God’s powerful past deliverances remind us that nothing stands in His way.
When the psalmist exclaims “What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?” (v.5), he is poetically personifying the waters involved in Israel’s journey from slavery to freedom. This verse looks back to the miraculous parting of the Red Sea in the Exodus event, when the sea itself seemed to retreat before God’s mighty power (Exodus 14:21-22). It also recalls Israel crossing the Jordan River on dry land under Joshua’s leadership (Joshua 3:14-17). By addressing these bodies of water as if they could respond, the psalmist emphasizes that nature itself bowed before the LORD, reinforcing His sovereignty over creation. For the ancient audience, these two water crossings were pivotal moments testifying to God’s faithfulness.
Geographically, the “sea” in this verse is likely referencing the Red Sea (or Sea of Reeds), located between Northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Israelites of the Exodus period (estimated around 1446 or 1250 BC, depending on different scholarly timelines) encountered this sea while escaping the Egyptians under Moses’s leadership. Likewise, the Jordan River flows from north to south through the land of Israel, connecting the Sea of Galilee (in the north) to the Dead Sea (in the south). In about the 15th to 13th century BC, under Joshua, the nation of Israel crossed this river to enter the Promised Land, illustrating again the miraculous hand of God in their history. These settings remind later generations that the LORD goes before His people in powerful ways, ultimately pointing to the fulfillment of God’s deliverance in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:2).
By asking “What ails you, O sea?” (v.5) and “O Jordan, that you turn back?” (v.5), the psalmist underscores that even the most formidable obstacles—seas and rivers—are under the command of the Creator. The questions are not for the waters to literally answer but to highlight the extraordinary nature of God’s acts. This rhetorical flourish calls worshipers to remember and trust God’s past interventions, encouraging a posture of reverence and awe. Looking ahead, believers can see how these events foreshadow the New Testament reality that God empowers His people to overcome insurmountable challenges (Matthew 19:26).
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Psalms 114:5 meaning
When the psalmist exclaims “What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?” (v.5), he is poetically personifying the waters involved in Israel’s journey from slavery to freedom. This verse looks back to the miraculous parting of the Red Sea in the Exodus event, when the sea itself seemed to retreat before God’s mighty power (Exodus 14:21-22). It also recalls Israel crossing the Jordan River on dry land under Joshua’s leadership (Joshua 3:14-17). By addressing these bodies of water as if they could respond, the psalmist emphasizes that nature itself bowed before the LORD, reinforcing His sovereignty over creation. For the ancient audience, these two water crossings were pivotal moments testifying to God’s faithfulness.
Geographically, the “sea” in this verse is likely referencing the Red Sea (or Sea of Reeds), located between Northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Israelites of the Exodus period (estimated around 1446 or 1250 BC, depending on different scholarly timelines) encountered this sea while escaping the Egyptians under Moses’s leadership. Likewise, the Jordan River flows from north to south through the land of Israel, connecting the Sea of Galilee (in the north) to the Dead Sea (in the south). In about the 15th to 13th century BC, under Joshua, the nation of Israel crossed this river to enter the Promised Land, illustrating again the miraculous hand of God in their history. These settings remind later generations that the LORD goes before His people in powerful ways, ultimately pointing to the fulfillment of God’s deliverance in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:2).
By asking “What ails you, O sea?” (v.5) and “O Jordan, that you turn back?” (v.5), the psalmist underscores that even the most formidable obstacles—seas and rivers—are under the command of the Creator. The questions are not for the waters to literally answer but to highlight the extraordinary nature of God’s acts. This rhetorical flourish calls worshipers to remember and trust God’s past interventions, encouraging a posture of reverence and awe. Looking ahead, believers can see how these events foreshadow the New Testament reality that God empowers His people to overcome insurmountable challenges (Matthew 19:26).