Psalms 114

This Psalm is a solemn commemoration of Israels deliverance out of Egypt; and probably it was to be sung, amongst others, at the celebration of the Passover.

WHen Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language Which was a great aggravation of their captivity and misery. Compare Ier. 5. 15.;

Judah Or, Israel, as it is explained in the next clause; one Tribe being put for all; which is a common Synecdoche. Iudah he mentions as the chief of all the Tribes, not only in number and power, but also in dignity, in which the Kingdom was to be seated, Gen. 49. 10, &c. as at this time it actually was, and from which the Messias was to spring. was his i. e. Gods, which is easily understood from the whole context, and from the nature of the thing. sanctuary Or, holiness, the people of Gods holiness, as they are called Isa. 63. 18. or, his holy people, as Deut. 26. 29. Dan. 8. 24. sanctified or set apart from all the Nations of the World to be his peculiar people and possession., and Israel his dominion In a peculiar manner to be governed by his Laws, and honoured with his special presence and favour..

The sea saw it To wit, this glorious work of God in bringing his people out of Egypt., and fled, Jordan was driven back.

The mountains H... rth and Sinai, two tops of one mountain, and other neighbouring hills or mountains. Compare Exod. 19. 18. Psal. 68. 9. Habak. 3. 6, 10. skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.

What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest What was the cause of this unusual motion? Such speeches directed to senceless creatures, are very frequent both in Scripture and in other Authors, and especially in Poetical writings, such as this is.? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?

Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills like lambs?

Tremble thou earth at the presence of the LORD But why do I ask these questions? Ye mountains did no more than what was just and fit at the approach and appearance of the great God: yea the whole earth has reason to tremble and quake upon such occasions., at the presence of the God of Jacob.

Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.