Psalms 114:3
Psalms 114:3 in Multiple Translations
The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back;
The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.
The sea saw it, and fled; The Jordan was driven back.
The sea saw it, and went in flight; Jordan was turned back.
The Red Sea saw them and ran away; the Jordan River retreated.
The Sea sawe it and fled: Iorden was turned backe.
The sea hath seen, and fleeth, The Jordan turneth backward.
The sea saw it, and fled. The Jordan was driven back.
The sea saw it , and fled: Jordan was driven back.
The sorrows of death have encompassed me: and the perils of hell have found me. I met with trouble and sorrow:
When they came to the Red Sea, it was as though the water saw them and ran away! When they came to the Jordan River, that water in the river stopped flowing so that the Israelis could cross it.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 114:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 114:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַ/יָּ֣ם
רָ֭אָה
וַ/יָּנֹ֑ס
הַ֝/יַּרְדֵּ֗ן
יִסֹּ֥ב
לְ/אָחֽוֹר
הַ/יָּ֣ם
yâm
H3220
West
Art | N-ms
רָ֭אָה
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
וַ/יָּנֹ֑ס
nûwç
H5127
to flee
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַ֝/יַּרְדֵּ֗ן
Yardên
H3383
Jordan
Art | N-proper
יִסֹּ֥ב
çâbab
H5437
to turn
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לְ/אָחֽוֹר
ʼâchôwr
H268
back
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 114:3
הַ/יָּ֣ם
yâm
H3220
"West"
Art | N-ms
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
רָ֭אָה
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
וַ/יָּנֹ֑ס
nûwç
H5127
"to flee"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To flee means to quickly leave a place, like escaping from danger, as seen in the Bible when David fled from King Saul. It can also mean to disappear or vanish. In the book of Psalms, it describes God delivering his people from harm.
Definition: 1) to flee, escape 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to flee 1a2) to escape 1a3) to take flight, m depart, disappear 1a4) to fly (to the attack) on horseback 1b) (Polel) to drive at 1c) (Hithpolel) to take flight 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to put to flight 1d2) to drive hastily 1d3) to cause to disappear, hide Aramaic equivalent: nud (נוּד "to flee" H5111)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard. See also: Genesis 14:10; 2 Samuel 17:2; Psalms 60:6.
הַ֝/יַּרְדֵּ֗ן
Yardên
H3383
"Jordan"
Art | N-proper
The Jordan River, which runs from Lebanon to the Dead Sea, is a key location in the Bible, including in the stories of Jesus and the Israelites.
Definition: Jordan = "descender" the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approx 200 miles (320 km) Also named: Iordanēs (Ἰορδάνης "Jordan" G2446)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Jordan. See also: Genesis 13:10; Joshua 12:1; Psalms 42:7.
יִסֹּ֥ב
çâbab
H5437
"to turn"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To turn or surround is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can be used literally or figuratively. It appears in the Bible to describe changing direction or surrounding something.
Definition: : turn/bring_around 1) to turn, turn about or around or aside or back or towards, go about or around, surround, encircle, change direction 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn, turn about, be brought round, change 1a2) to march or walk around, go partly around, circle about, skirt, make a round, make a circuit, go about to, surround, encompass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to turn oneself, close round, turn round 1b2) to be turned over to 1c) (Piel) to turn about, change, transform 1d) (Poel) 1d1) to encompass, surround 1d2) to come about, assemble round 1d3) to march, go about 1d4) to enclose, envelop 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to turn, cause to turn, turn back, reverse, bring over, turn into, bring round 1e2) to cause to go around, surround, encompass 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be turned 1f2) to be surrounded
Usage: Occurs in 148 OT verses. KJV: bring, cast, fetch, lead, make, walk, [idiom] whirl, [idiom] round about, be about on every side, apply, avoid, beset (about), besiege, bring again, carry (about), change, cause to come about, [idiom] circuit, (fetch a) compass (about, round), drive, environ, [idiom] on every side, beset (close, come, compass, go, stand) round about, inclose, remove, return, set, sit down, turn (self) (about, aside, away, back). See also: Genesis 2:11; 1 Chronicles 16:43; Psalms 7:8.
לְ/אָחֽוֹר
ʼâchôwr
H268
"back"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means the back or rear side of something. It can also refer to a location or direction, like the West. In Genesis, it describes the back of the Tabernacle.
Definition: 1) the back side, the rear 1a) backwards 1b) hereafter (of time) 1c) behind
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: after(-ward), back (part, -side, -ward), hereafter, (be-) hind(-er part), time to come, without. See also: Genesis 49:17; Psalms 129:5; Psalms 9:4.
Study Notes — Psalms 114:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 114:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 114:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 114:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 114:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 114:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 114:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 114:3
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 114:3
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 114:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 114:3
- Sermons on Psalms 114:3
Context — A Psalm of Exodus
1When Israel departed from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue,
2Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel His dominion.
3The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back;
4the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. 5Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 77:16 | The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken. |
| 2 | Exodus 14:21 | Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, |
| 3 | Joshua 3:13–16 | When the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD—the Lord of all the earth—touch down in the waters of the Jordan, its flowing waters will be cut off and will stand up in a heap.” So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of them. Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea ) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. |
| 4 | Habakkuk 3:8–9 | Were You angry at the rivers, O LORD? Was Your wrath against the streams? Did You rage against the sea when You rode on Your horses, on Your chariots of salvation? You brandished Your bow; You called for many arrows. Selah You split the earth with rivers. |
| 5 | Isaiah 63:12 | who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown, |
| 6 | Habakkuk 3:15 | You trampled the sea with Your horses, churning the great waters. |
| 7 | Exodus 15:8 | At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up; like a wall the currents stood firm; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea. |
| 8 | Psalms 106:9 | He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; He led them through the depths as through a desert. |
| 9 | Psalms 104:7 | At Your rebuke the waters fled; at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away— |
| 10 | Psalms 74:15 | You broke open the fountain and the flood; You dried up the ever-flowing rivers. |
Psalms 114:3 Summary
[Psalms 114:3 tells us that the sea and the Jordan River stopped in their tracks when they saw God's power, showing us that even nature obeys God's commands, just like in Exodus 14:21-31 where the Red Sea parted for the Israelites. This verse reminds us that God is all-powerful and in control, and we can trust Him with our lives. As we read in Jeremiah 32:17, God is able to do anything He wants, and as we see in Psalms 107:23-30, He is still the same powerful God today.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the sea and the Jordan turning back in Psalms 114:3?
The sea and the Jordan turning back symbolize the power and authority of God, as seen in Exodus 14:21-31 where the Red Sea parted for the Israelites to escape from the Egyptians, and in Joshua 3:13-17 where the Jordan River stopped flowing to allow the Israelites to cross into the Promised Land.
Is this verse talking about a historical event or a poetic expression?
While the verse has roots in historical events such as the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14:21-31, it is also a poetic expression of God's power and majesty, similar to what is described in Psalms 77:16-20.
What can we learn from the reaction of the sea and the Jordan in this verse?
The reaction of the sea and the Jordan teaches us about the awe-inspiring power of God, reminding us of His ability to control nature, as seen in Job 38:8-11 and Psalms 107:23-30.
How does this verse relate to our lives today?
This verse encourages us to trust in God's power and providence, just as the Israelites did when they saw the Red Sea part and the Jordan River stop flowing, and to remember that God is still the same powerful God today, as Hebrews 13:8 reminds us.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's power and providence, just like the Israelites did when they saw the sea and the Jordan turn back?
- How can I apply the lesson of God's control over nature to my own life, especially in times of uncertainty or fear?
- In what ways can I, like the sea and the Jordan, respond to God's presence and power in my life?
- What are some ways I can remember and retell the stories of God's power and deliverance in my life, just like the psalmist is doing in this verse?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 114:3
The sea saw it, and fled,.... When the Word of the Lord appeared at it, as the Targum in the king's Bible; the Red sea, to which the Israelites came when they went out of Egypt; this saw that Judah
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 114:3
The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. The sea saw (it), and fled - (Exodus 14:21.) Jordan was driven back - (Joshua 3:13-16.) The sea and the rivers are the emblem of the overwhelming
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 114:3
Saw it, to wit, this glorious work of God in bringing his people out of Egypt.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 114:3
Psalms 114:3 The sea saw [it], and fled: Jordan was driven back.Ver. 3. The sea saw it, and fled] When God will deliver his people, and perform his promises unto them, nothing shall hinder, but all creatures shall contribute their helps; for they are all his servants, Psalms 119:91.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 114:3
(3) Fled.—The Authorised Version weakens the effect by rendering “it was driven back.” (See Joshua 3:16.) The scene presented is of the “descending stream” (the words employed seem to have a special reference to that peculiar and most significant name of the “Jordan”) not parted asunder, as we generally fancy, but, as the psalm expresses it, “turned backwards” (Stanley, Jewish Church, i. 229).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 114:3
Verse 3. The sea saw it, and fled] Mr. Addison has properly observed (see Spect. No. 461) that the author of this Psalm designedly works for effect, in pointing out the miraculous driving back the Red Sea and the river Jordan, and the commotion of the hills and mountains, without mentioning any agent. At last, when the reader sees the sea rapidly retiring from the shore, Jordan retreating to its source, and the mountains and hills running away like a flock of affrighted sheep, that the passage of the Israelites might be every where uninterrupted; then the cause of all is suddenly introduced, and the presence of God in his grandeur solves every difficulty.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 114:3
3, 4. The wonders of the Exodus from Egypt and the Entry into Canaan.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 114:3
The sea saw it - The word it is supplied, not very properly, by our translators.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 114:3
3. The sea… Jordan— “The dividing of the sea opens, and the dividing of the Jordan closes, the journey through the desert to Canaan.”—Delitzsch. Between these points are grouped rapidly the wonders celebrated in the psalm.
Sermons on Psalms 114:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Thy Way Was in the Sea by T. Austin-Sparks | The video is a sermon about the way in which the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt and through the Red Sea. The speaker reflects on how he had previously written a song about |
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A Message for New Christians by Oswald J. Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of four steps to reach the Promised Land. The first step is separation from sin, where individuals must distance themselves f |
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The Worms Shall Crawl Out of Their Holes by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the loss of trust and confidence in various institutions, including the judicial system, school system, and even marriage. He highlights the p |
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(Exodus) Exodus 14:13-16 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. He emphasizes that it is God who works on their behalf and they simply need to a |
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Comfort Proclaimed by C.H. Spurgeon | The sermon transcript emphasizes the importance of comforting others in times of sorrow and distress. It encourages believers to find solace in God's presence and to share the mess |
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What Holds Back Revival by Don Courville | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of doing kind deeds as a way to open doors for sharing one's testimony. The preacher also highlights the need for personal sa |
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Taking Back Your Song in the Night by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing gratitude and praise to Jesus. They emphasize the importance of thanking and praising God. The speaker then shares a personal story |