At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.

PSALMS 104:7KJV
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Psalms 104:7 (KJV)

What does Psalms 104:7 mean?

Psalms 104:7 describes how, at God’s command, the waters fled and rushed away in response to His powerful voice and rebuke. The verse highlights God’s authority over creation, showing that even the forces of nature obey Him instantly.

The psalmist is speaking about the time of creation, recalling how God set boundaries for the waters after the flood or at the beginning of the world. The language paints a vivid picture of God’s voice being so commanding that the waters had no choice but to retreat, emphasizing His unmatched power over the natural world.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 104:7

  • "rebuke" (גְּעָרָה, ge‘arah): This word means a strong, authoritative command or scolding. In this verse, it shows that God’s word alone is enough to move the mighty waters.
  • "voice" (קוֹל, qol): Often used for God’s thunderous or commanding speech, this word stresses that it is not just any sound, but God’s own voice that causes the waters to move.
  • "thunder" (רַעַם, ra‘am): This word refers to a loud, rumbling sound, like thunder. Here, it underlines the awe-inspiring and overwhelming nature of God’s command.

Why Psalms 104:7 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that nature is independent or uncontrollable; it shows that even the most powerful forces, like the sea, answer directly to God.
  • The verse connects to the wider psalm, which celebrates God as the Creator who orders and sustains the world, not just at the beginning but continually.
  • It emphasizes that God’s authority is not gentle suggestion but a force that brings immediate and dramatic change, helping readers appreciate the seriousness and effectiveness of His word.

Where else these words appear

“thunder” Hebrew H7482 · used in 6 verses

  • Job 26:14 Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?
  • Job 39:25 He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
  • Psalms 81:7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

“hasted” Hebrew H2648 · used in 9 verses

  • Deuteronomy 20:3 And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
  • 2 Samuel 4:4 And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.
  • Psalms 31:22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

“rebuke” Hebrew H1606 · used in 14 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
  • Psalms 80:16 It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
  • Ecclesiastes 7:5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

“At” Hebrew H4480 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 2:6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
  • Leviticus 9:10 But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • 1 Samuel 30:19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.