Matthew Poole and continuators on Nahum 1:5

5 The mountains quake at him , and the hills melt , and the earth is burnt at his presence, yea the world , and all that dwell therein.

The more known Mountains of that Country were mentioned verse 4. now the Prophet doth extend his Speech to all Mountains, how great soever, and how fast soever their Foundations are laid.

Tremble at his rebuke, not only are shaken by Earthquakes from natural causes, disposed by Gods power and wisdom, but are shaken and tremble under the effects of his extraordinary presence, Iudg. 5.4. Iob 9.5. Psal. 29.6. Ier. 10.10.

By his power, or at his displeasure, or indeed at his presence, Psal. 68.8. and so the Chald. Paraphrast.

The lesser Hills distinguisht from Mountains, or else 'tis a confirming ingemination of what he had said.

Gods Rebuke is as fire, Mountains and Hills like wax melt down before it, Psal. 114.6, 7, 8.

Which seems to be secure against the fury of the fire, yet proves combustible under the fire of Gods wrath.

Or else is taken away, withdraws its self, lifts up it self, as sometimes in Earthquakes, or as the Gallick Version, mounteth up in fire; the Heb. imports all these.

The Habitable world.

Whether they be far off, or near to Israel, both men, and all the rest of the Creatures, whose abode is on Earth, are wonderfully shaken, affrighted and overwhelmed at the tokens of God's rebuke.

Marginal references: Psal. 97.5.