Psalm 114
- When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;
- Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.
- The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.
- The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.
- What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?
- Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?
- Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;
- Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
Psalm 114 reflects on the miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egypt and their journey to the promised land. The psalmist begins by recalling Israel’s departure from Egypt, led by God, and describes how even nature itself responded to God’s presence.
The psalm vividly depicts the sea and the Jordan River retreating at the sight of God, allowing the Israelites to pass through on dry ground. The imagery of mountains and hills trembling and skipping highlights the awe-inspiring power of God’s intervention in nature.
The psalmist addresses the elements directly, questioning why they reacted in such a manner. The rhetorical questions serve to emphasize the magnitude of God’s power and the reverence all creation owes to Him.
In conclusion, the psalm calls upon the earth to tremble in the presence of the Lord, who has the power to transform even the hardest of substances into sources of life. The image of water flowing from the rock symbolizes God’s provision and sustenance for His people, even in the most desolate of places.
Overall, Psalm 114 celebrates God’s sovereignty over creation and His faithfulness in delivering His people, encouraging believers to trust in His power and provision.