The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

PSALMS 97:5KJV
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Psalms 97:5 (KJV)

What does Psalms 97:5 mean?

Psalms 97:5 pictures the LORD’s presence as so powerful that even hills, among the most solid features of the landscape, cannot stand firm before him. By calling him “Lord of the whole earth,” the verse presents his authority as extending over the entire world.

The comparison to wax gives the scene its striking movement: what seems hard and lasting becomes soft and flowing. After the lightning and trembling earth in verse 4, the melting hills deepen the picture of the natural world responding to the LORD’s arrival.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 97:5

  • “presence” — פָּנִים (panim): This word can mean “face” or “presence.” The repeated phrase “at the presence” places the LORD before the hills as the one whose arrival prompts their response.
  • “LORD” — יְהוָה (YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, often represented as “LORD” in English Bibles. The capital letters distinguish it from the later word “Lord,” which is a title.
  • “Lord” — אָדוֹן (adon): This word can mean “master” or “lord.” Joined with “of the whole earth,” the title identifies the LORD’s authority as worldwide.

Why Psalms 97:5 matters

  • The verse uses a comparison to describe an extraordinary scene. “Like wax” helps the hearer imagine hills losing their solid form.
  • The scene leads into a public declaration of the LORD’s rule. Verse 6 says that the heavens declare his righteousness, meaning that they make known his justice, and that all peoples see his glory.
  • The title “Lord of the whole earth” prepares for the contrast in verse 7. That verse speaks of those who serve images, while verse 5 presents the LORD as ruler over the whole earth.

Where else these words appear

“wax” Hebrew H1749 · used in 4 verses

  • Psalms 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
  • Psalms 68:2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
  • Micah 1:4 And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place.

“melted” Hebrew H4549 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 16:21 And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.
  • Judges 15:14 And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.
  • Isaiah 10:18 And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standardbearer fainteth.