The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 114
In brief
Psalm 114 is a short poem that celebrates the exodus from Egypt in vivid images. Israel leaves a people of foreign language, and Judah becomes God's sanctuary. The sea flees and the Jordan turns back, recalling the Red Sea and the entry into the promised land. The mountains skip like rams: creation reacts to the presence of God. The psalm concludes that the earth must tremble before the Lord, who turns the rock into a pool and the flint into a spring of water. It belongs to the Hallel, sung at Passover.
The chapter in 4 parts
1When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign language,
2Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion.
3The sea saw it, and fled. The Jordan was driven back.
4The mountains skipped like rams, the little hills like lambs.
5What was it, you sea, that you fled? You Jordan, that you turned back?
6You mountains, that you skipped like rams; you little hills, like lambs?
7Tremble, you earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,
8who turned the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of waters.
Key verses
When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign language,
The psalm opens with the deliverance from Egypt, the founding event of Israel. It recalls that God is the one who brings his people out of slavery.
Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion.
God makes his people his sanctuary and his realm: deliverance leads to a relationship, not only to freedom.
The sea saw it, and fled. The Jordan was driven back.
The sea and the Jordan, which mark the beginning and the end of the crossing of the wilderness, turn back before God. Nothing can stop his will to lead his people.
who turned the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of waters.
The rock turned into a spring of water recalls the water given in the wilderness. The same God makes life flow from what looks driest.
Test your knowledge
Frequently asked questions about Psalm 114
What does Psalm 114 mean?
Psalm 114 sings of the exodus from Egypt and of God leading his people to the promised land. The sea and the Jordan part, the mountains skip and the earth trembles before God. It recalls that creation obeys its Creator and that this God sets his people free.
What is Psalm 114 used for in Jewish and Christian tradition?
It belongs to the Hallel (Psalms 113 to 118), sung by Jews at Passover and other feasts. Christians also see it as a song of deliverance. The New Testament mentions that Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn after the last meal, which many connect with the Hallel.
How can I pray with Psalm 114?
Use it to remember what God has done for you: a deliverance, a passage, an unexpected provision. Read verses 1 and 2 while giving thanks for those moments. Then read verse 8 while bringing him a situation that feels dry, and ask him to make life spring up in it.
World English Bible translation — public domain.