21 Heb “he stands.”
22 This verb has been traditionally understood as “measure” (from מוּד, mud), but the immediately following context (vv. 6b–7) favors the meaning “shake” from מָוד (mavd; see ).
23 Heb “makes [the nations] jump [in fear].”
24 Or “crumbled,” broke into pieces.”
25 Heb “ancient ways [or, “doings”] are his.” The meaning of this line is unclear. Traditionally it has been translated, “his ways are eternal.” However, in this context (see vv. 3, 7) it is more likely that the line speaks of the Lord taking the same route as in the days of Moses and Deborah (see Deut 33:2; Judg 5:4). See J. J. M. Roberts, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (), 154.

In other versions

He stood and measured the earth;

he looked and shook the nations;

then the eternal mountains were scattered;

the everlasting hills sank low.

His were the everlasting ways.

He stood, and shook the earth;

he looked, and made the nations tremble.

The ancient mountains crumbled

and the age-old hills collapsed—

but he marches on forever.

He stands and shakes the earth;

he looks and startles the nations.

The age-old mountains break apart;

the ancient hills sink down.

His pathways are ancient.

When he stops, the earth shakes.

When he looks, the nations tremble.

He shatters the everlasting mountains

and levels the eternal hills.

He is the Eternal One!

He stood and measured the earth;

he looked and made the nations tremble.

Then the mountains of old were shattered;

the hills of old collapsed.

The ways of old belong to him.

He stood, and measured the earth:

He beheld, and drove asunder the nations;

And the everlasting mountains were scattered,

The perpetual hills did bow:

His ways are everlasting.

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