Tremble, thou earth— The LXX read, The earth did tremble, in a more easy meaning, as being an answer to the foregoing question; but perhaps not so well suited to the Psalmist's design, which is to let the world know, that as it was from the presence of God among his people heretofore that the sea fled, &c. so now there was the same reason for the earth to tremble; as he was still present among them. The answer is elegantly understood, and turned into a command. A standing water in the next verse, is rendered by some a river. We would just observe, that the hallelujah, or, praise ye the Lord, at the end of the last psalm, is placed by the LXX, and with much seeming propriety, at the beginning of this.
REFLECTIONS.—The wonders of former days deserve to be kept in everlasting remembrance, both that God may be glorified for them, and we take encouragement from thence to hope still in his mercy.
1. God brought his Israel from Egypt: They went out, with triumph, wealth, and honour, from a people of a strange language which they understood not, or barbarous, as they accounted the Egyptian tongue, compared with their own. The people of God are thus brought up out of spiritual Egypt, and called from this strange country the world, to join those who speak the pure language of Canaan.
2. Among them his special presence rested, and he was in a peculiar manner their king. Judah was his sanctuary; his presence rested visibly in the midst of them; and Israel his dominion, among whom he erected a theocracy, himself their lawgiver and judge, and exercising the power of civil government among them. Thus does his presence dwell in his living temples, the souls of his people; holiness is written upon their hearts; and, obedient to all his commands and ordinances, they desire to approve themselves his obedient and devoted subjects.
3. To open a passage for them, the sea affrighted fled, and Jordan backwards rolled his overflowing streams. How was the mighty miracle affected? why fled the sea? why skipped the mountains Horeb and Sinai? Why? They felt the present deity; the powers of nature stood controlled before him, and earth shook to its centre. Note; (1.) Whatever difficulties are in the way of God's Israel, from seas of tribulation, and mountains of corruption, as easily and certainly shall all hindrances be removed, if they will but believe. (2.) Did rocky Horeb tremble before God? and is thy heart, sinner, more obdurate and insensible?
4. He gave them waters out of the rock, and, all the desert through, caused the salutary streams to follow them. That rock was Christ; from him still flow, for every believer's use, full streams of grace and consolation, to cheer him in his passage through this world's howling wilderness; nor will he ever leave or forsake his faithful followers, who perseveringly and simply cleave to him, till, from drinking at the streams below, he shall bring them to the fountain-head above, and fill them with eternal consolations and glory in the heavenly Canaan.