The people shall hear, &c.— The sublimity of this passage would appear much more striking if it were rendered, agreeably to the Hebrew, The people hear, they tremble: sorrow takes hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. Straight (אז * az) the dukes of Edom are amazed: the mighty men of Moab, trembling takes hold upon them: all the inhabitants of Canaan melt away. Terror falls upon them: and fear, from the greatness of thine arm. They shall be dumb as a stone; till thy people pass over, O Lord, &c. Every reader of taste must discern the sublimity and energy which is given to this passage, by reading the verbs throughout in the present tense. See this prophetical passage verified, Joshua 2:10; Joshua 5:1; Joshua 9:9.
*See Noldius on this particle, 4.