Psalms 114:3

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

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

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

The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back;

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

Commentary

Context

Psalm 114 is a vivid hymn of praise, celebrating God's mighty acts of deliverance for the nation of Israel. It specifically recalls the foundational events of the Exodus from Egypt and the subsequent entry into the Promised Land. This verse, Psalm 114:3, serves as a powerful poetic summary of two of the most significant miracles in Israel's early history, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty over creation for the sake of His people.

Key Themes

  • God's Omnipotence Over Nature: The verse strikingly portrays the natural world—the sea and the Jordan River—as sentient beings reacting with awe and obedience to the presence of God. This highlights God's supreme power, where even the most formidable elements of nature yield to His command. The "sea" refers to the parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus, and "Jordan" to the parting of the Jordan River when Israel entered Canaan.
  • Divine Intervention for Israel: These events underscore God's active involvement in the history of Israel, proving His faithfulness to His covenant promises. He cleared the way for His people, first from bondage and then into their inheritance.
  • Miraculous Deliverance: The "fleeing" sea and the "driven back" Jordan are iconic symbols of God's miraculous provision and protection. They are not mere coincidences but direct, supernatural acts of divine power, emphasizing God's ability to overcome any obstacle.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verbs used, rā’â (saw) and nûs (fled) for the sea, and sābaḇ (driven back) for the Jordan, convey a sense of immediate, almost personified reaction to God's presence. The poetic language attributes a perceptive quality to the natural elements, emphasizing that their obedience was a direct response to divine authority, not just a physical phenomenon.

Significance and Application

Psalm 114:3 reminds believers of God's unchanging character and His ability to overcome any obstacle. The "sea" and "Jordan" can symbolize overwhelming challenges in our lives that seem impassable. Just as God cleared the way for Israel, He is able to make a way where there seems to be none for those who trust in Him. This verse encourages faith and trust in God's power, knowing that His divine intervention is not limited to ancient history but is available to His people today. It reassures us that no barrier is too great for the God who commanded the very waters to part.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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?