


Psalms 114:1
Bible Versions
¶ When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;
When Isra'el came out of Egypt, the house of Ya'akov from a people of foreign speech,
When Israel departed from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue,
When Israel went forth out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people of strange language;
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Exodus 13:3
And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this [place]: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. -
Genesis 42:23
And they knew not that Joseph understood [them]; for he spake unto them by an interpreter. -
Psalms 81:5
This he ordained in Joseph [for] a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: [where] I heard a language [that] I understood not. -
Exodus 12:41
And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. -
Exodus 12:42
It [is] a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this [is] that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations. -
Deuteronomy 16:1
¶ Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night. -
Isaiah 11:16
And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.
Psalm 114 is a powerful hymn celebrating God's miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage, a foundational event in their national history. This psalm is part of the Hallel psalms (Psalms 113-118), traditionally sung during major Jewish festivals, particularly Passover, to commemorate the Exodus.
Context of Psalms 114:1
Verse 1 immediately sets the scene by recalling the pivotal moment: "When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language." This opening line encapsulates the miraculous liberation of God's chosen people from centuries of slavery and oppression. The phrase "house of Jacob" emphasizes their identity as direct descendants of the patriarch Jacob (also called Israel), highlighting their covenantal lineage.
The "people of strange language" refers to the Egyptians, whose distinct culture, religion, and speech created a stark barrier between them and the Israelites. This linguistic and cultural separation underscores the alien and oppressive environment from which God delivered His people. The verse serves as a concise summary of the grand historical narrative detailed in the book of Exodus, setting the stage for the dramatic display of God's power described in the subsequent verses of Psalm 114.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew phrase for "strange language" is 'am lo'ez (עם לועז), which literally means "stammering people" or "people of a barbarous tongue." This emphasizes the foreignness and unintelligibility of the Egyptian language to the Israelites, highlighting the complete cultural and spiritual divide. It underscores the idea that God's people were truly in a foreign land, under foreign rule, and needed a divine hand to lead them out.
Related Scriptures
This verse directly recalls the foundational narrative of the Exodus, which is extensively covered in the Old Testament. For a deeper understanding of the historical event, see Exodus 12:51, which describes Israel's departure from Egypt "by their armies." The concept of God's deliverance from a foreign land and people is also echoed in Deuteronomy 6:21, where Moses instructs Israel to remember their past servitude and God's powerful rescue.
Practical Application
Psalms 114:1 serves as a powerful reminder of God's enduring faithfulness and His ability to deliver His people from any form of bondage. For believers today, it encourages us to: