8:3 When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made,
and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place, 1
33:6 By the Lord’s decree 2 the heavens were made;
by a mere word from his mouth all the stars in the sky were created. 3
68:8 the earth shakes,
yes, the heavens pour down rain
before God, the God of Sinai, 4
before God, the God of Israel. 5
1 tn Heb “when I see your heavens, the works of your fingers, the moon and stars which you established.” The verb “[and] see” is understood by ellipsis in the second half of the verse.
2 tn Heb “word.”
3 tn Heb “and by the breath of his mouth all their host.” The words “were created” are added in the translation for stylistic reasons; they are understood by ellipsis (note “were made” in the preceding line). The description is consistent with Gen 1:16, which indicates that God spoke the heavenly luminaries into existence.
4 tn Heb “this one of Sinai.” The phrase is a divine title, perhaps indicating that the
5 sn The language of vv. 7-8 is reminiscent of Judg 5:4-5, which tells how the God of Sinai came in the storm and annihilated the Canaanite forces led by Sisera. The presence of allusion does not mean, however, that this is a purely historical reference. The psalmist is describing God’s typical appearance as a warrior in terms of his prior self-revelation as ancient events are reactualized in the psalmist’s experience. (For a similar literary technique, see Hab 3.)