Psalm 114: Praying Through The Psalms

Verse 1 (NIV): “When Israel came out of Egypt, Jacob from a people of foreign tongue”

O God, your word reminds us of the time the Israelites fled from slavery in Egypt to freedom on their journey to the promised land. The Hebrew word יִּצְא֣וּ (yitze’u) – means “came out” or “went forth”, and it shows how you deliver us from the trials we experience.

Thank you, Sovereign God, for protecting us. We are grateful that you are able to release us from the bondage of sin, fear, and oppression from the enemy. May we continue to trust in you as we navigate through this dark and broken world.

Verse 2 (NIV): “Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.”

Gracious king, מִקְדָּשׁ֑וֹ (miqdasho) – means “sanctuary” or “holy place”. You have set us apart from the rest of the world, just like Judah, the tribe from which King David and Jesus descended, was set apart as a sacred place for God’s presence and worship.

It is an honor and privilege to be considered a child of God. Thank you for rescuing us and giving us a new spirit. You are an amazing God!

Here are some other verses from the Bible that parallel this theme:

1. Psalm 132:13-14 (NIV): “For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying, ‘This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it.’ Zion, often synonymous with Jerusalem, is portrayed as God’s chosen dwelling place, where His presence rests eternally. This echoes the idea of Judah as God’s sanctuary in Psalm 114:2.
2. Exodus 15:17-18 (NIV): “You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance—the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established. The Lord reigns for ever and ever.” This passage reflects on God leading the Israelites to the Promised Land, the place He designated for His dwelling. It emphasizes God’s eternal reign, similar to the concept of Israel being His dominion in Psalm 114:2.
3. Psalm 68:16 (NIV): “Why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain, at the mountain where God chooses to reign, where the Lord himself will dwell forever? “Here, the psalmist contrasts the ruggedness of earthly mountains with the mountain where God chooses to reign, emphasizing its sanctity and eternal nature, akin to the idea of Judah becoming God’s sanctuary in Psalm 114:2.

Verse 3 (NIV): “The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back”

O God, the miraculous event of the Red Sea parting and the Jordan River halting its flow to allow the Israelites to pass through demonstrates your infinite power and brilliance. May we continue to trust in you with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength.

The Hebrew term for “fled” or “retreated” is יָסֹוף (yasoph), which carries the connotation of withdrawal, turning back, or fleeing. It signifies a dramatic movement or action of nature in response to God’s power. In the context of Psalm 114, it refers to the dramatic event of the Red Sea parting to allow the Israelites to pass through on dry ground, while the waters “fled” or “retreated” to the sides.

Other Bible stories that demonstrate a similar concept of natural elements obeying God’s command and withdrawing or retreating include:

1. Joshua 3:14-17 – The crossing of the Jordan River: When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant stepped into the Jordan River, the waters “rose up in a heap” and stopped flowing, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. The waters “stood firm” and formed a barrier until all the people had crossed over.
2. Joshua 10:12-14 – The day the sun stood still: During the battle of the Israelites against the Amorites, Joshua prayed for the sun and moon to stand still, and they obeyed his command. The text states, “The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.”
3. 1 Kings 17:1-6 – Elijah and the drought: Elijah, a prophet of God, pronounced a drought upon the land of Israel. As a demonstration of God’s power and judgment, He commanded ravens to feed Elijah and directed Elijah to a brook where he drank water. Eventually, due to the drought, the brook dried up.

Sovereign King, what a testimony of your power over creation. You are in control of our circumstances. Continue to lead us on the narrow road that leads to life. Protect us from our adversaries and may you be glorified in our lives.

Verse 4 (NIV): “the mountains leaped like rams, the hills like lambs.”

Father, thank you for revealing your power and majestic wonder in the created universe. This verse paints a picture of the extraordinary natural phenomena witnessed during the exodus, where even the landscape is responding with awe to your presence.

The Bible tells us that the heavens declare the glory of God. When Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders and his disciples, he made the statement in Luke 19:40: “I tell you,”He replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Here are some significant ideas conveyed in this verse and some Bible stories that exemplify similar themes:

1. The Power and Majesty of God: The imagery of mountains leaping and hills skipping like animals underscores the magnitude of God’s power over creation. It highlights His sovereignty and ability to bring about extraordinary phenomena.
2. The Responsive Nature of Creation: The verse demonstrates a personification of nature, as if the mountains and hills are responding to God’s presence with exuberance. It reflects the biblical idea of creation praising and glorifying its Creator (Psalm 96:11-12, Psalm 98:7-9).
3. Divine Intervention in Natural Events: This verse echoes the idea of God’s direct involvement in natural phenomena, displaying His control over creation. It signifies a supernatural intervention where the laws of nature are momentarily suspended to demonstrate God’s power and deliverance.

Bible Stories:

• The Earthquake at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:18): When God descended upon Mount Sinai to give the Ten Commandments to Moses, the mountain shook violently, and smoke billowed from it, demonstrating God’s powerful presence.
• The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8): During the Transfiguration, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, where He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun. This event revealed Jesus’ divine nature and authority over creation.

Modern Examples:

• Natural Disasters: While often devastating, natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes remind us of the immense power inherent in nature and serve as a contemporary illustration of the awe-inspiring forces at work in the world.
• Natural Wonders: Spectacular natural phenomena like the Northern Lights or the Grand Canyon can evoke a sense of wonder and awe, reflecting the beauty and power of creation, much like the imagery in Psalm 114:4.

Verse 5 (NIV): “Why was it, sea, that you fled? Why, Jordan, did you turn back?”

This term suggests that the sea and the Jordan River responded with fear or awe at the power of God, which caused them to retreat from their natural course. The Hebrew term: חִ֤יל (khil) – means “trembling” or “fear.”

ne sovereignty, awe-inspiring power, and provision for God’s people. It invites readers to contemplate the wonders of God’s creation, His miraculous interventions in history, and his ongoing faithfulness to those who trust in Him. Through vivid imagery and theological depth, these verses serve as a reminder of the enduring significance of God’s presence and His ability to bring forth life and transformation in the midst of adversity.