Yod
“Yahweh protects those
Who take refuge in him,
Even in a rushing flood.”
According to the Hebrew letter Yod, Yahweh would protect anyone who took refuge in him, even those in a raging flood. Is this perhaps an allusion to the great flood in Genesis?
Tet
“Yahweh is good.
He is a stronghold
In a day of trouble.”
The Hebrew letter Tet, proclaims that Yahweh is good. Thus, in a day of trouble, Yahweh would be a stronghold for them.
Heth
“Yahweh’s wrath
Is poured out
Like fire.
The rocks
Are broken into pieces
By him.”
According to the Hebrew letter Heth, Yahweh’s anger has been poured out like fire. Once again, in a show of force, he was able to break all the rocks into pieces.
Zain
“Who can stand
Before his indignation?
Who can endure
The heat of his anger?”
The Hebrew letter Zain wants to know who could stand up to the indignation of Yahweh? Who would be able to endure his hot anger?
Vav
“The earth heaves
Before him.
The world heaves.
All who live in the world
Heave.”
With the Hebrew letter Vav, the whole world, including the earth and everybody in it, would tremble or heave back and forth.
He
“The mountains quake
Before him.
The hills melt.”
The Hebrew letter He indicates that the great mountains would quake before Yahweh, while the small hills would melt away before him, since the might of Yahweh was limitless.
Daleth
“Bashan withers.
Carmel withers.
The bloom
Of Lebanon
Fades.”
In this Hebrew letter of Daleth, the lush fertile grazing area of Bashan would wither and dry up. The same goes for the lush mountainous area of Carmel and the rich forests of Lebanon, since they would all fade and dry up also.
Gimel
“Yahweh rebukes
The sea.
He makes it dry.
He dries up
All the rivers.”
In this Hebrew letter, Gimel, Yahweh was able to rebuke the sea, since he controlled it. He was able to dry up the large seas and the smaller rivers.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 