Psalms 135:7
He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
Original Language Analysis
מַֽעֲלֶ֣ה
to ascend
H5927
מַֽעֲלֶ֣ה
to ascend
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 10
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
נְשִׂאִים֮
He causeth the vapours
H5387
נְשִׂאִים֮
He causeth the vapours
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
בְּרָקִ֣ים
lightnings
H1300
בְּרָקִ֣ים
lightnings
Strong's:
H1300
Word #:
5 of 10
lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword
עָשָׂ֑ה
he maketh
H6213
עָשָׂ֑ה
he maketh
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
7 of 10
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מֽוֹצֵא
he bringeth
H3318
מֽוֹצֵא
he bringeth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
8 of 10
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
Cross References
Jeremiah 10:13When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.Jeremiah 51:16When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.Zechariah 10:1Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.John 3:8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.Psalms 148:8Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
Historical Context
This verse is virtually identical to Jeremiah 10:13 and 51:16, suggesting either common liturgical source or deliberate quotation. Baal worship, prevalent in Canaan, centered on the storm god believed to control rain and agricultural fertility. By attributing weather phenomena to Yahweh, Israel directly challenged Baal's supposed domain.
Questions for Reflection
- How do natural phenomena like weather remind you of God's creative power?
- What aspects of creation most powerfully declare God's glory to you?
Analysis & Commentary
God's sovereignty over nature receives poetic elaboration through meteorological phenomena: vapours rising, lightning flashing, wind emerging from divine 'treasuries' (otsarotav). The Hebrew 'nesi'im' (vapours, mists) describes water vapor ascending from earth's extremities - a process ancients observed but could not explain scientifically. The phrase 'lightnings for the rain' captures the connection between electrical storms and precipitation. Most striking is the image of wind stored in God's treasuries, suggesting divine storehouses from which He dispenses atmospheric forces. This language, nearly identical to Jeremiah 10:13, portrays God as cosmic manager with unlimited resources. Weather, often feared and worshiped by pagans (Baal was a storm god), is merely a tool in Yahweh's hand. Jesus demonstrated this same authority when He rebuked wind and waves (Mark 4:39).