earth

Psalm 77:18
The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.

Psalm 114:7
Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;

Isaiah 64:1,3
Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, …

the heavens

Judges 5:4
LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.

Sinai

Exodus 19:16,18
And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled…

Deuteronomy 5:23-25
And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders; …

the God

Psalm 68:35
O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

Psalm 41:13
Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

Isaiah 45:3
And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

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Dropped Earth Heavens Israel Itself Moved Poured Presence Present Quaked Rain Shaken Shaking Shook Sinai Sky Streaming Trembled Yon
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Dropped Earth Heavens Israel Itself Moved Poured Presence Present Quaked Rain Shaken Shaking Shook Sinai Sky Streaming Trembled Yon
Psalm 68
1. A prayer at the removing of the ark
4. An exhortation to praise God for his mercies
7. for his care of the church
19. for his great works














the earth shook
The phrase "the earth shook" evokes a powerful image of God's presence and might. In Hebrew, the word for "shook" is "רָעַשׁ" (ra'ash), which conveys a sense of trembling or quaking. This imagery is often associated with divine intervention or theophany, where God's presence is so overwhelming that it causes the very foundations of the earth to tremble. Historically, this can be linked to events like the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, where the earth literally quaked as God descended upon the mountain (Exodus 19:18). This shaking signifies God's authority and the awe-inspiring nature of His presence.

the heavens poured down rain
The phrase "the heavens poured down rain" suggests a divine blessing and provision. In Hebrew, "שָׁמַיִם" (shamayim) refers to the heavens or sky, and "נָטַף" (nataph) means to drip or pour. Rain in the biblical context is often seen as a sign of God's favor and sustenance, crucial for agriculture and life in the arid regions of the Near East. This imagery can also be symbolic of spiritual refreshment and renewal, as God's presence brings life-giving sustenance to His people. The pouring rain can be seen as a metaphor for God's abundant grace and mercy.

before God
The repetition of "before God" emphasizes the centrality of God's presence in the events described. The Hebrew word "לִפְנֵי" (lifnei) means "before" or "in the presence of." This phrase underscores the idea that all creation responds to the presence of the Almighty. It is a reminder of God's sovereignty and the reverence due to Him. The repetition also serves to highlight the personal relationship between God and His people, as they stand in awe before Him.

the One of Sinai
"the One of Sinai" refers to God as the divine presence at Mount Sinai, where He revealed Himself to the Israelites and gave them the Law. Sinai is a significant location in biblical history, symbolizing God's covenant with His people. The Hebrew word "סִינַי" (Sinai) is associated with the theophany where God descended in fire and smoke, and His voice thundered from the mountain (Exodus 19:16-19). This phrase reminds the reader of God's holiness, His law, and His direct interaction with humanity.

before God, the God of Israel
The phrase "before God, the God of Israel" reaffirms the identity of God as the covenantal deity of the Israelites. The Hebrew term "אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל" (Elohei Yisrael) emphasizes God's special relationship with Israel, His chosen people. This designation not only highlights God's faithfulness to His promises but also His role as the protector and guide of Israel. It serves as a reminder of the unique bond between God and His people, rooted in history and covenant, and calls the faithful to trust in His enduring presence and power.

Verse 8. - The earth shook, the heavens also dropped, at the presence of God (see Exodus 19:16-18; Deuteronomy 5:22, 23). The "dropping" of the heavens was the descent of a thick thundercloud upon the mount, which rested upon it, and spread around a dense and weird darkness. Even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God; literally, yonder Sinai, as if it were in sight, and could be pointed at. The God of Israel. Our God, who did all these great things for us.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
the earth
אֶ֤רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

shook
רָעָ֨שָׁה ׀ (rā·‘ā·šāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7493: To undulate, through fear, to spring

and
אַף־ (’ap̄-)
Conjunction
Strong's 637: Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though

the heavens
שָׁמַ֣יִם (šā·ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

poured down [rain]
נָטְפוּ֮ (nā·ṭə·p̄ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5197: To ooze, distil gradually, to fall in drops, to speak by inspiration

before
מִפְּנֵ֪י (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

God,
אֱלֹ֫הִ֥ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

the One
זֶ֥ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

[on] Sinai,
סִינַ֑י (sî·nay)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5514: Sinai -- the mountain where the law was given

before
מִפְּנֵ֥י (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

God,
אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֥י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT Poetry: Psalm 68:8 The earth trembled (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 68:7
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