Psalms 104:32
Psalms 104:32 in Multiple Translations
He looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smolder.
He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
Who looketh on the earth, and it trembleth; He toucheth the mountains, and they smoke.
At whose look the earth is shaking; at whose touch the mountains send out smoke.
He only has to look at the earth and it trembles; mountains pour out smoke at his touch.
He looketh on the earth and it trembleth: he toucheth the mountaines, and they smoke.
Who is looking to earth, and it trembleth, He cometh against hills, and they smoke.
He looks at the earth, and it trembles. He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
He gave them hail for rain, a burning fire in the land.
He causes the earth to shake just by looking at it! By merely touching the mountains he makes/causes them to pour out fire and smoke!
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 104:32
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 104:32 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַ/מַּבִּ֣יט
לָ֭/אָרֶץ
וַ/תִּרְעָ֑ד
יִגַּ֖ע
בֶּ/הָרִ֣ים
וְֽ/יֶעֱשָֽׁנוּ
הַ/מַּבִּ֣יט
nâbaṭ
H5027
to look
Art | V-Hiphil
לָ֭/אָרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Prep | N-cs
וַ/תִּרְעָ֑ד
râʻad
H7460
to tremble
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
יִגַּ֖ע
nâgaʻ
H5060
to touch
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
בֶּ/הָרִ֣ים
har
H2022
mountain
Prep | N-mp
וְֽ/יֶעֱשָֽׁנוּ
ʻâshan
H6225
be angry
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 104:32
הַ/מַּבִּ֣יט
nâbaṭ
H5027
"to look"
Art | V-Hiphil
This verb means to look or regard something carefully. It can also mean to show favor or care for someone. In the Bible, it is used to describe how God looks at his people with favor and care, as seen in Psalm 138:6.
Definition: 1) to look, regard 1a) (Piel) to look 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) tolook 1b2) to regard, show regard to, pay attention to, consider 1b3) to look upon, regard, show regard to
Usage: Occurs in 67 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see. See also: Genesis 15:5; Psalms 104:32; Psalms 10:14.
לָ֭/אָרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Prep | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
וַ/תִּרְעָ֑ד
râʻad
H7460
"to tremble"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
This verb means to shake or tremble with fear or weakness. It can also describe an earthquake. In the Bible, it is used to convey a sense of awe or terror.
Definition: 1) to tremble, quake 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to tremble 1a2) (earth)quake 1b) (Hiphil) trembling (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: tremble. See also: Ezra 10:9; Psalms 104:32; Daniel 10:11.
יִגַּ֖ע
nâgaʻ
H5060
"to touch"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to touch or reach something, and can also mean to strike or defeat someone. It is used in Exodus to describe God's power and in Psalms to describe human emotions. The word has various translations, including beat, bring, and plague.
Definition: 1) to touch, reach, strike 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to touch 1a2) to strike 1a3) to reach, extend to 1a4) to be stricken 1a4a) stricken (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be stricken, be defeated 1c) (Piel) to strike 1d) (Pual) to be stricken (by disease) 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to touch, reach, approach, arrive 1e1) to cause to touch, apply 1e2) to reach, extend, attain, arrive, come 1e3) to approach (of time) 1e4) to befall (of fate)
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: beat, ([idiom] be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch. See also: Genesis 3:3; 2 Chronicles 3:12; Psalms 32:6.
בֶּ/הָרִ֣ים
har
H2022
"mountain"
Prep | N-mp
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
וְֽ/יֶעֱשָֽׁנוּ
ʻâshan
H6225
"be angry"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to be angry or furious, like smoke rising from a fire. It describes God's wrath in many passages, including Exodus and Deuteronomy. This intense anger is often a response to sin or disobedience.
Definition: 1) to smoke, be angry, be wroth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to smoke 1a2) to fume, be wroth, be furious
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: be angry (be on a) smoke. See also: Exodus 19:18; Psalms 80:5; Psalms 74:1.
Study Notes — Psalms 104:32
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 104:32 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 104:32
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 104:32
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 104:32
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 104:32
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 104:32
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 104:32
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 104:32
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 104:32
- Sermons on Psalms 104:32
Context — How Many Are Your Works, O LORD!
30When You send Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the earth.
31May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in His works.
32He looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smolder.
33I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 34May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the LORD.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 144:5 | Part Your heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, that they may smoke. |
| 2 | Psalms 97:4–5 | His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. |
| 3 | Exodus 19:18 | Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. |
| 4 | Habakkuk 3:10 | The mountains saw You and quaked; torrents of water swept by. The deep roared with its voice and lifted its hands on high. |
| 5 | Psalms 114:7 | Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, |
| 6 | Jeremiah 5:22 | Do you not fear Me?” declares the LORD. “Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary for the sea, an enduring barrier it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot cross it. |
| 7 | Nahum 1:5–6 | The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles at His presence— the world and all its dwellers. Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; even rocks are shattered before Him. |
| 8 | Jeremiah 4:23–26 | I looked at the earth, and it was formless and void; I looked to the heavens, and they had no light. I looked at the mountains, and behold, they were quaking; all the hills were swaying. I looked, and no man was left; all the birds of the air had fled. I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert. All its cities were torn down before the LORD, before His fierce anger. |
| 9 | Habakkuk 3:5–6 | Plague went before Him, and fever followed in His steps. He stood and measured the earth; He looked and startled the nations; the ancient mountains crumbled; the perpetual hills collapsed. His ways are everlasting. |
| 10 | Psalms 77:16 | The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken. |
Psalms 104:32 Summary
This verse, Psalms 104:32, shows us that God is all-powerful and cares deeply about the earth He created, as seen in Genesis 1:1. When God looks at the earth, it trembles with awe, and when He touches the mountains, they smolder, demonstrating His mighty power. This reminds us of God's presence in our lives, and we can respond with reverence and praise, just like the psalmist, who says he will 'sing to the LORD all my life' (Psalms 104:33). By recognizing God's power and care, we can cultivate a deeper trust and love for Him, just as we see in Psalms 23:4, where God is our shepherd and guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when it says God 'looks on the earth' in Psalms 104:32?
This phrase signifies God's active attention and care for the earth, as seen in Job 28:24, where God's eyes see every corner of the earth, and in Jeremiah 32:19, where God's eyes are open to all the ways of men.
Why does the earth 'tremble' when God looks at it?
The trembling of the earth represents the awe-inspiring power and presence of God, much like in Psalms 96:9, where all the earth trembles before Him, and in Isaiah 6:5, where the prophet is overwhelmed by God's holiness.
What is the significance of the mountains 'smoldering' when God touches them?
The image of mountains smoldering when God touches them illustrates God's mighty and transformative power, reminiscent of the burning bush in Exodus 3:2 and the fiery presence of God on Mount Sinai in Exodus 24:17.
How does this verse relate to God's creation and care for the world?
This verse highlights God's intimate involvement with His creation, as seen in Psalms 104:30, where God sends His Spirit to renew the face of the earth, demonstrating His ongoing care and concern for the world He made, as stated in Genesis 1:1 and Psalms 95:4-5.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for me to tremble before God's power and presence in my own life?
- How can I cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for God's creation and His role in it?
- In what ways can I acknowledge and respond to God's touch in my life, just as the mountains smolder at His touch?
- What are some ways I can join in the psalmist's declaration to 'sing to the LORD all my life' and 'sing praise to my God while I have my being'?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 104:32
He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth,.... As Sinai did when he descended on it, Psalms 68:8, to which the allusion seems to be; and a look from him, a severe one, a frowning one, will make the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 104:32
He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 104:32
This is a further illustration of God’ s powerful providence over all the creatures, and their dependence upon him; as when he affords his favour to creatures, they live and thrive, so one the contrary one angry look or touch of his upon the hills or earth makes them tremble and smoke, as once Sinai did when God appeared in it. And this consideration he may possibly suggest to enforce the foregoing exhortation of glorifying God, because if we do not give him the glory due to his name, he call quickly right himself, and destroy us and all his works.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 104:32
Psalms 104:32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.Ver. 32. He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth] This must be considered, that God may be as well feared as loved and praised. He toucheth the hills, and they smoke] It is, therefore, ill falling into his hands, who can do such terrible things with his looks and touches.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 104:32
(32) Trembleth.—With the praise is united something of awe and fear, since the majesty and power of Him who made the world is so great. Its very existence is dependent on His will, and a glance, a touch from Him would be enough to shake it to its foundations and consume it. For “the smoky mountain tops,” comp. Psalms 144:5, and see Note, Psalms 148:8.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 104:32
Verse 32. He looketh on the earth] Even the look of God terrifies all created nature! He toucheth the hills] So easy is it for God to burn up the earth and the worlds thereof, that even his touch kindles the mountains into flames! See Etna, Vesuvius, Stromboli, c. these are ignited by the touch of God. How majestic are these figures! The renewal of the earth, and re-creation of deceased animals, shall take place when he shall shake terribly the heavens and the earth; when they shall be wrapped together as a scroll, and the earth and its works be dissolved, that is, after the general convulsion and conflagration of the world.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 104:32
32. Who looketh on the earth, and it trembleth, Toucheth the mountains, and they smoke. May this manifestation of God in Nature ever continue! May Jehovah never cease to rejoice in His works as He rejoiced when He pronounced all things to be very good (Genesis 1:31; Proverbs 8:31). A look, a touch are enough to remind the earth of the awful power of its Creator, Who if He willed could annihilate as easily as He created. The Psalmist has in mind Amos 9:5 (cp. above Psalms 104:3), Exodus 19:18; Psalms 104:32 b is imitated in Psalms 144:5, Psalms 104:33 in Psalms 146:2.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 104:32
He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth - There is great sublimity in this expression, as indicating the power and the majesty of God. He has only to “look” upon his works, and they stand in awe and tremble.
Sermons on Psalms 104:32
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Attributes of God - Greatness by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker begins by acknowledging the doubts and uncertainties that people may have about how anything good can come out of certain situations. However, he emphas |
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The Attributes of God - Part 1 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the greatness of God and His ability to behold and count the things in heaven and on earth. The preacher references Psalm 113:6, which state |
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Moved by the Holy Ghost 1991 by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon reflects on encounters with remarkable women of faith throughout the speaker's life, from Catherine Booth to a modern-day anointed woman living in simplicity and devoti |
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Si Interview of Ray Comfort by Ray Comfort | In this video, the speaker begins by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share and discuss their ministry. They then share their personal journey of being led by God into p |
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The Preaching of George Whitefield by E.A. Johnston | The video is a sermon transcript about the preaching of George Whitefield, a renowned preacher in the 18th century. Whitefield had a powerful and captivating preaching style that k |
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The Leading of the Lord by George Warnock | In this sermon, the preacher discusses God's dealings with the saints and the importance of being a holy and cleansed people. He references the book of Job and the sayings of Elihu |
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Take Away My Heart of Stone by R. Edward Miller | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of the voice of the Lord. He compares it to a hammer that breaks the cedars of Lebanon. The preacher explains that when the powerf |