Psalm 46/Notes/Lexical.v. 7.300054

The verb מוג represents a “process by which a relatively hard object becomes softer” (SDBH). In HB, it often indicates helplessness and terror, especially in “holy war” traditions. Hence, it describes a "process by which people are strongly affected by fear" and lose courage (literally, their "heart" or "soul" can melt; SDBH). With "earth" as its subject, מוג signifies melting or dissolving of the earth in response to theophanies, in response to God’s punitive actions (e.g., Am 9:5). In v. 7, amidst the turmoil orchestrated by human forces, God raises his voice (cf. Ps 29; the Ugaritic texts [e.g., CTA 4.v. 70]), and “the very earth, which is the setting for the power of human states, 'melts' beneath them (v 7d).”