Ye mountains, [that] ye skipped like rams; [and] ye little hills, like lambs?
Ye mountains {H2022}, that ye skipped {H7540} like rams {H352}; and ye little hills {H1389}, like lambs {H1121}{H6629}?
Why, mountains, do you skip like rams; and you hills like young sheep?
O mountains, that you skipped like rams, O hills, like lambs?
Ye mountains, that ye skip like rams; Ye little hills, like lambs?
-
Psalms 29:6
He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. -
Psalms 114:4
The mountains skipped like rams, [and] the little hills like lambs.
Psalm 114:6 (KJV) continues the powerful poetic narrative of God's awe-inspiring intervention on behalf of Israel during the Exodus. This verse, presented as a rhetorical question, emphasizes the profound and unprecedented reaction of the natural world to the presence of the Almighty.
Context
Psalm 114 is a Hallel Psalm, traditionally sung during Passover, celebrating God's miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. The preceding verses vividly describe the parting of the Red Sea (Psalm 114:3) and the trembling of Mount Sinai during the giving of the Law (Psalm 114:4). Verse 6 re-asks the question posed in verse 5 ("What ailed thee, O thou sea... Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams...?") to heighten the dramatic effect and underscore the unparalleled nature of God's power, particularly His manifestation at Sinai.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word translated "skipped" is raqad (רָקַד), which means "to dance," "to leap," or "to skip." While it can imply joyful movement, in this context, when applied to mountains, it conveys a sense of violent trembling or convulsion in response to a powerful force. The comparison to "rams" (אֵילִים - 'eylim), known for their strength and vigorous leaping, and "lambs" (כְּבָשִׂים - kəvāsîm), symbolizing playful agility, creates a striking poetic contrast. It suggests that both the mighty and the seemingly insignificant parts of the landscape were moved by God's presence, highlighting the universal scope of His power, similar to how the voice of the Lord breaks the cedars in Psalm 29:5.
Practical Application
For believers today, Psalm 114:6 serves as a profound reminder of God's unchanging character and immense power. The same God who caused mountains to tremble and seas to part is active in the world and in our lives. This verse encourages us to: