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melting mountains

Psalm 97:1-5 (JDV)

Psalm 97:1 Yahveh reigns! Let the land rejoice; let the many coasts and islands be glad.
Psalm 97:2 Clouds and total darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Psalm 97:3 Fire walks before him and burns up his foes on every side.
Psalm 97:4 His lightning lights up the world; the land sees and trembles.
Psalm 97:5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of Yahveh – at the presence of the Lord of the whole land.

melting mountains

Seif and Blank write of this passage: “Describing the invisible, within the parameters of a covenant that prohibits the making of images for Deity, is a challenge. The poet begins with “clouds and darkness” (2)— recalling the scene when God descended onto Mount Sinai. He adds fire — like the fire that never consumed; the bush, yet does burn up “His adversaries on every side” (3). Then “lightning lights up the world” (4)— a stunning display of His sudden splendor! This display calls for a response of awe, as “mountains melt” (5) as His presence approaches.

LORD, may we respond to your presence with humility and reverence, like the mountains.

Seif, Jeffrey L., Blank, Glenn, and Paul Wilbur. TLV Psalms with Commentary: Hope and Healing in the Hebrew Scriptures. S.l.: Destiny Image Messianic, 2013.