Psalms 135:7
He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights God's intimate involvement with weather, not just as an observer but as the one who actively gathers the very "vapors" from the farthest reaches of the earth. It also points out that lightning isn't just a random event, but is deliberately "made for the rain," suggesting a divine purpose and connection in these often dramatic natural occurrences.
This Psalm is a powerful declaration of God's greatness and sovereignty over creation, contrasting Him with the powerless idols of other nations. Verses 5-7 specifically highlight God's control over the natural world, showing how He orchestrates weather phenomena like clouds, lightning, rain, and wind. This declaration serves as a foundation for the rest of the Psalm, underscoring why Israel should praise Him and trust in His mighty acts.
Have you ever watched clouds form and wondered where they come from? This verse reveals God’s direct involvement in their creation.
The verse begins by highlighting God's power over the atmosphere, stating, 'He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth.' This isn't just a poetic description; it points to the scientific reality of evaporation and condensation.
The Earth's Natural Cycle
God orchestrates the natural process where water evaporates from oceans, lakes, and even the soil, rising as invisible vapor. 'From the ends of the earth' emphasizes the vast scale of this operation—it happens everywhere, from every part of the globe.
From Invisible to Visible
These ascending vapors then gather and condense, forming the clouds we see. This verse reminds us that even the most commonplace atmospheric events are sustained by God’s deliberate action.
Lightning can be terrifying, but this verse links it directly to the life-giving gift of rain. What does this connection reveal about God’s work?
The psalmist continues, 'he makes lightnings for the rain.' This phrase points to a profound connection between electrical discharges in the atmosphere and the arrival of rain.
More Than Just Weather
In ancient understanding, lightning was often seen as a precursor or even a catalyst for rain. This wasn't just superstition; it reflected observations of thunderstorms where lightning frequently accompanies downpours. The verse suggests that God intentionally designs these phenomena to work together.
God's Control Over Forces
Whether lightning 'brings' the rain in a causal sense, or simply accompanies it as a sign, the point is that God wields both. He controls the powerful, even frightening, displays of lightning, directing them to fulfill His purposes, which include providing life-sustaining rain.
c. 1500-1000 BC
Composition of Early Psalms
The collection of Psalms, including those celebrating creation and God's power, takes shape during the Israelite monarchy and early post-exilic periods. This timeframe places the psalm within a context of established Israelite worship and theological reflection.
c. 8th Century BC
Prophetic Oracles on Nature
Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah begin to explicitly link God's sovereignty to control over natural phenomena like storms, winds, and rain, countering pagan worship of nature deities. This reinforces the theological themes present in Psalm 135.
c. 7th-6th Century BC
Exile and Return Narratives
The experience of the Babylonian Exile and the subsequent return profoundly shaped Israelite identity, emphasizing God's power over all nations and nature. Psalms celebrating God's might would have been particularly meaningful during this time.
c. 4th Century BC— this verse
Final Redaction of the Psalter
The final collection and arrangement of the Psalms into the Psalter likely occurred during the post-exilic period, consolidating liturgical and theological traditions. Psalm 135 would have been part of this canonized collection used in worship.
This passage directly parallels Psalm 135:7, also describing God's power in bringing rain, lightning, and wind from His storehouses, highlighting the consistent biblical portrayal of God as the sovereign controller of weather.
Job 38:22This verse speaks of God's 'treasures' of snow and hail, aligning with Psalm 135:7's mention of God bringing wind from His storehouses, emphasizing that all elements of nature are under God's complete command and provision.
Genesis 2:6This verse mentions a mist rising from the earth to water the ground before rain, which connects to Psalm 135:7's 'vapours' ascending from the ends of the earth, illustrating the detailed, natural processes God uses for the earth's sustenance.
Zechariah 10:1This passage links asking God for rain with the 'flocks of the flock' and the 'lightning for rain,' echoing Psalm 135:7's imagery and showing the connection between God's provision and His people's needs and prayers.
ellicottPsalms 135:7: "He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries."
(7) Adapted from Jeremiah 10:13 ; Jeremiah 51:16 . Causeth the vapours to ascend.—Mr. Burgess is undoubtedly right in referring this to the mist which went up from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground “before the useful trouble of the rain” (Genesis 2:6), since the original passage in Genesis has a plain reference to the story…
clarkePsalms 135:7: "He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries."
He causeth the vapours to ascend - Dr. Shaw thinks that the account here refers to the autumnal rains in the east. Of them he speaks as follows: "Seldom a night passes without much lightning in the north-west quarter, but not attended with thunder; and when this lightning appears in the west or south-west points, it is a sure sign of the app…
This verse highlights God's intimate involvement with weather, not just as an observer but as the one who actively gathers the very "vapors" from the farthest reaches of the earth. It also points out that lightning isn't just a random event, but is deliberately "made for the rain," suggesting a divine purpose and connection in these often dramatic natural occurrences.
This Psalm is a powerful declaration of God's greatness and sovereignty over creation, contrasting Him with the powerless idols of other nations. Verses 5-7 specifically highlight God's control over the natural world, showing how He orchestrates weather phenomena like clouds, lightning, rain, and wind. This declaration serves as a foundation for the rest of the Psalm, underscoring why Israel should praise Him and trust in His mighty acts.
This Psalm is a powerful declaration of God's greatness and sovereignty over creation, contrasting Him with the powerless idols of other nations. Verses 5-7 specifically highlight God's control over the natural world, showing how He orchestrates weather phenomena like clouds, lightning, rain, and wind. This declaration serves as a foundation for the rest of the Psalm, underscoring why Israel should praise Him and trust in His mighty acts.
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We feel the wind, but can’t see its source. This verse points to secret places where God keeps this invisible force.
Finally, the verse declares, 'and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.' This imagery speaks volumes about God's sovereignty and provision.
Divine Treasuries
The concept of 'storehouses' implies that God has reserves of wind, not that they are randomly generated. Just as a farmer keeps seeds or grain in a barn, God has His designated places from which He releases the winds. This emphasizes His complete control and ability to deploy them as needed.
Purposeful Release
Whether gentle breezes or powerful gales, the winds are released from God’s reserves. This means that every gust, every storm, every calming breath of air is under His command and serves His purposes, whether for sailing, agriculture, or even judgment. It assures us that even the invisible forces of nature are managed by a loving, all-powerful Creator.
"He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses." — This verse highlights God's intimate involvement with weather, not just as an observer but as the one who actively gathers the very "vapors" from the farthest reaches of the earth. It also points out…
