“Tremble” here reaches for the transcendental: awed respect, reverent humility. Promethean man trembles before neither earth nor altar; he takes charge. Technological woman trembles before neither forest nor angel host; she operates her slide rule with steady hands. People at prayer tremble, along with the whole creation that “waits with eager longing” (Romans 8:19) and in hopeful adoration before the mystery of creation and salvation that “in everything God works for good” (Romans 8:28).
