Psalms 114

Psalms 114:1-8

This song celebrates the Lord's power in nature. It remembers Israel's start as a nation during the exodus (Psalm 114:1–2) and their entry into the promised land (114:3–6). It encourages respect for the God of Jacob (Psalm 114:7–8).

Psalms 114:1-2

• At the time of Israel’s exodus from Egypt and their entrance into the promised land, Israel was one holy kingdom (Exodus 19:5–6).

• The mention of Judah and Israel as separate lands shows the psalm was written after the kingdom was divided (1 Kings 12:16–17; compare 1 Samuel 11:8; 1 Kings 1:35), and probably after the exile. Judah became God's sanctuary because the people worshiped God there. His tabernacle, and later his temple, were located there.

Psalms 114:3-4

• fled: God parted the waters so that Israel could escape Egypt (Psalm 77:17–18; Exodus 14).

• The Jordan River turned back when Israel arrived to cross it (see Joshua 3).

• skipped like rams: God's presence made the mountains quake (Exodus 19:16–20).

Psalms 114:8

The Lord miraculously provided for his people in hard times after the exile, just as he had done in the wilderness after the exodus.

Aquifer Open Study Notes © 2026 Mission Mutual, an adaptation of the Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.