Psalms 24:2

24:2 For he set its foundation upon the seas,

and established ¹  it upon the ocean currents. ² 

Psalms 119:90

119:90 You demonstrate your faithfulness to all generations. ³ 

You established the earth and it stood firm.

Micah 6:2

6:2 Hear the Lord’s accusation, you mountains,

you enduring foundations of the earth!

For the Lord has a case against his people;

he has a dispute with Israel! ⁴ 

Habakkuk 3:6

3:6 He takes his battle position ⁵  and shakes ⁶  the earth;

with a mere look he frightens ⁷  the nations.

The ancient mountains disintegrate; ⁸ 

the primeval hills are flattened.

He travels on the ancient roads. ⁹ 

[24:2]  ¹ tn The prefixed verbal form is understood as a preterite, referring to the creation of the world.

[24:2]  ² sn He…established it upon the ocean currents. The description reflects ancient Israelite prescientific cosmology, which is based on outward appearances. The language also suggests that God’s creative work involved the subjugation of chaos, symbolized by the sea.

[119:90]  ³ tn Heb “to a generation and a generation [is] your faithfulness.”

[6:2]  ⁴ tn This verse briefly interrupts the Lord’s statement (see vv. 1, 3) as the prophet summons the mountains as witnesses. Because of this v. 2 has been placed in parentheses in the translation.

[3:6]  ⁵ tn Heb “he stands.”

[3:6]  ⁶ tn This verb has been traditionally understood as “measure” (from מוּד, mud), but the immediately following context (vv. 6b-7) favors the meaning “shake” from מָוד (mavd; see HALOT 555 s.v.).

[3:6]  ⁷ tn Heb “makes [the nations] jump [in fear].”

[3:6]  ⁸ tn Or “crumbled,” broke into pieces.”

[3:6]  ⁹ tn Heb “ancient ways [or, “doings”] are his.” The meaning of this line is unclear. Traditionally it has been translated, “his ways are eternal.” However, in this context (see vv. 3, 7) it is more likely that the line speaks of the Lord taking the same route as in the days of Moses and Deborah (see Deut 33:2; Judg 5:4). See J. J. M. Roberts, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (OTL), 154.