Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 97:5
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
5. From Mic 1:4; Mic 4:13; cp. Zec 4:14; Zec 6:5. The dissolution of the most solid and ancient parts of the earth is the expression of its terror and the measure of His power. Cp. Hab 3:6.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord – They seemed to flow down as if they were like melted wax: that is, they could not stand before him. The most firm, solid, lofty things were as nothing in his presence. Compare Rev 20:11; Jdg 5:5; Mic 1:4; Nah 1:5. The object here is to describe the sublimity, the greatness, the majesty of God, as if nothing could stand before him; as if everything fled away when he approached. There is perhaps a general allusion to his glory and power as manifested at Sinai.
At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth – The Creator and Ruler of the entire world. The God who thus manifested himself is not a local Deity, or the God of a particular nation or country, but the God of the whole world, before whom all created things are as nothing.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 5. The hills melted like wax] The fire of God seized on and liquefied them, so that they no longer opposed his march; and the mountains before him became a plain.
The Lord of the whole earth.] adon col haarets, the Director, Stay, and Support of the whole earth. The universal Governor, whose jurisdiction is not confined to any one place; but who, having created all, governs all that he has made.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The hills; the strongest and loftiest parts of the earth; whereby he may understand the great potentates of the world who set themselves against the Messias.
The Lord of the whole earth; whose dominion shall not then be confined in Canaan, as now in a manner it is, but shall be enlarged over the whole earth.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord,…. Kimchi interprets the “hills” of the kings of the wicked; and it was verified in Herod and his nobles, and the citizens of Jerusalem, who, when they heard of the coming of the Messiah, of the birth of the King of the Jews, were exceedingly moved and troubled; their hearts melted like wax within them, Mt 2:1, so when he appeared, in the power of his Gospel, in the Gentile world, and went forth in the ministration of it, conquering, and to conquer, all fled before him; every mountain and island were moved out of their places; and the kings of the earth, and great men, ran to the rocks to hide them from his face, which they could not bear, Re 6:14, and the like events, and more terrible, will they be, when he comes to destroy antichrist, and especially to judge the world, Re 16:19
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth; as Christ is; he is Lord of all, the Prince of the kings of the earth, Ac 10:36 Re 1:5, and as he will show himself to be at the great day; and that is the reason why the proud and lofty, comparable to hills and mountains, shall melt at his presence.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(5) The hills melted.Comp. Psa. 68:8, Note: Mic. 1:4.
The Lord of the whole earth.An expression first met with exactly in Jos. 3:11-13, though Abraham speaks of God as judge of the whole earth (Gen. 18:25). (Comp. Mic. 4:13; Zec. 4:10; Zec. 6:5.) Though Jehovah was the tribal God, yet in marked distinction to surrounding tribes Israel regarded Him as having universal dominion.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. At the presence Literally, from before the face. See, in a humbler sense, the terror of countenance, Mat 28:3-4
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 97:5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
Ver. 5. The hills melted like wax ] Nothing shall be so stout and steady as to be able to stand before them.
Before the Lord
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
presence. See note on Psa 95:2.
THE Lord. Hebrew Adon. App-4. Specially connected with His rule in the earth. Occurs in Jos 3:11, Jos 3:13; Jos 5:14, and Zec 6:5.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
hills: Jdg 5:4, Jdg 5:5, Isa 24:19, Isa 24:20, Isa 64:1, Isa 64:2, Mic 1:3, Mic 1:4, Nah 1:5, Hab 3:6
the Lord of: Psa 47:2, Psa 83:18, Isa 54:5, Mic 4:13, Zec 4:14, Mar 11:3, 1Co 1:2
Reciprocal: Psa 46:6 – earth Psa 50:3 – it shall Psa 68:2 – as wax Psa 95:4 – the strength of the hills is his also Psa 104:32 – looketh Psa 114:7 – Tremble Psa 148:9 – Mountains Amo 9:13 – the hills Hab 3:10 – mountains 2Pe 3:10 – melt