2 Samuel 22:8

8. Quakes and shakes There is a similar play upon the words in the Hebrew gaash and raash. From this verse on to 2 Samuel 22:17, the poet pictures his deliverance by the imagery of a sublime theophany drawn from the history of the scene at Sinai. Compare Exodus 19:16-21. So overwhelming was David’s subjective view of the magnitude and grandeur of his deliverance from all his foes, that in his gratitude and glory he finds no ordinary language adequate to express his emotions of triumphant joy. We are not to understand that this sublime theophany was a literal historical fact in David’s life, but rather a highly-wrought poetical picture of his many and great deliverances as they were apprehended by his soul at a moment of great spiritual exultation.

Foundations of the heavens A stronger expression than foundation of the hills, used in the corresponding passage in Psalms 18:0. The ideal pillars which support the skies are supposed to move and quake when God comes down in anger to smite David’s wicked enemies.