Psalms 114 - Printer Friendly

Psalms 113—118 were used at major celebrations, such Passover. This psalm's reference to Egyptian slavery is why this block is sometimes called the "Egyptian Hallel." The verses within this set of psalms repeatedly use the Hebrew word halelu-yāh. This is typically rendered in English as "hallelujah," and comes from a Hebrew combination literally meaning "praise" and "God [Yahweh]."

This psalm begins with a reference to Israel's rescue from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 12:41). Jacob was the father of the twelve tribes, and God renamed him "Israel" (Genesis 32:28). The tribe of Judah became the seat of government and the tribe of Israel's kings (Genesis 49:10). God used His relationship with Israel, His chosen people, to demonstrate His power and glory (Psalm 114:1–2).

During the exodus from Egypt, Israel witnesses multiple miracles. Among these were the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21) and the earth-shaking presence of God on Sinai (Exodus 19:18). Later, they walked over the Jordan river without getting wet thanks to God's intervention (Joshua 3:13). These were signs and proof of the Lord's work on behalf of His people (Psalm 114:3–4).

The psalmist emphasizes God's power by asking "rhetorical" questions. These are statements—not literal requests—framed as questions because the answer is assumed to be obvious. Here, the psalmist asks the natural water and land why it reacted that way. The expected reply is that they did so because of God's command. The power of the Lord caused these miraculous events (Psalm 114:5–6).

The song ends with further statements of God's power and influence. This also includes mention of another miracle which occurred during Israel's desert wandering. While suffering from thirst, the people were given water (Exodus 17:6) when God caused it to pour out of a rock (Psalm 114:7–8).

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.