O that thou wouldest rend &c. Lit. "hadst rent." So "hadst come down," "had quaked." This use of the perf. in the expression of a real wish, whose realisation is contemplated, is unusual, and is only to be explained by the urgency of the speaker's feeling. Driver, Tenses, § 140. see on ch. Isaiah 48:18.

rend the heavens Cf. ch. Isaiah 51:6; Psalms 18:9; Psalms 144:5.

might flow down Rather, might quake; cf. Judges 5:5. For the general conception of the Theophany cf. Psalms 50:1-6; Habakkuk 3:3 ff.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising