Read & explore together
A Psalm of Exodus
Psalm 114 is a song that praises the Lord by recalling Israel’s departure from Egypt and describing creation’s response in vivid poetic images. It helps readers notice God’s presence, power and care without turning the poem into a new story.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
In these eight verses, the psalm looks back to Israel going out of Egypt, names Judah and Israel as belonging to God, and speaks to sea, river, mountains and earth. The language is poetic, using questions and images to show the Lord’s greatness and nearness.
Psalms 114:1–8Main takeaway
Psalm 114 teaches that when the Lord is present with his people, all creation is shown to be under his power.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Israel comes out and belongs to GodThe psalm begins with Israel leaving Egypt, described as going out from a people of foreign language.
Explanation
The psalm begins with Israel leaving Egypt, described as going out from a people of foreign language. Then it says, “Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion.” A sanctuary is a holy place, and dominion speaks of rule. The poem shows that this people now especially belongs to the Lord.
02Sea, river and hills reactNext the psalm describes the sea fleeing, the Jordan turning back, and mountains and hills skipping like animals.
Explanation
Next the psalm describes the sea fleeing, the Jordan turning back, and mountains and hills skipping like animals. These are poetic pictures, not casual observations. The song presents parts of creation as reacting dramatically, so the reader feels the greatness of the Lord’s acts and presence.
03Questions draw attentionThe psalm then asks the sea, the Jordan, the mountains and the hills why they moved this way.
Explanation
The psalm then asks the sea, the Jordan, the mountains and the hills why they moved this way. These questions do not suggest that nature will answer with words. Instead, they make the listener pause and consider what could cause such a response from sea, river and land.
04The reason is the Lord’s presenceThe answer comes in a command: “Tremble, you earth, at the presence of the Lord.” The psalm ends by naming the God of Jacob and recalling water from rock and flint.
Explanation
The answer comes in a command: “Tremble, you earth, at the presence of the Lord.” The psalm ends by naming the God of Jacob and recalling water from rock and flint. The same Lord who was present with Jacob’s descendants has power to provide what they need.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What change is described in verse 2 after Israel came out of Egypt?
Look for the two phrases that say what Judah and Israel became in relation to God, and notice that both describe belonging to him.
02Which parts of creation are pictured as moving or reacting in this psalm?
List each one named in the poem and note the action connected with it, rather than adding details from elsewhere.
03According to the psalm, why should the earth tremble?
The reason is stated directly, and the final verse adds an example of the Lord’s power and provision.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 114:1–8
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.