Psalms 114:8

KJV

Which turned the rock [into] a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

KJV (with Strong's)

Which turned {H2015} the rock {H6697} into a standing {H98} water {H4325}, the flint {H2496} into a fountain {H4599} of waters {H4325}.

Complete Jewish Bible

who turned the rock into a pool of water, flint into flowing spring.

Berean Standard Bible

who turned the rock into a pool, the flint into a fountain of water!

American Standard Version

Who turned the rock into a pool of water, The flint into a fountain of waters.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 114:8 serves as the powerful culmination of a dramatic hymn celebrating God's awe-inspiring deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage and their miraculous journey through the wilderness. This verse highlights the Creator's absolute sovereignty over nature, specifically His ability to transform the hardest elements—rock and flint—into life-sustaining water, underscoring His boundless power and unwavering faithfulness to provide for His people in the most desolate and seemingly impossible circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 114 is a concise and highly dramatic hymn of praise, forming part of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118), traditionally recited during Passover and other major Jewish festivals. It vividly recounts the Exodus, portraying creation itself reacting with trembling and awe at the presence of the Lord. The psalm opens by establishing the context of Israel's departure from Egypt and Judah becoming God's sanctuary and dominion. Verses 3-6 personify the natural world—the sea, the Jordan River, and the mountains—as fleeing or leaping in response to God's presence, culminating in the rhetorical question of verse 7, "Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob!" The preceding verse, [Psalm 114:7](/psalms/114-7 "Psalm 114:7 - Call to Tremble Before the Lord"), sets the stage for the climactic demonstration of divine power. Verse 8 serves as the ultimate answer to this call, providing the most profound demonstration of God's power over creation by recalling the miraculous provision of water from rock, a final, undeniable testament to His omnipotence and care for His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalm 114:8 is the Israelites' forty-year wilderness wandering after their exodus from Egypt. This period was characterized by extreme hardship, including a severe lack of water in the arid desert environment. Water was not merely a convenience but a matter of life and death, making its miraculous provision a profound demonstration of divine intervention. The specific events alluded to are the striking of the rock at Horeb (Rephidim), as recorded in [Exodus 17:1-7](/exodus/17-1-7 "Exodus 17:1-7 - Water from the Rock at Rephidim"), and a similar event at Meribah in [Numbers 20:2-13](/numbers/20-2-13 "Numbers 20:2-13 - Water from the Rock at Meribah"). These miracles were not isolated incidents but recurring proofs of God's covenant faithfulness to His thirsty people, sustaining them in a land utterly incapable of supporting such a large population naturally. The cultural significance lies in the understanding that only a deity of immense power could command the very elements to yield life-giving resources from barren stone, solidifying Yahweh's unique status among the nations and demonstrating His unparalleled might.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 114:8 encapsulates several profound themes central to the book of Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Divine Omnipotence**, showcasing God's absolute authority and control over all creation, even the most unyielding substances. The transformation of rock into water demonstrates that nothing is impossible for the Lord, reinforcing the theme of God's unparalleled power found throughout the [Exodus narrative](/exodus/1 "Exodus - The Book of Deliverance"). Secondly, it highlights **Miraculous Provision**, recalling God's consistent and supernatural care for His people in the wilderness, providing for their most fundamental needs (water, manna, quails). This theme is vital for understanding God's character as a faithful provider, as seen in passages like [Psalm 78:15-16](/psalms/78-15-16 "Psalm 78:15-16 - God's Provision in the Wilderness"). Thirdly, the verse speaks to **God's Faithfulness and Covenant Loyalty**. Despite Israel's grumbling and rebellion, God remained steadfast in His commitment to sustain them, proving His unwavering love and adherence to His promises. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Nature's Obedience to God**, echoing the earlier verses of [Psalm 114](/psalms/114 "Psalm 114 - God's Power in the Exodus"), where the sea and mountains respond to God's presence. The very rocks yield to His command, illustrating that all creation bows to His sovereign will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **turned (Hebrew, _hâphak'_):** From a primitive root, this verb signifies to turn about or over, implying a radical change or transformation. In the context of Psalm 114:8, it emphasizes God's active and decisive intervention, demonstrating His power to fundamentally alter the nature of things. It's not a gentle persuasion but a powerful, authoritative act that reverses the natural order, bringing forth life from what is inherently barren.
* **rock (Hebrew, _tsûwr'_):** This term refers to a cliff or a large, firm rock or boulder. It is often used metaphorically in Scripture to denote strength, refuge, or even God Himself as a steadfast foundation. Here, it highlights the extreme hardness and unyielding nature of the material, making its transformation into water an even greater miracle. It underscores the stark contrast between human limitation and divine omnipotence, as only God can command such an unyielding substance to yield.
* **flint (Hebrew, _challâmîysh'_):** Probably derived from a root suggesting hardness, "flint" refers to an even harder, more unyielding type of stone than "rock," often used for striking sparks. Its inclusion in parallel with "rock" intensifies the miraculous nature of the event, emphasizing that even the most impenetrable and lifeless material can be transformed by God's command into a source of life. The parallelism reinforces the extraordinary and comprehensive nature of God's provision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which turned the rock [into] a standing water":** This clause directly references the miraculous event at Rephidim (Exodus 17) where God instructed Moses to strike the rock, and water flowed out. The divine agent ("Which turned") is implicitly the "God of Jacob" from the preceding verse, whose awesome presence causes the earth to tremble and the rocks to yield. "Standing water" (מַיִם, _mayim_) here implies a collected pool or a steady, accessible source, not merely a fleeting trickle. It signifies a substantial and sustained provision, sufficient for the needs of the entire Israelite congregation and their livestock in the parched wilderness.
* **"the flint into a fountain of waters":** This parallel clause reinforces the first, possibly alluding to the second instance of water from the rock at Meribah (Numbers 20) or simply intensifying the imagery of the first miracle. "Flint" emphasizes the extreme hardness and barrenness of the source, while "fountain of waters" (מַעְיָן מַיִם, _ma'yan mayim_) suggests a gushing, abundant, and continuous flow. The use of two distinct terms for hard stone and two distinct phrases for water underscores the comprehensive and lavish nature of God's provision, demonstrating His ability to bring forth life from the most unlikely and barren sources, ensuring complete satisfaction for His people.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 114:8, like the entire psalm, is rich in poetic artistry. A prominent device is **Personification**, where the "rock" and "flint" are implicitly portrayed as responding to God's command, yielding their essence as if they possess agency. This continues the psalm's earlier personification of the sea, Jordan, and mountains. The description of turning solid rock into flowing water employs **Hyperbole** to magnify God's power; while literally true in the biblical account, the poetic language emphasizes the extraordinary, almost unbelievable nature of the event, pushing beyond mere factual reporting to evoke awe. There is a powerful **Contrast** at play, juxtaposing the extreme hardness, barrenness, and lifelessness of "rock" and "flint" with the life-giving, flowing abundance of "standing water" and a "fountain of waters." This vivid imagery creates a striking picture of divine transformation and omnipotence. The use of **Parallelism** ("the rock...standing water" and "the flint...fountain of waters") is also evident, characteristic of Hebrew poetry, where the second line reinforces or expands upon the first, adding emphasis and depth to the miraculous act and highlighting the comprehensive nature of God's power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 114:8 serves as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty, particularly His power over creation and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. It is a testament to the fact that God is not limited by natural laws or human impossibilities; He can transform the most desolate and unyielding circumstances into sources of life and provision. This verse reminds us that the God who delivered Israel from Egypt and sustained them in the wilderness is the same God who remains active in the world, capable of providing for His people in every need. It underscores the theme of divine care and the miraculous nature of God's intervention in human history, offering a powerful assurance of His ever-present help and boundless resources for those who trust in Him.

* [Exodus 17:6](/exodus/17-6 "Exodus 17:6 - Water from the Rock at Horeb")
* [Numbers 20:11](/numbers/20-11 "Numbers 20:11 - Water from the Rock at Meribah")
* [Psalm 78:15-16](/psalms/78-15-16 "Psalm 78:15-16 - God's Provision of Water in the Wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 114:8 offers a timeless message of hope and radical trust for believers today. In a world often characterized by scarcity, hardship, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, this verse assures us that our God is a God of limitless power and boundless provision. When we face "rock-like" situations—circumstances that appear hard, unyielding, and devoid of hope or solution—this psalm calls us to remember the God who turned flint into a fountain. It encourages us to cultivate a radical trust in His ability to provide, to transform, and to sustain, even when our own resources and strength are utterly depleted. This verse is a powerful reminder that God's faithfulness is not contingent on our circumstances but on His unchanging character. It invites us to look beyond the immediate barrenness and anticipate the miraculous outpouring of His grace, comfort, and provision in our lives, knowing that the same God who cared for ancient Israel continues to care for His people today, bringing life and abundance even from the most unexpected and seemingly impossible sources.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "rock-like" or "flint-like" situations in your life currently feel impenetrable or barren, and how does this verse speak to them?**
* **How does remembering God's past miraculous provision (both in Scripture and in your own life) strengthen your faith for present and future challenges?**
* **In what ways can you actively trust God to bring forth "fountains of waters" from unexpected places in your life, even when the path forward seems unclear?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "standing water" versus "fountain of waters" in this verse?**

Answer: The distinction between "standing water" (מַיִם, _mayim_) and "fountain of waters" (מַעְיָן מַיִם, _ma'yan mayim_) in Psalms 114:8 is primarily a poetic parallelism, but it also subtly enhances the imagery of God's abundant provision. "Standing water" suggests a pool or reservoir, implying a stable and accessible source of water that can be drawn from. This might allude to the initial gushing of water that then collected into a usable body. "Fountain of waters," on the other hand, evokes a gushing, continuous, and fresh spring, signifying an unending supply. Together, these phrases emphasize the comprehensive nature of God's miracle: not just a temporary trickle, but a sustained, abundant, and life-giving flow that met the needs of a vast multitude in the wilderness. It underscores that God's provision is both stable and dynamically overflowing, sufficient for all needs. The use of two distinct terms for water, mirroring the two terms for hard stone ("rock" and "flint"), serves to intensify the miraculous transformation and the lavishness of God's grace, demonstrating His complete mastery over creation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 114:8, with its vivid imagery of water gushing from the rock, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul explicitly identifies this wilderness rock with Christ, stating in [1 Corinthians 10:4](/1_corinthians/10-4 "1 Corinthians 10:4 - Christ, the Spiritual Rock") that the Israelites "drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ." This theological connection transforms the ancient miracle from a mere historical event into a powerful type and shadow of the living water that Christ provides. Just as the physical rock provided life-sustaining water in the barren desert, Jesus Christ, the ultimate "Rock of Salvation" ([Psalm 62:7](/psalms/62-7 "Psalm 62:7 - God, My Rock of Salvation")), offers spiritual life and refreshment to a thirsty world. He declared, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink" ([John 7:37](/john/7-37 "John 7:37 - Jesus' Invitation to Drink Living Water")), promising that "Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again" ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus, the Living Water")). Thus, the turning of rock into water in Psalm 114:8 prefigures Christ's ultimate provision of the Holy Spirit and eternal life, satisfying the deepest spiritual thirst of humanity and demonstrating God's ultimate power to bring forth life from the most unexpected and seemingly barren source—the crucified and resurrected Savior, who poured out His Spirit for all who believe.

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 107:35

He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.

Numbers 20:11

And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts [also].

Deuteronomy 8:15

Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, [wherein were] fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where [there was] no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;

Exodus 17:6

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Psalms 105:41

He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places [like] a river.

Psalms 78:15

He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave [them] drink as [out of] the great depths.

Psalms 78:16

He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.