Psalm 114:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?

NIV: Why was it, sea, that you fled? Why, Jordan, did you turn back?

NASB: What ails you, sea, that you flee? Jordan, that you turn back?

CSB: Why was it, sea, that you fled? Jordan, that you turned back?

NLT: What’s wrong, Red Sea, that made you hurry out of their way? What happened, Jordan River, that you turned away?

KJV: What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?

NKJV: What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back?

Psalm 114:5–8 asks symbolic questions to show the power of God. During the exodus from Egypt (Psalm 114:1), natural waters receded (Exodus 14:21; Joshua 3:13) and the earth shook (Exodus 19:18). As if they could answer, the psalmist asks these parts of earth to explain why they acted so. The expected answer is that they moved at the command of their Creator, God. Israel, the name given to Jacob (Genesis 32:28), received water from a rock (Exodus 17:6) through God's intervention.

The psalm begins by recalling the Israelites' departure from Egypt (Exodus 12:41). Jacob was the father of all the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 32:28) Israel's alienation is emphasized by mentioning the foreign language of Egypt. As part of their exodus journey, Israel saw sea waters part (Exodus 14:21). The Jordan River opened for the Israelites when they entered Canaan (Joshua 3:13). God delivered His messages to them, in part, while in the presence of earthquakes (Exodus 19:18).

Psalm 114 is one of the Hallel psalms (Psalms 113—118). These were sung at major celebrations such as Passover. The reference to the exodus from Egypt is why this group is sometimes called the "Egyptian Hallel." The songs feature heavy use of the term halelu-yāh. This literally means "praise the LORD," and English often presents it as "hallelujah." Several famous moments from the early days of Israel are noted in the psalm (Exodus 12:41; 14:21; 17:6).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/21/2024 6:32:25 AM