Psalm 114 5

Psalm 114:5 kjv

What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?

Psalm 114:5 nkjv

What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back?

Psalm 114:5 niv

Why was it, sea, that you fled? Why, Jordan, did you turn back?

Psalm 114:5 esv

What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?

Psalm 114:5 nlt

What's wrong, Red Sea, that made you hurry out of their way?
What happened, Jordan River, that you turned away?

Psalm 114 verses

Psalm 114 5 Meaning

Psalm 114:5 uses profound rhetorical questions to underscore God's supreme authority over creation. It recalls the two monumental instances where vast bodies of water, the Red Sea and the Jordan River, defied their natural order to facilitate Israel's miraculous deliverance. The verse vividly portrays these elements "fleeing" and being "driven back" in utter submission to the Lord's awe-inspiring presence, thereby proclaiming His unmatched power and active leadership in the history of His people.

Psalm 114 5 Context

Psalm 114 is a hymn celebrating the pivotal moments of Israel's exodus from Egyptian bondage and their miraculous entry into the Promised Land. It belongs to the collection of Hallel psalms (Psa 113-118), traditionally recited during significant Jewish festivals such as Passover. The psalm uses vibrant poetic imagery, personifying natural elements as responding with awe and trembling to the presence of the God of Israel. This specific verse (114:5) refers directly to two foundational historical events: the parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus (Exo 14) and the stopping of the Jordan River at Gilgal, allowing Israel to cross into Canaan (Josh 3). These events demonstrate God's unique power and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, establishing their identity and their understanding of their Lord.

Psalm 114 5 Word analysis

• Why fleddest thou, O sea?: The interrogative "Why" translates from the Hebrew "מַה" (mah), which introduces a rhetorical question designed to express astonishment rather than elicit an answer. It compels the listener to consider the extraordinary nature of the event. "Fleddest" is from the Hebrew "נָסְתָּה" (nāstāh), meaning "to flee" or "to run away," actively personifying the sea as a conscious entity overwhelmed by a greater force. The "sea" (יָם - yam) here directly refers to the Red Sea, whose waters miraculously separated. This personification serves as an implicit polemic against ancient Near Eastern pagan beliefs, particularly the worship of powerful sea deities like the Canaanite god Yam, demonstrating that Israel's God causes even such mighty forces to retreat in fear.

• and thou, Jordan, that thou wast driven back?: This extends the powerful rhetorical questioning and personification to the Jordan River (יַרְדֵּן - yardēn). The phrase "driven back" comes from the Hebrew "תִּסֹּב" (tissōv), meaning "to turn back" or "to retreat," describing the miraculous cessation and reversal of the river's flow as Israel entered Canaan. The use of personification across both bodies of water highlights their conscious reaction to divine presence, rather than mere coincidence.

• Words-group analysis: "Why fleddest thou... and thou, Jordan...": The consistent rhetorical questioning directly addressed to personified natural elements emphasizes the supernatural and extraordinary nature of these historical events. It elevates them from mere geographical phenomena to divine interventions, where creation itself bears witness to the Lord's power. The use of two distinct major bodies of water, the vast sea and the significant river, showcases the universal reach and undeniable supremacy of God's dominion over all of creation. This literary device prepares the listener for the conclusive answer in subsequent verses: all creation trembles "at the presence of the Lord."

Psalm 114 5 Bonus section

This verse, within the Hallel collection, plays a significant role in Jewish liturgical tradition, especially during Passover, reinforcing its profound theological meaning tied to liberation. The dramatic use of personification, making the inanimate react as if alive with terror, is a signature characteristic of this Psalm's poetic brilliance, effectively communicating the overwhelming impact of God's presence. It functions as a direct theological counterpoint to idol worship prevalent in the ancient world, where various gods were associated with or limited by natural phenomena. This Psalm makes it clear that the God of Israel transcends and controls all nature, reducing powerful elements to instruments of His will.

Psalm 114 5 Commentary

Psalm 114:5 is a profound declaration of God's unmatched sovereignty over creation, anchored in the historical realities of Israel's deliverance. By posing rhetorical questions to the sea and the Jordan River, the psalmist emphasizes the incomprehensible nature of these divine interventions from a human perspective. It’s not a question seeking an explanation, but an exclamation of awe and wonder. The sea did not part due to natural forces, nor did the Jordan cease flowing on its own; they responded to the active, fearful presence of the Almighty God. This verse reminds believers that their God is not limited by any natural barrier or human obstacle. The God who caused seas to flee and rivers to retreat is the same God who continues to make ways where there seem to be none. This powerful testimony of His control over the elements serves as a source of assurance, demonstrating that His plans for His people's salvation and progression cannot be thwarted. For instance, when believers face seemingly insurmountable obstacles in their path, recalling this verse can remind them of God's historical power to overcome the most formidable "waters" in their lives.