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Psalms 114:5 World English Bible (WEB)

5 What was it, you sea, that you fled? You Jordan, that you turned back?

Cross Reference

Jeremiah 47:6-7 WEB

You sword of Yahweh, how long will it be before you be quiet? put up yourself into your scabbard; rest, and be still. How can you be quiet, seeing Yahweh has given you a charge? Against Ashkelon, and against the sea-shore, there has he appointed it.

Commentary on Psalms 114 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


PSALM 114

Ps 114:1-8. The writer briefly and beautifully celebrates God's former care of His people, to whose benefit nature was miraculously made to contribute.

1-4. of strange language—(compare Ps 81:5).

4. skipped … rams—(Ps 29:6), describes the waving of mountain forests, poetically representing the motion of the mountains. The poetical description of the effect of God's presence on the sea and Jordan alludes to the history (Ex 14:21; Jos 3:14-17). Judah is put as a parallel to Israel, because of the destined, as well as real, prominence of that tribe.

5-8. The questions place the implied answers in a more striking form.

7. at the presence of—literally, "from before," as if affrighted by the wonderful display of God's power. Well may such a God be trusted, and great should be His praise.