King James Version
Psalm 114
Striking poetic images depict the Exodus in this short hymn, which forms part of the Egyptian Hallel sequence (Psalms 113 to 118) in Book V. The poem describes nature's dramatic reaction when Israel departed Egypt, picturing the Red Sea fleeing, the Jordan River driven back, and mountains skipping like rams. Physical nature trembles before the presence of the Lord, who transforms hard rock into standing water to sustain people. The poem celebrates national liberation and sacred presence without mentioning human leaders. A key verse summarizes this reverent awe: 'Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.'
1 When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;
2 Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.
3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.
5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?
6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?
7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;
8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
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