Psalms 114:3

KJV

The sea saw [it], and fled: Jordan was driven back.

KJV (with Strong's)

The sea {H3220} saw {H7200} it, and fled {H5127}: Jordan {H3383} was driven {H5437} back {H268}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The sea saw this and fled; the Yarden turned back;

Berean Standard Bible

The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back;

American Standard Version

The sea saw it, and fled; The Jordan was driven back.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 114:3 is a powerful poetic declaration of God's absolute sovereignty over creation, vividly recalling two pivotal moments in Israel's history: the miraculous parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus from Egypt and the subsequent division of the Jordan River, which allowed Israel to enter the Promised Land. The verse employs striking personification, depicting the natural elements as sentient beings reacting with awe and obedience to the divine presence, thereby underscoring God's omnipotence and His unwavering commitment to delivering His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 114 is a quintessential Hallel Psalm, a collection (Psalms 113-118) traditionally sung during Passover and other major Jewish festivals. It stands out for its dramatic, almost theatrical, portrayal of God's intervention in history. The psalm begins by setting the scene with Israel's departure from Egypt ([Psalms 114:1](/psalms/114-1 "Psalms 114:1 - Israel's Exodus")), immediately establishing the theme of divine deliverance. Verse 3, "The sea saw [it], and fled: Jordan was driven back," directly follows the declaration that Judah became God's sanctuary and Israel His dominion ([Psalms 114:2](/psalms/114-2 "Psalms 114:2 - Judah and Israel as God's Sanctuary")). The "it" that the sea saw is implicitly the majestic and terrifying presence of the God of Israel, whose holiness and power are so immense that even inanimate creation responds with fear and submission. This verse serves as the poetic climax of God's initial acts of liberation, setting the stage for the psalm's rhetorical question to the earth in [Psalms 114:5](/psalms/114-5 "Psalms 114:5 - What Ails You, Sea?") and its ultimate answer in [Psalms 114:7](/psalms/114-7 "Psalms 114:7 - Tremble at the Presence of the Lord").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The verse directly references two of the most foundational and miraculous events in Israelite history: the parting of the Red Sea (or Sea of Reeds) during the Exodus from Egyptian bondage (c. 1446 BC) and the parting of the Jordan River as Israel entered Canaan under Joshua (c. 1406 BC). The Red Sea event, detailed in [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - Crossing the Red Sea"), marked Israel's definitive liberation and the establishment of their identity as a people set apart by God. The Jordan crossing, recounted in [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan River"), signified the fulfillment of God's promise to bring His people into the land flowing with milk and honey. These events were not merely historical occurrences but were deeply embedded in Israel's collective memory, liturgy, and national identity. They served as perpetual reminders of God's covenant faithfulness, His unique relationship with Israel, and His absolute power over all natural forces, reinforcing their understanding of Yahweh as the one true God, distinct from the impotent deities of surrounding nations.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core theological themes. Firstly, it highlights **God's Omnipotence Over Nature**, portraying the natural world—the formidable sea and the impassable Jordan River—as sentient beings reacting with awe and immediate obedience to the presence of God. This underscores His supreme power, where even the most chaotic and overwhelming elements of nature yield to His command, as seen in the accounts of the [parting of the Red Sea](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - The Parting of the Red Sea") and the [Jordan River](/joshua/3-16 "Joshua 3:16 - The Jordan River Parts"). Secondly, it emphasizes **Divine Intervention for Israel**, showcasing God's active, direct, and miraculous involvement in the history of His chosen people. These acts prove His faithfulness to His covenant promises, clearing the way for Israel first from bondage and then into their promised inheritance. Lastly, the verse embodies the theme of **Miraculous Deliverance**, presenting the "fleeing" sea and the "driven back" Jordan as iconic symbols of God's supernatural provision and protection. They are not coincidences but direct, powerful acts of divine power, emphasizing God's ability to overcome any obstacle for the sake of His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Saw (Hebrew, _rā’â_):** This verb implies not merely physical sight but a profound recognition or perception. When applied to the sea, it personifies the natural element, suggesting it perceived the divine presence or power in a way that compelled an immediate, involuntary response. It conveys the idea that God's presence is so overwhelming that even inanimate objects are forced to acknowledge and react to it.
* **Fled (Hebrew, _nûs_):** This verb denotes a hasty retreat, often out of fear or compulsion. The sea's "flight" is a vivid image of its waters being pushed back and standing aside, not by natural forces, but by an irresistible, terrifying divine command. It emphasizes the absolute and immediate obedience of creation to its Creator.
* **Driven back (Hebrew, _sābaḇ_):** This verb means to turn back, surround, or go around. In this context, it signifies a complete reversal or turning away of the Jordan River's flow. It highlights the unnatural and supernatural nature of the event, where the river's normal course was forcefully and entirely altered, making a path where none existed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The sea saw [it], and fled:"** This clause poetically describes the miraculous parting of the Red Sea. The "it" refers to the majestic and terrifying presence of God, whose power compelled the vast waters to recoil in awe and submission. The sea is personified as a sentient being that perceives God's approach and responds by fleeing, creating a dry path for Israel. This imagery emphasizes God's absolute dominion over the most formidable elements of nature.
* **"Jordan was driven back."** This clause refers to the miraculous stopping and piling up of the Jordan River's waters, allowing Israel to cross into the Promised Land on dry ground. The phrase "driven back" conveys a forceful, supernatural reversal of the river's natural flow, highlighting that this was not a natural phenomenon but a direct, powerful act of divine intervention, clearing the final physical barrier to Israel's inheritance.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 114:3 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological message. The most prominent is **Personification**, where the sea and the Jordan River are attributed human-like qualities of perception ("saw") and action ("fled," "driven back"). This device vividly portrays creation as a conscious entity responding directly to God's presence, emphasizing His overwhelming power and authority over all things. The verse also employs **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the two clauses express similar ideas of nature's submission to God's power, reinforcing the central theme through repetition and variation. "The sea saw [it], and fled" and "Jordan was driven back" both describe water bodies reacting miraculously to divine command. Furthermore, there is an element of **Hyperbole** in the dramatic portrayal of nature's reaction, which serves to magnify God's omnipotence and the extraordinary nature of His interventions, making the events seem even more awe-inspiring and absolute.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 114:3 serves as a profound theological statement about God's sovereign power and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. It demonstrates that the Creator is not distant or detached but actively intervenes in history, bending the very laws of nature to accomplish His purposes. This verse underscores the theme of God as the ultimate Deliverer, who clears impossible paths and overcomes insurmountable obstacles for those He has chosen. It reminds us that His power is not limited by the vastness of the sea or the flow of a mighty river, but extends to every challenge and barrier, whether physical or spiritual. The events recalled here are foundational to Israel's understanding of God's character as both mighty and faithful, establishing a pattern of divine intervention that would continue throughout their history and find its ultimate fulfillment.

* [Exodus 15:8](/exodus/15-8 "Exodus 15:8 - Waters Stood Up Like a Heap")
* [Joshua 3:13](/joshua/3-13 "Joshua 3:13 - Waters of Jordan Cut Off")
* [Isaiah 43:16](/isaiah/43-16 "Isaiah 43:16 - God Making a Way Through the Sea")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The dramatic imagery of the sea fleeing and the Jordan being driven back in Psalms 114:3 offers profound encouragement for contemporary believers. Just as God cleared literal, physical obstacles for Israel, this verse assures us that no "sea" of difficulty or "Jordan" of challenge in our lives is too great for His power. Whether facing overwhelming anxiety, seemingly insurmountable financial burdens, relational strife, or spiritual stagnation, this psalm reminds us that our God is the same God who commanded the waters. He is able to make a way where there seems to be no way, to part the impossible, and to lead us through to our promised land of peace, provision, and purpose. Our faith is not in our ability to navigate the obstacles, but in His unchanging character and limitless power to intervene on our behalf. It calls us to trust that the God who acted so powerfully in ancient history remains active and mighty today, ready to demonstrate His deliverance for those who place their hope in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "seas" or "Jordans" in your life currently feel impassable, and how does this verse encourage you to trust God with them?**
* **How does the personification of nature in this psalm deepen your understanding of God's absolute sovereignty over all creation?**
* **In what ways can recalling God's past acts of deliverance strengthen your faith for present and future challenges?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the sea and Jordan being "driven back" in this verse?**

Answer: The "sea" and "Jordan" in Psalms 114:3 refer to two distinct, miraculous events in Israel's history: the parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus from Egypt ([Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - Crossing the Red Sea")) and the parting of the Jordan River when Israel entered the Promised Land ([Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan River")). Their being "driven back" signifies God's absolute and supernatural control over nature. It's not a natural phenomenon but a direct divine intervention, showcasing God's power to manipulate creation for the sake of His covenant people. This emphasizes His role as the ultimate Deliverer, removing insurmountable obstacles to fulfill His promises.

**Why does the psalm use such dramatic, personified language for natural elements?**

Answer: The use of personification, where the sea "saw" and "fled" and the Jordan was "driven back," is a powerful poetic device intended to magnify God's majesty and power. By attributing sentient qualities to inanimate objects, the psalmist emphasizes that creation itself recognizes and trembles before the presence of the Creator. It conveys a sense of awe and immediate, involuntary submission to divine authority. This dramatic language elevates the miraculous nature of these historical events, making it clear that these were not mere coincidences but direct, overwhelming demonstrations of God's omnipotence, designed to instill both fear and worship in the hearts of His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 114:3, with its vivid depiction of God's power over creation for the deliverance of His people, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The God who commanded the sea to flee and the Jordan to be driven back is the same God incarnate in Jesus. Just as the waters yielded to Yahweh's presence, so too did the stormy seas obey the voice of Christ, as seen when [He rebuked the wind and the waves, and there was a great calm](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm"). This demonstrates His inherent divine authority over creation, proving Him to be the Lord of all. Furthermore, Jesus Himself is the "new Exodus" leader, not merely leading His people out of physical bondage, but out of the spiritual slavery of sin and death. His crucifixion and resurrection represent the ultimate "parting of the waters," clearing the way for humanity to enter into a new, eternal inheritance. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the one through whom all barriers between God and humanity are overcome, making a way for us to cross from death to life, from darkness to light, into the true Promised Land of God's eternal presence.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 77:16

The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.

Exodus 14:21

¶ And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go [back] by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry [land], and the waters were divided.

Joshua 3:13

And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, [that] the waters of Jordan shall be cut off [from] the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.

Joshua 3:16

That the waters which came down from above stood [and] rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that [is] beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea, failed, [and] were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.

Habakkuk 3:15

Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, [through] the heap of great waters.

Psalms 104:7

At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.

Habakkuk 3:8

Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? [was] thine anger against the rivers? [was] thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses [and] thy chariots of salvation?