ד) הֵאִירוּ בְרָקָיו תֵּבֵל רָאֲתָה וַתָּחֵל הָאָרֶץ:
His lightnings illuminated the world; the earth saw and quaked.
The Radak understands this allegorically as a reference to His judgements that are seen by all. When the nations of the world see the awesomeness of Hashem’s judgement, they are gripped by fear hence the end of the pasuk says that they will quake.
The Seforno understands it slightly differently. The lightning will illuminate the world for the righteous ones and cause the wicked to tremble. This idea is similar to the great light of clarity at the end of days mentioned by the prophet Malachi that will be a balm for the righteous and consume the wicked.
The Malbim explains that at this time the veil of darkness will be lifted from the world and the world will be filled with the light of the lightning. It will be clear to all that the source of this light is the Master of the Universe Himself and that the lighting itself is but a tool of His providential Hand. This will cause mankind to tremble from fear of retribution.
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