Psalms 114:6
Psalms 114:6 in Multiple Translations
O mountains, that you skipped like rams, O hills, like lambs?
Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?
Ye mountains, that ye skip like rams; Ye little hills, like lambs?
You mountains, why were you jumping like goats, and you little hills like lambs?
Mountains—why did you jump in fright? Hills—why did you startle like lambs?
Ye mountaines, why leaped ye like rams, and ye hils as lambes?
O mountains, ye skip as rams! O heights, as sons of a flock!
You mountains, that you skipped like rams? You little hills, like lambs?
Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?
The Lord is the keeper of little ones: I was little and he delivered me.
What happened that caused the mountains to skip like goats and caused the hills to jump around like lambs?”
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 114:6
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 114:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הֶֽ֭/הָרִים
תִּרְקְד֣וּ
כְ/אֵילִ֑ים
גְּ֝בָע֗וֹת
כִּ/בְנֵי
צֹֽאן
הֶֽ֭/הָרִים
har
H2022
mountain
Art | N-mp
תִּרְקְד֣וּ
râqad
H7540
to skip about
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
כְ/אֵילִ֑ים
ʼayil
H352
ram
Prep | N-mp
גְּ֝בָע֗וֹת
gibʻâh
H1389
Gibeat
N-fp
כִּ/בְנֵי
bên
H1121
son
Prep | N-mp
צֹֽאן
tsôʼn
H6629
Sheep (Gate)
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 114:6
הֶֽ֭/הָרִים
har
H2022
"mountain"
Art | N-mp
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
תִּרְקְד֣וּ
râqad
H7540
"to skip about"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
This verb means to jump or dance around, often with joy or excitement. It is used in the Bible to describe celebrations and happy times, like the Israelites dancing after defeating their enemies.
Definition: 1) to skip about 1a) (Qal) to skip about 1b) (Piel) to dance, leap 1c) (Hiphil) to make to skip
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: dance, jump, leap, skip. See also: 1 Chronicles 15:29; Psalms 114:6; Psalms 29:6.
כְ/אֵילִ֑ים
ʼayil
H352
"ram"
Prep | N-mp
A strong tree, like an oak or a ram, symbolizes strength and power, as seen in 1 Kings 7:2 where Solomon builds a house with strong pillars. It can also refer to a chief or leader, like in 1 Chronicles 12:14 where the leaders of the tribes are listed.
Definition: 1) ram 1a) ram (as food) 1b) ram (as sacrifice) 1c) ram (skin dyed red, for tabernacle)
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree. See also: Genesis 15:9; Numbers 28:20; Psalms 66:15.
גְּ֝בָע֗וֹת
gibʻâh
H1389
"Gibeat"
N-fp
Gibeat refers to a small hill, with the name meaning hill, and is another spelling of Gibeah. It appears in various KJV translations as hill or little hill.
Definition: This name means hill Another spelling of giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeah" H1390H)
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: hill, little hill. See also: Genesis 49:26; Isaiah 30:17; Psalms 65:13.
כִּ/בְנֵי
bên
H1121
"son"
Prep | N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
צֹֽאן
tsôʼn
H6629
"Sheep (Gate)"
N-cs
This word refers to a flock of sheep or goats, and is sometimes used to describe people in a figurative sense. It is also associated with the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, a significant location in biblical times.
Definition: This name means sheep and goats Also named: probatikos (προβατικός "Sheep Gate" G4262)
Usage: Occurs in 247 OT verses. KJV: (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds). See also: Genesis 4:2; Deuteronomy 28:31; Psalms 44:12.
Study Notes — Psalms 114:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — A Psalm of Exodus
4the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.
5Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back,
6O mountains, that you skipped like rams, O hills, like lambs?
7Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, 8who turned the rock into a pool, the flint into a fountain of water!Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 29:6 | He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. |
| 2 | Psalms 114:4 | the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. |
Psalms 114:6 Summary
Psalms 114:6 is a beautiful and poetic verse that describes the power and majesty of God, using the imagery of mountains and hills skipping like animals to convey His greatness. This verse reminds us that God is the creator and ruler of all things, and that He has the power to move and shape creation as He sees fit, as we also see in Psalms 95:4-5. Just as the mountains and hills respond to God's presence, we too can respond to His power and majesty in our lives, trusting Him to work miraculously on our behalf, just as He did for the Israelites in Exodus 14:13-31. By reflecting on this verse, we can deepen our understanding of God's character and our trust in His sovereignty over all things.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the mountains and hills skipping like rams and lambs in Psalms 114:6?
This verse is a poetic expression of the power and majesty of God, similar to what is described in Psalms 29:1-11, where the voice of the Lord is depicted as causing the mountains to skip like calves.
Is this verse describing a real historical event or a figurative one?
While the exact historical context is unclear, the language used in Psalms 114:6 suggests a miraculous and supernatural event, similar to the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14:13-31, where God's power is on full display.
What can we learn about God's character from this verse?
This verse reveals God's majesty, power, and ability to move and shape creation, highlighting His sovereignty over all things, as also seen in Jeremiah 32:17, where God declares that nothing is too difficult for Him.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Psalm?
Psalms 114:6 is part of a larger narrative that describes God's deliverance of His people, with the preceding verses setting the stage for the miraculous events described, and the following verses, such as Psalms 114:7-8, emphasizing God's presence and provision for His people.
Reflection Questions
- As I reflect on the image of mountains skipping like rams and hills like lambs, what does this reveal to me about God's power and majesty in my own life?
- How can I apply the truth of God's sovereignty over creation, as seen in Psalms 114:6, to my daily struggles and challenges?
- In what ways can I, like the mountains and hills, respond to God's presence and power in my life, and what would this look like in practical terms?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to see God's miraculous power and intervention, and how can I pray and trust Him for these things?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 114:6
Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams,.... Not for joy, but fear; what caused these trembling motions, these violent agitations, and quakings, and movings to and fro like the skipping of rams? And ye little hills, like lambs?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 114:6
What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams?
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 114:6
Psalms 114:6 Ye mountains, [that] ye skipped like rams; [and] ye little hills, like lambs?Ver. 6. Ye mountains, that ye skipped, &c.] These two verses teach us, saith one, that we may many times ask questions; and yet neither doubt of the matter nor be ignorant in them.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 114:6
5, 6. The past becomes present to the poet’s mind, and he challenges Nature to explain its behaviour. The A.V. misses the vividness of the Hebrew tenses. Render: What aileth thee, thou sea, that thou fleest? Thou Jordan, that thou turnest back? Ye mountains, that ye skip like rams? Ye hills, like young sheep?