Psalms 77:18
The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
Original Language Analysis
בַּגַּלְגַּ֗ל
was in the heaven
H1534
בַּגַּלְגַּ֗ל
was in the heaven
Strong's:
H1534
Word #:
3 of 9
a wheel; by analogy, a whirlwind; also dust (as whirled)
הֵאִ֣ירוּ
lightened
H215
הֵאִ֣ירוּ
lightened
Strong's:
H215
Word #:
4 of 9
to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)
בְרָקִ֣ים
the lightnings
H1300
בְרָקִ֣ים
the lightnings
Strong's:
H1300
Word #:
5 of 9
lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword
תֵּבֵ֑ל
the world
H8398
תֵּבֵ֑ל
the world
Strong's:
H8398
Word #:
6 of 9
the earth (as moist and therefore inhabited); by extension, the globe; by implication, its inhabitants; specifically, a particular land, as babylonia,
רָגְזָ֖ה
trembled
H7264
רָגְזָ֖ה
trembled
Strong's:
H7264
Word #:
7 of 9
to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)
Historical Context
The combination of thunder, lightning, and earthquake marks major divine interventions: Sinai (Exodus 19:16-18), David's deliverance (2 Samuel 22:8-15 = Psalm 18:7-15), and eschatological judgment (Revelation 8:5, 11:19, 16:18). These phenomena manifest the Creator's power over creation. The exodus climax merges sea-crossing with theophanic imagery, portraying redemption as cosmic transformation. The Psalter uses this language to assure Israel that the God who acted then can act again now.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does creation itself (waters, clouds, earth) respond to God's presence with fear and trembling?
- How should these images of cosmic upheaval inform our understanding of God's power and majesty?
- How do Christ's resurrection (Matthew 28:2) and return (Matthew 24:27-30) connect to these theophanic phenomena?
Analysis & Commentary
The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven (קוֹל רַעַמְךָ בַּגַּלְגַּל). Ra'am (רַעַם) is thunder. Galgal (גַּלְגַּל) literally means wheel or whirlwind—possibly the rolling thunder or the circular motion of the storm. Thunder is God's voice declaring His majesty and power (Job 37:2-5, Psalm 29:3-9). At Sinai, thunder accompanied God's speaking the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19:16, 20:18).
The lightnings lightened the world (הֵאִירוּ בְרָקִים תֵּבֵל). Baraq (בָּרָק) is lightning. Or (אוֹר) means to give light, illuminate. Tevel (תֵּבֵל) is the inhabited earth, the world. Lightning flashes illuminated the entire landscape. The earth trembled and shook (רָגְזָה וַתִּרְעַשׁ הָאָרֶץ). Both ragaz (רָגַז) and ra'ash (רָעַשׁ) mean to quake, tremble, shake. The earth itself responds to God's presence with seismic fear. This cosmic upheaval demonstrates that creation recognizes and submits to its Creator.