Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 68:8
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.
8. shook ] R.V. trembled.
dropped ] Torrents of rain accompanied the thunders and lightnings. Cp. Psa 77:17 f.
at the presence of God ] Cp. Psa 68:1-4.
even Sinai itself was moved] R.V., Even yon Sinai (trembled). The words yon Sinai come in somewhat abruptly here, while in Judges they follow quite naturally upon the clause “the mountains quaked.” A verb however can be supplied from the first line, and there is no need to alter the text.
the God of Israel ] The use of this title here is significant. It was from Sinai that the covenant-relation between Jehovah and His people dated. Cp. Exo 24:8; Exo 24:10.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The earth shook – See Exo 19:16-18.
The heavens also dropped at the presence of God – That is, dropped down rain and food. The idea is that the very heavens seemed to be shaken or convulsed, so that rain and food were shaken down – as ripe fruit falls from a tree that is shaken. Compare the notes at Isa 34:4. So also, Isa 64:1-3. The meaning is not that the heavens themselves dropped down, but that they dropped or distilled rain and food.
Even Sinai itself was moved – This was true; but this does not seem to be the idea intended here, for the words even and was moved are not in the original. The Hebrew is, literally, This Sinai; meaning probably this was at Sinai, or, this took place at Sinai. The correct translation perhaps would be, The heavens distilled rain at the presence of God, this at Sinai, at the presence of God.
At the presence of God, the God of Israel – The whole region seemed to be moved and awed at the presence of God, or when he came down to visit his people. The earth and the heavens, all seemed to be in commotion.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
The earth; either,
1. Metonymically, the inhabitants of those parts of the earth, by comparing Exo 15:14. Or,
2. Properly, by comparing Psa 114:5-7. There was a great earthquake, as a token of Gods dreadful presence.
Dropped, i.e. poured down great showers, which accompanied those mighty thunders, as usually it doth. Was moved; or, dropped; which may be repeated out, of the former clause; was even melted or dissolved with fear. It is a poetical representation of the terribleness of Gods appearance.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
8. even Sinai itselfliterally,”that Sinai,” as in Jud5:5.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
The earth shook,…. Not only about Sinai, but in other places; see Ps 114:1. It may also design the dread and trembling of the inhabitants of the earth, when they heard of the wonderful things God did for his people, Ex 15:14;
the heavens also dropped at the presence of God; the Targum supplies, dew; to which may be added, quails and manna: though it rather seems to design a large shower of rain, which followed the lightning and thunder, when the law was given;
[even] Sinai itself [was moved] at the presence of God, the God of Israel: it is said to quake greatly, Ex 19:18. The words of this verse and Ps 68:7 seem to be borrowed out of the song of Deborah, Jud 5:4. Like effects followed the promulgation of the Gospel, even a shaking of the heavens and of the earth as an emblem of the removing of the ceremonial rites and Mosaic ordinances. Let it be observed, that Christ, who went before the Israelites in the wilderness, and whom they tempted and rebelled against, is called the God of Israel.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
8. The heavens dropped That is, distilled. The accusative of the thing “ dropped,” namely, water, must be here understood. In the parallel place, Jdg 5:4, the same word is used, and supplemented by “the clouds also dropped water.” In Psa 68:9 it is explained by plentiful rain, where the word rendered plentiful, (Hebrews plural, plentifulnesses,) not only denotes copiousness, but regularity, as if both a liberal and stated supply were given. Furst’s rendering of , ( geshom nedaboth,) by “ rain of libations, that is, of plentiful gifts of manna,” is totally inadmissible. In Psa 77:17-18, the same is described as a copious rain, “the clouds poured out water,” accompanied with thunder and lightning. Much of the region about Sinai is fertile in its numerous wadies, and formerly more so than now. Plentiful moisture, with care, would even now restore it. The text indicates that by providential and abundant rains one of the marked blessings of their desert life the fertile valleys and gorges were made to yield much more than common for the wants of the people and their flocks, besides cooling and rendering more refreshing the atmosphere.
At the presence of God Literally, From the face of God, as signifying its direct and miraculous impartation.
God of Israel The covenant title of God. It first occurs Exo 24:10, and dates at Sinai because there, by the delivery of the law, God entered more closely into covenant with his people.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 68:8. The earth shook, &c. When the people arrived at Sinai, and God descended on the mountain, the earth trembled at his presence; the heavens also dropped, i.e. dissolved into showers, as the consequence of the mighty thunders and lightnings which bespoke the presence of the Almighty, and of the thick cloud which covered the mount. Exo 19:16. In the next clause, Even Sinai itself, &c. one of the verbs in the former clauses must be supplied: Sinai itself shook, or dropped at the presence of God: that is, as it were, flowed down and dissolved. So Deborah, Jdg 5:4-5 in her song of triumph says, Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst from the field of Edom; the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped; the clouds also dropped down water. The mountains flowed down at the presence of the Lord; this Sinai [flowed down] at the presence of the God of Israel.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa 68:8 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.
Ver. 8. The earth shook, the heavens also dropped ] Velut in sudorem soluti, as if they had been put into a sweat; in so terrible a manner was the law given, that God’s fear might fall upon us, Exo 20:18-21 As for the gospel, it is that rain of liberalities, Psa 68:9 , confiming God’s inheritance when it is weary.
Even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
dropped: i.e. dropped [moisture].
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
earth: Psa 77:18, Psa 114:7, Isa 64:1, Isa 64:3, Hab 3:13, Heb 12:26, Rev 11:19
the heavens: Jdg 5:4, Jdg 5:5
Sinai: Exo 19:16, Exo 19:18, Deu 5:23-25
the God: Psa 68:35, Psa 41:13, Isa 45:3
Reciprocal: Jdg 4:14 – is not 1Ki 19:11 – an earthquake Job 9:5 – removeth Job 37:22 – with Psa 46:6 – earth Psa 77:17 – General Psa 126:3 – General Isa 5:25 – the hills Nah 1:5 – mountains Hab 3:3 – came Hab 3:10 – mountains Gal 4:25 – Sinai