Psalm Chapter 114 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;
2 Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.
3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.
5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?
More Psalms Chapter 114 (Old Testament)
6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?
7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;
8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 114:2
Verse: בְּשִׁיר, יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: B’shir Yisrael
English: “When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language.”
Focus Word: יָצָא (Yatsa)
- Root: י-צ-א (Yod-Tsade-Aleph)
- Meaning: “To go out,” “to depart,” “to emerge.”
- Deeper Insight: Yatsa conveys liberation and movement, emphasizing God’s deliverance and guidance.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| בְּצֵאת — betzet | Verse 1 — “When Israel went out of Egypt…” | “To go out,” depart. | Betzet (“to go out”) emphasizes decisive liberation. It marks the historical moment of deliverance. The term roots the Psalm in redemption history. — Gesenius, Lexicon |
| יְהוּדָה — Yehudah | Verse 2 — “Judah became His sanctuary…” | “Praise,” name of the tribe. | Yehudah (“praise”) associates the tribe with sanctity and leadership. It reflects Israel’s identity as set apart. The term enriches the Psalm’s theological vision. — Delitzsch, Commentary |
| מָדוֹן — madon | Verse 3 — “The sea saw it and fled…” | “To flee,” retreat. | Madon (“to flee”) poeticizes nature responding to divine power. It signifies creation yielding to Yahweh. The verb heightens the dramatic imagery. — Keil, Commentary |
| יָסוּר — yasur | Verse 3 — “…Jordan turned back.” | “To turn back,” retreat. | Yasur (“to turn back”) conveys reversal of natural order. It indicates direct divine intervention. The term points to miraculous deliverance. — Gesenius, Lexicon |
| רָקַד — raqad | Verse 4 — “The mountains skipped like rams…” | “To skip,” leap. | Raqad (“to skip”) depicts joyful or trembling movement. It personifies creation reacting to God’s presence. The verb expresses awe and energy. — Delitzsch, Commentary |
| חוֹל — chol | Verse 7 — “Tremble, O earth…” | “Tremble,” writhe. | Chol (“to tremble”) signifies earth’s response to divine presence. It implies reverential shaking. The term reinforces God’s overwhelming majesty. — Keil, Commentary |
| הָפַךְ — hafach | Verse 8 — “Who turned the rock into water…” | “To turn,” transform. | Hafach (“to turn/transform”) stresses divine power to reverse natural states. It symbolizes provision in impossibility. The term underscores God’s creative authority. — Gesenius, Lexicon |
| צֻר — tzur | Verse 8 — “…rock into a pool of water.” | “Rock,” strong stone. | Tzur (“rock”) symbolizes stability and apparent barrenness. Its transformation showcases divine capability. The term strengthens themes of miraculous provision. — Delitzsch, Commentary |
| מַעְיָן — ma‘yan | Verse 8 — “…flint into a fountain…” | “Fountain,” spring. | Ma‘yan (“spring”) represents life-giving water. It conveys renewal and sustenance. The word enhances the imagery of divine generosity. — Keil, Commentary |
| חַלָּמִישׁ — challamish | Verse 8 — “flint into a fountain of waters.” | “Flint,” hard stone. | Challamish (“flint”) stresses the hardness of the material to magnify the miracle. It shows divine power overcoming natural limitations. The term adds dramatic force to the verse. — Gesenius, Lexicon |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 114 |
|---|---|---|
| Hugh Binning (University of Glasgow, 1627–1653) | Sermons on the Psalms | Binning portrays the Psalm as a remembrance of God’s miraculous interventions and the awe they inspire. |
| William Lowth (University of Oxford, 1660–1732) | Commentary on the Psalms | Lowth emphasizes the Psalm’s focus on the power of God to rescue and lead His people. |
| Johann Albrecht Bengel (University of Tübingen, 1687–1752) | Gnomon Novi Testamenti | Bengel shows the Psalm as illustrating the sovereignty of God over nature and history. |
| James Durham (St Andrews / Edinburgh, 1622–1658) | Commentary on the Psalms | Durham notes that recalling God’s past deliverances inspires trust and obedience. |
| Philip Doddridge (Northampton Academy, 1702–1751) | Family Expositor | Doddridge emphasizes the transformative power of remembering God’s acts in shaping devotion. |
Psalms Chapter 114 Devotional: Doing The Impossible
Thought for the day: With God, you can do great things
Message:
This Psalm records the great and mighty things done through Moses and the children of Israel in the wilderness journey. Reading about these miracles shares with us how God loves His own, and that great things can be done through His people.
Considering when He first spoke to Moses about going back to Eygpt, Moses was surprised after his rod turned into a snake and many other things that God revealed to him. Getting to Eygpt, God did great things through him and Aaron.
God is still looking for His own that He can use in this way on the earth.
What is the theme of Psl. 114?
The theme of Psl. 114 is that there is no limit to what God can do when He sees a ready man. The scripture reading today told us about how the red sea ran from them and Jordan went back. Scripture also shares how the mountain was like a ram and how the rock was turned into water. Wow. The reason this happened was because God was in the camp.
When you allow God to take charge of your life and you become a chaser of God, He will do great things through you. See Peter’s response to the lame man at the beautiful gate in the book of Acts.
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
Amazing! Peter wanted to try the works of God. He wanted to do them the way Christ did them. You too can do great things through Jesus. The Bible says that they that know their God shall be strong and do great exploits.
Rise from where you are and possess your mountain.
My Counsel
Ø Don’t die like an ordinary man, surrender your life to Christ. He will use you greatly.
Ø You can achieve anything when you allow God in your life.
Declaration
Lord Jesus, my life is yours. I ask that you use me greatly and mightily in Jesus' Name.
