Psalms 104:7
At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
Original Language Analysis
מִן
At
H4480
מִן
At
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
יְנוּס֑וּן
they fled
H5127
יְנוּס֑וּן
they fled
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
3 of 7
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
מִן
At
H4480
מִן
At
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Cross References
Psalms 18:15Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.Proverbs 8:28When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:Mark 4:39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.Genesis 8:1And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;Psalms 106:9He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.
Historical Context
Thunder in ancient Israel was understood as God's voice (Ps 29), associated with theophanies and divine power. The fleeing waters recall God's judgment in the flood and deliverance at the Red Sea.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's word continue to exercise creative and transformative power in your life?
- What areas of chaos in your life need to flee at the rebuke of God's word?
Analysis & Commentary
At God's rebuke (ge'arah) and voice of thunder (qol ra'am), waters fled. This dramatic language personifies waters responding to divine command with fearful obedience. God's mere word reshapes creation. The 'rebuke' suggests authoritative correction of chaos. Christ demonstrated similar authority when He rebuked wind and waves (Mark 4:39). The Reformed emphasis on God's word as powerful and effectual recognizes that divine speech accomplishes God's purposes infallibly (Isa 55:11).