Psalms 114:5

KJV

What [ailed] thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, [that] thou wast driven back?

KJV (with Strong's)

What ailed thee, O thou sea {H3220}, that thou fleddest {H5127}? thou Jordan {H3383}, that thou wast driven {H5437} back {H268}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Why is it, sea, that you flee? Why, Yarden, do you turn back?

Berean Standard Bible

Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back,

American Standard Version

What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleest? Thou Jordan, that thou turnest back?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 114:5 presents a profound rhetorical interrogation of the Red Sea and the Jordan River, demanding an explanation for their miraculous retreat and reversal. This verse functions as a powerful poetic declaration, testifying to the overwhelming, active presence and absolute sovereignty of God, whose mere approach compelled these formidable natural elements to obey His will. It serves to commemorate God's mighty acts of deliverance during the Exodus from Egypt and Israel's subsequent entry into the Promised Land, inviting the worshiper to reflect with profound awe and wonder on the unparalleled power of the Creator who commands all creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 114 is a magnificent hymn of praise, forming a pivotal part of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118), which is traditionally recited during major Jewish festivals such as Passover, Pentecost, and Sukkot. This psalm is renowned for its dramatic and vivid recounting of God's miraculous interventions in Israel's early history, specifically the Exodus and the crossing of the Jordan. It employs striking **personification** and **rhetorical questions**, addressing inanimate elements of creation as if they were sentient beings responding to God's majestic presence. The psalm builds a compelling narrative, beginning with Israel's initial departure from Egypt in [Psalm 114:1](/psalms/114-1 "Psalm 114:1 - Israel's Departure from Egypt") and culminating in the trembling of the earth before God in [Psalm 114:7](/psalms/114-7 "Psalm 114:7 - Earth Trembles Before God"). Within this grand narrative, verse 5 serves as a central, climactic moment, posing a direct inquiry into nature's astonishing submission to divine power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The verse directly references two of the most foundational and formative events in Israel's national history: the miraculous parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus from Egyptian bondage (powerfully recorded in [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - Crossing the Red Sea")) and the supernatural stopping of the Jordan River, which allowed Israel to cross into the Promised Land (meticulously detailed in [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan River")). These were not merely historical occurrences but served as irrefutable, public proofs of Yahweh's unique power, His unwavering covenant faithfulness, and His identity as the one true God who delivers His people. In a cultural landscape where surrounding nations worshipped various nature deities and gods associated with specific rivers or seas, the psalmist's depiction of the sea and river fleeing before the Lord unequivocally asserted the absolute supremacy of Israel's God over all creation and all rival gods, demonstrating His unparalleled authority.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 114:5 powerfully articulates several crucial theological themes. Firstly, it profoundly underscores **God's Sovereignty Over Creation**, portraying the natural world as immediately and instinctively responsive to its Creator's presence, rather than operating by impersonal or random laws. The rhetorical questions emphasize that no natural explanation suffices for such extraordinary phenomena; only divine command could compel such a response. Secondly, it highlights **Divine Intervention and Deliverance**, showcasing God's active, personal, and miraculous involvement in the salvation history of His people. These acts were not random but purposeful interventions designed to fulfill His covenant promises, delivering Israel from oppression and leading them into their divinely appointed inheritance. Lastly, the verse cultivates a profound sense of **Awe and Wonder** in the worshiper, inviting contemplation of the sheer magnitude of God's power and inspiring worship rooted in holy fear and reverence for the Lord, who effortlessly commands even the mightiest elements of His creation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sea (Hebrew, _yâm'_):** (H3220) This word refers to a large body of water, often with the connotation of noisy surf or a roaring sound. In this context, it specifically refers to the Red Sea, a vast and formidable natural barrier. The psalmist's addressing of the "sea" as a conscious entity that "fled" emphasizes the extraordinary nature of its retreat, implying that even the most immense and powerful natural forces are utterly subservient to the divine will, responding with instinctive terror to God's presence.
* **Fleddest (Hebrew, _nûwç'_):** (H5127) This primitive root signifies "to flee," "to escape," or "to vanish away." Its application to the sea vividly portrays a rapid, panicked, and involuntary withdrawal, as if the water itself was in terror. This verb highlights the immediate and overwhelming nature of the divine presence that caused the sea to recoil, underscoring the absolute authority God possesses over the elements, compelling them to abandon their natural course.
* **Driven Back (Hebrew, _çâbab'_ / _ʼâchôwr'_):** (H5437 / H268) The verb _çâbab_ (H5437) means "to revolve," "to surround," or "to turn." When combined with _ʼâchôwr_ (H268), meaning "the hinder part" or "backward," it powerfully describes the Jordan River's unnatural reversal. The imagery is not merely of stopping, but of the waters being actively "turned back" or "driven backward" upstream, piling up. This emphasizes the forceful, supernatural intervention of God, who not only halted the river's flow but caused it to defy its natural current, demonstrating His complete and active mastery over creation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"What [ailed] thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest?":** This rhetorical question, addressed directly to the personified Red Sea, probes the reason for its unprecedented and unnatural retreat. It implies that the sea's flight was not a natural phenomenon but an extraordinary, compelled action, almost as if it were "sick" with fear or unable to withstand a superior force. The question anticipates the only logical answer: the overwhelming presence of the Almighty God, whose power alone could cause such a massive body of water to part and flee. This refers specifically to the miracle recorded in [Exodus 14:21](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - Moses Stretches Out His Hand Over the Sea").
* **"thou Jordan, [that] thou wast driven back?":** Parallel to the first clause, this question challenges the Jordan River to explain its unnatural reversal. The imagery of the river being "driven back" speaks to the force and immediacy of God's command, which caused the waters to pile up and cease their flow, creating a dry passage. This directly alludes to the miracle at the threshold of the Promised Land, as recounted in [Joshua 3:16](/joshua/3-16 "Joshua 3:16 - Jordan River Stops"). Both questions serve to magnify God's power by showing that even the most powerful and consistent natural forces are utterly subservient to His will and tremble before His presence.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 114:5 masterfully employs several **Literary Devices** to enhance its theological impact and dramatic effect. Foremost is **Personification**, where the sea and the Jordan River are addressed as if they are conscious, sentient beings capable of fear, flight, and understanding. This device dramatically emphasizes the overwhelming power of God, as even inanimate creation responds with awe and immediate obedience to His presence. The use of **Rhetorical Question** ("What ailed thee...?") is central; these questions are not posed for answers from the sea or river, but to highlight that the *only* conceivable and sufficient answer is the divine presence and irresistible power of Yahweh. This technique compels the worshiper to acknowledge God's absolute sovereignty and the miraculous nature of the events. Furthermore, **Parallelism** is evident in the symmetrical structure of the two clauses, juxtaposing the Red Sea's flight with the Jordan's reversal. This reinforces the consistent and comprehensive nature of God's dominion over water, demonstrating His power across different historical moments and geographical locations. Finally, the vivid imagery of fleeing and being driven back could be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, exaggerating nature's response to underscore the immense, terrifying, and irresistible power of God that commands such phenomena.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 114:5 stands as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty, particularly over the forces of nature, which He both created and sustains. It asserts that the Creator is not merely distinct from creation but actively intervenes within it, bending its will to His purposes. This divine control over the most formidable elements—the vast sea and a mighty river—demonstrates that no obstacle is too great for the God who delivers His people. The verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, as these miracles were pivotal in establishing Israel as His chosen nation and bringing them into their promised inheritance. It invites a theology of awe, where the worshiper is confronted with the incomprehensible majesty and power of God, leading to humble reverence and worship that acknowledges His unparalleled might.

* [Exodus 14:21](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - Moses Stretches Out His Hand Over the Sea")
* [Joshua 3:16](/joshua/3-16 "Joshua 3:16 - Waters of the Jordan Stood Up in a Heap")
* [Psalm 77:16](/psalms/77-16 "Psalm 77:16 - The Waters Saw You, O God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The rhetorical questions of Psalm 114:5 invite us to confront the reality of God's awe-inspiring power and His active, personal involvement in the world. Just as the Red Sea and the Jordan River could not withstand His majestic presence, so too are all the "seas" and "Jordans" in our lives—the seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the overwhelming challenges, the periods of fear and uncertainty, the deeply entrenched habits or systemic injustices—subject to His sovereign command. This psalm encourages us to remember God's past faithfulness, both in the grand sweep of biblical history and in the intimate details of our personal testimonies, as a firm foundation for trusting Him with our present and future. It calls us to cultivate a deep sense of awe and reverence for the God who is truly mighty to save, reminding us that no situation is too chaotic, too entrenched, or too impossible for His divine intervention. When we face our own Red Seas or Jordan Rivers, this verse compels us to look beyond the immediate impossibility and fix our gaze on the God who effortlessly commands the elements.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's past miraculous interventions, like the parting of the Red Sea and the stopping of the Jordan, strengthen your faith in His power to act in your life today?**
* **What "seas" or "Jordans"—challenges, fears, or seemingly impossible situations—are you currently facing, and how does this psalm encourage you to trust God with them?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of awe and reverence for God's sovereignty over all creation in your daily life and worship?**

### FAQ

**Why does the psalmist ask rhetorical questions to the sea and Jordan?**

Answer: The psalmist employs rhetorical questions to the personified sea and Jordan to dramatically emphasize the unparalleled power and majesty of God. These questions are not posed to elicit an answer from the natural elements themselves, but to highlight that the *only* possible and logical explanation for their unnatural behavior—fleeing and being driven back—is the direct, overwhelming presence and command of the Almighty God. It underscores that even the most formidable forces of nature are utterly subservient to their Creator. This powerful literary device serves to magnify God's unique authority, compelling the reader to acknowledge His absolute sovereignty and inspiring a profound sense of awe, as seen in the broader narrative of [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - Crossing the Red Sea") and [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan River").

**What is the theological significance of the Red Sea and Jordan River in Israel's history?**

Answer: The Red Sea and Jordan River crossings are two of the most pivotal and theologically significant events in Israel's history, serving as foundational demonstrations of God's covenant faithfulness and redemptive power. The parting of the Red Sea (cf. [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - Crossing the Red Sea")) marked Israel's definitive liberation from Egyptian bondage, signifying their miraculous birth as a free nation under God's direct protection. It was an act of salvation that established Yahweh as the God who delivers His people from oppression. The stopping of the Jordan River (cf. [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan River")) represented the culmination of their wilderness journey and their triumphant entry into the Promised Land, fulfilling God's ancient promises to Abraham. Together, these events underscore God's unwavering commitment to His people, His ability to overcome any and every obstacle, and His role as the sovereign Lord who guides His people into their inheritance and fulfills His divine purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The awe-inspiring power of God displayed in Psalms 114:5, where the sea and Jordan flee before His presence, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The God who commanded the Red Sea to part is the very same God incarnate in Jesus, who demonstrated His divine authority over creation by calming a raging storm with a mere word, asking His disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")). Just as the waters retreated before Yahweh, so too did the forces of nature, sickness, demons, and even death submit to Jesus's sovereign command. His resurrection from the dead represents the ultimate "parting of the waters" of death and the grave, leading His people into a new and eternal inheritance, far greater than the earthly Promised Land. Jesus is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), performing a greater Exodus from the bondage of sin and death, and leading His church into the heavenly kingdom. The same power that caused the sea and Jordan to flee is the very power that raised Christ from the dead ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19-20 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's Incomparably Great Power for Us")) and empowers believers today, assuring us that He is sovereign over every "sea" and "Jordan"—every challenge and impossibility—in our lives, bringing us safely to our eternal home.

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

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?

Jeremiah 47:6

O thou sword of the LORD, how long [will it be] ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.

Jeremiah 47:7

How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.