Psalm 104:7
New International Version
But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;

New Living Translation
At your command, the water fled; at the sound of your thunder, it hurried away.

English Standard Version
At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.

Berean Standard Bible
At Your rebuke the waters fled; at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away—

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

New King James Version
At Your rebuke they fled; At the voice of Your thunder they hastened away.

New American Standard Bible
They fled from Your rebuke, At the sound of Your thunder they hurried away.

NASB 1995
At Your rebuke they fled, At the sound of Your thunder they hurried away.

NASB 1977
At Thy rebuke they fled; At the sound of Thy thunder they hurried away.

Legacy Standard Bible
At Your rebuke they fled, At the sound of Your thunder they hurried away in alarm.

Amplified Bible
At Your rebuke they fled; At the sound of Your thunder they hurried away.

Christian Standard Bible
At your rebuke the water fled; at the sound of your thunder they hurried away —

Holman Christian Standard Bible
At Your rebuke the waters fled; at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away—

American Standard Version
At thy rebuke they fled; At the voice of thy thunder they hasted away

Contemporary English Version
Then your voice thundered! And the water flowed

English Revised Version
At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
and fled because of your threat. Water ran away at the sound of your thunder.

Good News Translation
When you rebuked the waters, they fled; they rushed away when they heard your shout of command.

International Standard Version
They flee at your rebuke; they rush away at the sound of your thunders.

NET Bible
Your shout made the waters retreat; at the sound of your thunderous voice they hurried off--

New Heart English Bible
At your rebuke they fled. At the voice of your thunder they hurried away.

Webster's Bible Translation
At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
At Your rebuke the waters fled; at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away—

World English Bible
At your rebuke they fled. At the voice of your thunder they hurried away.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
They flee from Your rebuke, "" They hurry away from the voice of Your thunder.

Young's Literal Translation
From Thy rebuke they flee, From the voice of Thy thunder haste away.

Smith's Literal Translation
From thy rebuke they shall flee; from the voice of thy thunder they shall be terrified.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
At thy rebuke they shall flee: at the voice of thy thunder they shall fear.

Catholic Public Domain Version
At your rebuke, they will flee. At the voice of your thunder, they will dread.

New American Bible
At your rebuke they took flight; at the sound of your thunder they fled.

New Revised Standard Version
At your rebuke they flee; at the sound of your thunder they take to flight.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hastened away.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
From your rebuke they flee and they hasten from the voice of your thunders.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
At Thy rebuke they fled, At the voice of Thy thunder they hasted away--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
At thy rebuke they shall flee; at the voice of thy thunder they shall be alarmed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
How Many Are Your Works, O LORD!
6You covered it with the deep like a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. 7At Your rebuke the waters fled; at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away— 8the mountains rose and the valleys sank to the place You assigned for them—…

Cross References
Genesis 1:9-10
And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered into one place, so that the dry land may appear.” And it was so. / God called the dry land “earth,” and the gathering of waters He called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.

Job 38:8-11
Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, / when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket, / when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, ...

Exodus 14:21-22
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.

Proverbs 8:29
when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth.

Jeremiah 5:22
Do you not fear Me?” declares the LORD. “Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary for the sea, an enduring barrier it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot cross it.

Isaiah 50:2
Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.

Nahum 1:4
He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.

Jonah 1:15
Then they picked up Jonah and cast him into the sea, and the raging sea grew calm.

Genesis 8:1
But God remembered Noah and all the animals and livestock that were with him in the ark. And God sent a wind over the earth, and the waters began to subside.

Job 26:10
He has inscribed a horizon on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.

Isaiah 51:10
Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over?

Matthew 8:26-27
“You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm. / The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”

Mark 4:39-41
Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. / “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” / Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Luke 8:24-25
The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm. / “Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”

John 1:3
Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.


Treasury of Scripture

At your rebuke they fled; at the voice of your thunder they hurried away.

at thy

Genesis 8:1
And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;

Proverbs 8:28
When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

Mark 4:39
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

they fled

Psalm 114:3-7
The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back…

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Fear Fled Flee Flight Haste Hasted Hurried Rebuke Sound Thunder Voice Waters Word
Psalm 104
1. A meditation upon the mighty power
7. And wonderful providence of God
31. God's glory is eternal
33. The prophet vows perpetually to praise God














At Your rebuke the waters fled;
This phrase reflects the power and authority of God over creation, reminiscent of the Genesis account where God separates the waters to form dry land (Genesis 1:9-10). The term "rebuke" suggests a command that enforces order, similar to Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:39, demonstrating His divine authority. The imagery of waters fleeing at God's command can also be linked to the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14:21, where God delivers Israel from Egypt, showcasing His control over natural elements. This act of divine intervention is a recurring theme, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the obedience of creation to His will.

at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away—
Thunder is often associated with God's voice and presence, as seen in Exodus 19:16 during the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. It symbolizes His majesty and power, instilling awe and reverence. The waters "hurrying away" at the sound of thunder can be seen as a metaphor for God's ability to bring order out of chaos, a theme prevalent in the Psalms and prophetic literature. This imagery also connects to the eschatological visions in Revelation, where natural phenomena accompany divine judgment and renewal (Revelation 16:18). The use of thunder here underscores the immediacy and effectiveness of God's command, reinforcing His ultimate authority over creation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The central figure in this verse, whose power and authority are demonstrated through His rebuke and the sound of His thunder.

2. Waters
Symbolic of chaos and disorder, which are brought into order by God's command.

3. Rebuke
Represents God's authoritative command over creation, emphasizing His sovereignty.

4. Thunder
A manifestation of God's power and presence, often associated with His voice in the Old Testament.

5. Creation
The broader context of Psalm 104, which celebrates God's creative work and His ongoing sustenance of the world.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Creation
Recognize that God has ultimate authority over all aspects of creation, including the natural elements.

The Power of God's Word
Understand that God's word is powerful and effective, capable of bringing order out of chaos.

Trust in God's Control
In times of personal chaos or disorder, trust in God's ability to bring peace and order through His sovereign will.

God's Presence in Nature
See the natural world as a testament to God's power and presence, prompting worship and reverence.

Responding to God's Authority
Reflect on how we respond to God's authority in our lives, ensuring that we submit to His will and commands.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Psalm 104:7?

2. How does Psalm 104:7 demonstrate God's power over creation and nature?

3. What does "at Your rebuke" in Psalm 104:7 reveal about God's authority?

4. How can we apply God's control in Psalm 104:7 to our daily lives?

5. Connect Psalm 104:7 with another scripture showing God's command over the natural world.

6. How does understanding Psalm 104:7 strengthen our trust in God's sovereignty?

7. How does Psalm 104:7 align with scientific explanations of natural phenomena?

8. What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 104:7?

9. Does Psalm 104:7 support a literal or metaphorical interpretation of creation?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 104?

11. Does the boundary 'that the waters might not again cover the earth' (Psalm 104:9) conflict with evidence of sea-level changes over time?

12. Psalm 87:7 - In what sense are all 'springs' in Zion, given that historically rivers and water sources are not exclusive to Jerusalem?

13. Psalm 29:10 mentions the Lord sitting enthroned over the flood; if this points to a universal flood, why do we lack conclusive global geological or archeological proof of it?

14. What does 'Deep calls to deep' in Psalm 42:7 mean?
What Does Psalm 104:7 Mean
At Your rebuke

Psalm 104:7 opens with, “At Your rebuke the waters fled”.

• “Rebuke” highlights God’s sovereign command; His voice alone is enough to rearrange creation.

• Cross references reinforce this theme:

Psalm 106:9, “He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; He led them through the depths as through a desert.”

Nahum 1:4, “He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry.”

• In Genesis 1:9 – 10, God’s word gathered the waters so dry land would appear; Psalm 104:7 looks back to that same creative authority.

• Practical takeaway: The Lord’s correction is never empty; it carries real, observable power in nature and in our lives.


the waters fled

• “Fled” pictures instant, unquestioning obedience.

Exodus 14:21 – 22 shows the sea making way for Israel; likewise, Joshua 3:13 – 17 recounts the Jordan piling up in response to God’s presence.

• Creation itself behaves like a servant that hurries to comply.

• Encouragement: when God speaks, no obstacle—however formidable—can resist.


at the sound of Your thunder

• Thunder often symbolizes God’s majestic voice (Job 37:2–5; Psalm 29:3).

• Here it reminds us that His authority is both awesome and audible—He is not distant or silent.

• The same thunder guided Israel at Sinai (Exodus 19:16) and overcame enemies in 1 Samuel 7:10.

• Application: God continues to speak clearly through Scripture, bringing both comfort and holy fear.


they hurried away

• The waters “hurried away,” stressing speed and eagerness.

Psalm 114:3–5 portrays the sea and river retreating in near panic before God’s presence.

Isaiah 51:15 affirms, “I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar.”

• Lesson: Creation models the proper response—swift submission—inviting believers to obey promptly rather than reluctantly.


summary

Psalm 104:7 celebrates the Creator whose mere rebuke scatters the seas. Every phrase showcases His unrivaled authority: He speaks, and nature sprints to obey. The passage recalls both the original separation of land and sea and the dramatic deliverances at the Red Sea and Jordan. These historical realities assure us that the Lord who commands oceans also governs every detail of our lives. Swift, trusting obedience is the fitting response to such a powerful, personal God.

Verse 7. - At thy rebuke they fled. It required only a few words from God (Genesis 1:9) for the whole surface of the earth to be changed. The waters "fled" - they shifted their place - removed from some portions of the earth's surface, and "gathered themselves together" into others, allowing the dry land to appear. Elevations and depressions of the land must have at the same time occurred. At the voice of thy thunder they hasted away (comp. Job 40:9, "Hast thou an arm like God, or canst thou thunder with a voice like his?"). The voice of God, especially when he speaks in "rebuke," is as thunder,

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
At
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

Your rebuke
גַּעֲרָ֣תְךָ֣ (ga·‘ă·rā·ṯə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1606: A chiding

the waters fled;
יְנוּס֑וּן (yə·nū·sūn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

at
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the sound
ק֥וֹל (qō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

of Your thunder
רַֽ֝עַמְךָ֗ (ra·‘am·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7482: A peal of thunder

they hurried away—
יֵחָפֵזֽוּן׃ (yê·ḥā·p̄ê·zūn)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 2648: To start up suddenly, to hasten away, to fear


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OT Poetry: Psalm 104:7 At your rebuke they fled (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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