Psalm 114 3

Psalm 114:3 kjv

The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.

Psalm 114:3 nkjv

The sea saw it and fled; Jordan turned back.

Psalm 114:3 niv

The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back;

Psalm 114:3 esv

The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back.

Psalm 114:3 nlt

The Red Sea saw them coming and hurried out of their way!
The water of the Jordan River turned away.

Psalm 114 verses

Psalm 114 3 Meaning

Psalm 114:3 poetically describes two of God's most astounding acts of power in Israel's early history: the parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus from Egypt and the stopping of the Jordan River when Israel entered the Promised Land. The verse attributes these natural phenomena to the direct, awe-inspiring presence and power of the Creator, portraying the elements as sentient beings reacting in fear and obedience to the Lord. It signifies God's absolute sovereignty over creation in fulfilling His covenant promises of deliverance and land to His people.

Psalm 114 3 Context

Psalm 114 is a hymn of praise and wonder, celebrating the Exodus of Israel from Egypt and their subsequent journey to the Promised Land. The entire Psalm personifies natural elements to underscore God's awe-inspiring power and majesty displayed during these pivotal moments in Israelite history. The verse itself fits into a broader narrative recalling the profound effect of God's presence on creation: the sea's flight and Jordan's retreat (v. 3), followed by mountains skipping (v. 4), and then questions regarding their trembling (v. 5-6), culminating in an exhortation for the whole earth to tremble before the Lord (v. 7). This verse is a concise, poetic summary of two foundational national miracles.

Psalm 114 3 Word analysis

• The sea (יָם - yam):

  • Refers specifically to the Red Sea (Hebrew: Yam Suph – Sea of Reeds).
  • Significance: In ancient Near Eastern cosmologies, the sea often symbolized chaos, disorder, or powerful, untamable forces. Its submission to God highlights His ultimate authority over all chaotic elements and even opposing powers.

• looked (רָאָה - ra'ah):

  • This is an anthropomorphism, attributing human sensory perception to the sea.
  • Significance: It implies not merely a passive observation, but a recognition, an acknowledgment, or even an apprehension of the divine presence and power of the Lord. The sea saw God's arrival or His will being exerted.

• and fled (וַיָּנֹס - vayyānos):

  • Describes a rapid, fearful retreat, as from a pursuing enemy.
  • Significance: The chaotic waters of the sea demonstrate active submission and terrified obedience to a superior, unchallengeable force – the Lord Himself. It underscores the overwhelming nature of God's presence.

• the Jordan (הַיַּרְדֵּן - hayYardēn):

  • Refers to the Jordan River, which Israel crossed to enter Canaan (Josh 3).
  • Significance: Like the Red Sea, this was another major water obstacle, symbolically representing an insurmountable barrier. Its stopping emphasized God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise of leading them into the land.

• turned back (יִסֹּב לְאָחוֹר - yissōv le'akhôr):

  • Literally "revolved/turned backward," indicating a reversal of its natural flow or progress.
  • Significance: This describes a complete and unnatural cessation of movement, signifying a powerful, supernatural intervention that completely overrides the normal course of nature. Both "fled" and "turned back" powerfully demonstrate nature's inability to resist God's will.

Words-group analysis:

• "The sea looked and fled; the Jordan turned back.":
  • This entire phrase showcases parallelism, specifically synthetic or synonymous parallelism where the second half echoes and reinforces the idea of the first, using a different example. Both clauses vividly portray water bodies reacting directly to divine command, demonstrating the comprehensive and absolute power of God over all natural forces.
  • The pairing of these two monumental events – the Exodus from slavery (Red Sea) and the entry into the Promised Land (Jordan River) – frames the complete journey of deliverance and promise-fulfillment through divine power. These events were foundational for Israel's identity, proving Yahweh as the one true God who acts powerfully for His covenant people, standing in stark contrast to impotent pagan deities or forces of nature themselves.

Psalm 114 3 Bonus section

• Theological Implication of Anthropomorphism: While seemingly personifying inanimate objects, the primary aim of these poetic expressions is to magnify the divine. It's not about the sea's sentience, but about the terrifying majesty of God to whom even the fundamental laws of nature submit without question. This is a characteristic feature of much biblical poetry where creation is depicted as responsive to its Creator.
• Polemical Edge: In the context of the ancient Near East, where many cultures worshipped deities associated with sea, storms, and rivers (like Baal), Psalm 114:3 implicitly serves as a powerful polemic. It asserts Yahweh's sole and unchallenged supremacy over these forces, effectively demystifying and desacralizing false gods and their perceived dominion over nature. Only the God of Israel truly commands creation.
• A Recurring Divine Pattern: The drying up of water bodies for passage becomes a recurring motif in prophetic literature (e.g., Isa 11:15, Zech 10:11), signaling future deliverances or acts of judgment where God will once again assert His power over barriers to accomplish His will for His people.

Psalm 114 3 Commentary

Psalm 114:3 distills the profound impact of God's manifest presence during two pivotal moments of Israel's formation: the Exodus and the entrance into Canaan. It is a profound declaration that nature itself, far from being an independent or indifferent entity, responds dynamically and obediently to the sovereign will of the Lord. The anthropomorphism of the "sea looking and fleeing" and the "Jordan turning back" powerfully communicates that these were not mere coincidences or natural phenomena, but direct, conscious acts of divine intervention. The psalmist highlights God's unassailable power over obstacles, ensuring His covenant people reach their promised inheritance. This verse teaches us that God's power is absolute and unhindered by any physical barrier, serving as an eternal testament to His faithfulness and omnipotence. For us today, it encourages unwavering trust that God can remove any obstacle to His purposes, however insurmountable they may appear.