Psalms 68:8

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֶ֤רֶץ
H776
The earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#2
רָעָ֨שָׁה׀
H7493
shook
to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.; also a field of grain), particularly through fear; specifically, to spring (as a locust)
#3
אַף
H637
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
#4
שָׁמַ֣יִם
H8064
the heavens
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#5
נָטְפוּ֮
H5197
also dropped
to ooze, i.e., distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak by inspiration
#6
מִפְּנֵ֥י
H6440
at the presence
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#7
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
H430
of God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#8
זֶ֥ה
H2088
itself
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#9
סִינַ֑י
H5514
even Sinai
sinai, mountain of arabia
#10
מִפְּנֵ֥י
H6440
at the presence
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#11
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
H430
of God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#12
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
H430
of God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#13
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

The worship and praise theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on worship and praise particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection