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Psalms 97:5

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

The mountains melted like wax when the LORD appeared, when the Lord of all the earth showed up.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse describes how even the strongest, most permanent things on earth, like mountains, melt away like candle wax when God shows His awesome power and presence.

📚 Historical Context

Psalms 97 is a hymn of praise in the Old Testament that celebrates God's kingship and sovereignty over the earth, likely composed during a time when ancient Israelites sought reassurance in God's power amid threats from surrounding nations. This verse uses dramatic imagery of mountains melting like wax to portray God's overwhelming presence, drawing from ancient Near Eastern ideas where deities were depicted as controlling natural forces to demonstrate their authority. In the broader biblical narrative, such descriptions echo events like God's appearance on Mount Sinai, emphasizing His role as the supreme ruler of creation.

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