Worthy.Bible » ASV » Psalms » Chapter 114 » Verse 1

Psalms 114:1 American Standard (ASV)

1 When Israel went forth out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people of strange language;

Cross Reference

Exodus 12:41-42 ASV

And it came to pass at the end of four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of Jehovah went out from the land of Egypt. It is a night to be much observed unto Jehovah for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of Jehovah, to be much observed of all the children of Israel throughout their generations.

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.