When Israel went out from Egypt,
the house of Jacob from a people of strange language…
That’s the way Psalm 114 begins. It’s a look back at some of the incredible events revolving around Israel’s exodus from Egypt.
- “The sea looked and fled” (114:3) reminds us of Exodus 14, when God split the Red Sea.
- The psalm reminds us of thirsty Israelites in Exodus 17 when God turned “the rock” into “a pool of water” (114:8).
- “The mountains skipped like rams” (114:4) is probably a reference to God descending on Mount Sinai in Exodus 19.
- “Jordan turned back” (114:3) reminds us of Joshua 3, when all Israel passed through the dry bed of the Jordan River.
Psalm 114 is short, but it delivers a punchy point worth thinking about today. What made the sea flee? What makes mountains skip like rams? The presence of the Lord.
Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the God of Jacob,
who turns the rock into a pool of water,
the flint into a spring of water. (114:7)
We’re not expecting the Ohio River to part today or the closest mountain to quake and become wrapped in fire, but we are coming into the presence of the Almighty. As Psalm 95 invites…
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
What an awesome idea. We are singing, praying, remembering, celebrating, and listening in his presence.
Happy Lord’s day.