The Psalm relates clearly to the Exodus and the entrance into the Promised Land via the crossing of the Jordan. The writer, noting both the Red Sea and Jordan crossings, suggests the reaction of nature to the Divine intervention: the mountains and little hills “skipped” like playful sheep as the sea parted and the river made a path for Israel to cross. Nature took note of the presence and power of the Lord and reacted appropriately. His contemplation leads the Psalmist to cry, “Tremble thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.”:
Here I am reminded of a New Testament reference to trembling. The apostle James,appealing to those who professed faith, but did not follow it with appropriate works, said “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble [Jas. 2:19].” His inference is that demons tremble before the Lord and that those who have a genuine faith in the living God should exhibit a similar awe in His presence.
When king Darius witnessed the Lord’s deliverance of Daniel from the lion’s den, he issued a universal decree “unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for He is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end [Dan. 6:25-26].” He understood something of the majesty and power of the eternal God.
Indeed, God Himself calls for man to tremble before Him. “The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble…[Ps. 99:1].” It is not only an appropriate reaction to His presence, but an inevitable one where His glory is disclosed. And, He expresses His displeasure with those who have no fear of His presence: “Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?” And He explains why men are unmoved at His presence; “Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withheld good things from you [Jer. 5:24-25].”
Sin, whether in the unconverted or in the life of the believer, makes the heart harder than the rocks and hills of nature, robbing Him of His glory and men of their eternal welfare. But there is a day coming when the dullest minds and the hardest hearts will quaver before Him. The prophet Joel, anticipating “the day of the Lord,” writes:
“Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand…The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?” (Joel 2:1,10-11)
Contemporary Christianity is often too flippant with holy things, irreverent in dress, decorum and even in “devotion.” “Awe” is a word that has little meaning in our approach to spiritual things, and there is not much “trembling” before the Lord in our churches. We are too often like the children of Israel when they had persuaded Aaron to make them a self styled god before whom they “sat down to eat and to drink and rose up to play.” (See Exodus 32:6) The churches have become a playground or a social center, and the presence of God is little recognized or regarded.
Whether sinning saint or indifferent sinner, we will do well to hear Joel’s cry: “Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God [Joel 2:12-14]?
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…” (Ps. 111:10a)
For His glory and our growth in grace,
"Pastor" Frasier
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