תהלים, פרק כ״ט, פסוק ו׳

The immense power of God's presence has the ability to overturn the natural order, turning the most unmovable, heavy foundations of the earth into weightless, leaping creatures. The sheer force of God's voice sends shockwaves through creation, much like the intense reverberation of powerful thunder [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, מאירי]. This divine power causes massive, towering mountains—specifically well-known peaks like Lebanon and Sirion, the latter identified as Mount Hermon [רש״י, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]—to shake and leap with ease [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The imagery of this movement is striking. While a fully grown, heavy bull is slow and grounded, young animals like a calf or a young wild ox are naturally light, constantly running and jumping [מאירי, מצודת ציון, אבן עזרא]. By making the massive mountains skip like these young animals, God demonstrates how even the most enormous elements of creation are moved swiftly and effortlessly by His command. The mention of these specific mountains also serves as a poetic continuation of the destruction of the mighty cedars of Lebanon [מצודת דוד].

Beyond the physical shaking of the earth, this dramatic imagery carries deep symbolic and historical meaning. One tradition connects this movement to the revelation at Mount Sinai, explaining that the mountains and cedars literally danced out of a desire to hear the giving of the Torah [רש״י]. Alternatively, the mountains serve as a metaphor for great kings and powerful empires [מאירי]. In this historical light, the imagery reflects the victories of the Israelites over their enemies. The mountain of Lebanon represents the coalition of Canaanite kings, while Sirion stands for Sihon, king of the Amorites. These arrogant rulers eagerly rushed and danced with joy into battle against the Israelites. However, it was ultimately God who orchestrated their movements, gathering them together in a frenzy only to bring about their absolute downfall [אלשיך].