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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 114:5 Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/114-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/19_Psa_114_005.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 114:5 - Tremble at the Presence of the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/114-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/114-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/114.htm">Chapter 114</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/114-4.htm" title="Psalm 114:4">◄</a> Psalm 114:5 <a href="/psalms/114-6.htm" title="Psalm 114:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/114.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/114.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Why was it, sea, that you fled? Why, Jordan, did you turn back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/114.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />What’s wrong, Red Sea, that made you hurry out of their way? What happened, Jordan River, that you turned away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/114.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/114.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/114.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />What <i>ailed</i> thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, <i>that</i> thou wast driven back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/114.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, <i>that</i> you turned back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/114.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />What ails you, sea, that you flee? Jordan, that you turn back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/114.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/114.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/114.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />What disturbs you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/114.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/114.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why was it, sea, that you fled? Jordan, that you turned back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/114.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why was it, sea, that you fled? Jordan, that you turned back? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/114.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleest? Thou Jordan, that thou turnest back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/114.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Ask the sea why it ran away or ask the Jordan why it flowed upstream. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/114.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleest? thou Jordan, that thou turnest back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/114.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Red Sea, why did you run away? Jordan River, what made you turn back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/114.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />What happened, Sea, to make you run away? And you, O Jordan, why did you stop flowing? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/114.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />What happened to you, sea, that you fled? Jordan, that you ran backwards?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/114.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/114.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Why do you flee, O sea? Why do you turn back, O Jordan River? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/114.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />What was it, you sea, that you fled? You Jordan, that you turned back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/114.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/114.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />What was it, you sea, that you fled? You Jordan, that you turned back? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/114.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />What is [ailing] you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, you turn back!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/114.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> What -- to thee, O sea, that thou fleest? O Jordan, thou turnest back!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/114.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />What to thee, O sea, that thou wilt flee? O Jordan, thou wilt turn away back?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/114.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou didst flee: and thou, O Jordan, that thou wast turned back? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/114.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 113:5>What happened to you, O sea, so that you fled, and to you, O Jordan, so that you were turned back again?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/114.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Why was it, sea, that you fled? Jordan, that you turned back? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/114.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Why is it, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/114.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />What ails you, O you sea, that you fled? You Jordan, that you were driven back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/114.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />What happened to you, oh Sea, that you have fled, and Jordan, that you turned your behind?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/114.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleest? Thou Jordan, that thou turnest backward?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/114.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />What <i>ailed</i> thee, O sea, that thou fleddest? and thou Jordan, that thou wast turned back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/114-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=14487" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/114.htm">Tremble at the Presence of the LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why was it,</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3220.htm" title="3220: hay·yām (Art:: N-ms) -- A sea or large body of water; specifically, the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river.">O sea,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/5127.htm" title="5127: ṯā·nūs (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">you fled,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3383.htm" title="3383: hay·yar·dên (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- The principal river of Pal. From yarad; a descender; Jarden, the principal river of Palestine.">O Jordan,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5437.htm" title="5437: tis·sōḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- A primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively.">that you turned</a> <a href="/hebrew/268.htm" title="268: lə·’ā·ḥō·wr (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- The hind side, back part. Or achor; from Achiyra'; the hinder part; hence behind, backward; also the West.">back,</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>O mountains, that you skipped like rams, O hills, like lambs?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-21.htm">Exodus 14:21-22</a></span><br />Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/3-13.htm">Joshua 3:13-17</a></span><br />When the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD—the Lord of all the earth—touch down in the waters of the Jordan, its flowing waters will be cut off and will stand up in a heap.” / So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of them. / Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-16.htm">Isaiah 43:16</a></span><br />Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the surging waters,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-10.htm">Isaiah 51:10</a></span><br />Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/3-8.htm">Habakkuk 3:8-10</a></span><br />Were You angry at the rivers, O LORD? Was Your wrath against the streams? Did You rage against the sea when You rode on Your horses, on Your chariots of salvation? / You brandished Your bow; You called for many arrows. Selah You split the earth with rivers. / The mountains saw You and quaked; torrents of water swept by. The deep roared with its voice and lifted its hands on high.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/1-4.htm">Nahum 1:4</a></span><br />He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/77-16.htm">Psalm 77:16-19</a></span><br />The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken. / The clouds poured down water; the skies resounded with thunder; Your arrows flashed back and forth. / Your thunder resounded in the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/66-6.htm">Psalm 66:6</a></span><br />He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the waters on foot; there we rejoiced in Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-9.htm">Psalm 106:9</a></span><br />He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; He led them through the depths as through a desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/136-13.htm">Psalm 136:13-14</a></span><br />He divided the Red Sea in two His loving devotion endures forever. / and led Israel through the midst, His loving devotion endures forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-1.htm">1 Corinthians 10:1-2</a></span><br />I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. / They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-29.htm">Hebrews 11:29</a></span><br />By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/16-12.htm">Revelation 16:12</a></span><br />And the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the East.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/8-26.htm">Matthew 8:26-27</a></span><br />“You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm. / The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-39.htm">Mark 4:39-41</a></span><br />Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. / “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” / Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">What ailed you, O you sea, that you fled? you Jordan, that you were driven back?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/47-6.htm">Jeremiah 47:6,7</a></b></br> O thou sword of the LORD, how long <i>will it be</i> ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/habakkuk/3-8.htm">Habakkuk 3:8</a></b></br> Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? <i>was</i> thine anger against the rivers? <i>was</i> thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses <i>and</i> thy chariots of salvation?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/philippians/2-27.htm">Ailed</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-28.htm">Aileth</a> <a href="/job/16-3.htm">Ails</a> <a href="/psalms/114-3.htm">Backward</a> <a href="/psalms/114-3.htm">Driven</a> <a href="/psalms/114-3.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/genesis/35-1.htm">Fleddest</a> <a href="/psalms/104-7.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/psalms/114-3.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/psalms/114-3.htm">Jordan</a> <a href="/psalms/114-3.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/psalms/106-23.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/psalms/114-3.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/psalms/90-3.htm">Turnest</a> <a href="/psalms/99-8.htm">Wast</a> <a href="/psalms/106-38.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/9-37.htm">Ailed</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-1.htm">Aileth</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-1.htm">Ails</a> <a href="/psalms/129-5.htm">Backward</a> <a href="/psalms/147-2.htm">Driven</a> <a href="/psalms/142-4.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/genesis/35-1.htm">Fleddest</a> <a href="/psalms/139-7.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/psalms/139-7.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-1.htm">Jordan</a> <a href="/psalms/136-13.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/psalms/116-7.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/psalms/114-8.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Turnest</a> <a href="/isaiah/12-1.htm">Wast</a> <a href="/psalms/119-3.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 114</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/114-1.htm">The miracles wrought by God, when he brought his people out of Egypt, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/114-7.htm">are a just ground of fearing him.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/114.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/114.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Why was it, O sea, that you fled</b><br>This phrase refers to the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, an event recorded in <a href="/exodus/14-21.htm">Exodus 14:21-22</a>. The Israelites, led by Moses, were escaping from Egyptian bondage, and God parted the sea to allow them to cross on dry ground. This event is a demonstration of God's power over nature and His ability to deliver His people. The sea fleeing symbolizes the removal of obstacles through divine intervention. Theologically, it represents salvation and deliverance, prefiguring Christ's victory over sin and death. The sea's obedience to God's command highlights His sovereignty over creation.<p><b>O Jordan, that you turned back</b><br>This refers to the crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land, as described in <a href="/joshua/3-14.htm">Joshua 3:14-17</a>. The river stopped flowing and piled up in a heap, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. This event parallels the crossing of the Red Sea and signifies a new beginning for the Israelites as they claim the land promised to their ancestors. It underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Theologically, the Jordan River's turning back can be seen as a type of baptism, symbolizing the transition from the old life to the new life in Christ. The event also foreshadows the ultimate inheritance believers receive through Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sea.htm">The Sea (Red Sea)</a></b><br>The Red Sea is a significant body of water that the Israelites crossed during the Exodus from Egypt. It symbolizes God's miraculous deliverance and power over nature.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jordan_river.htm">The Jordan River</a></b><br>The Jordan River is another critical site where God demonstrated His power by stopping its flow, allowing the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. This event marks the transition from the wilderness to the fulfillment of God's promise.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_exodus.htm">The Exodus</a></b><br>The Exodus is the foundational event of Israel's history, where God delivered His people from slavery in Egypt, showcasing His power and faithfulness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who experienced His deliverance and guidance through miraculous events like the parting of the Red Sea and the crossing of the Jordan River.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_presence.htm">God's Presence</a></b><br>The central theme of <a href="/bsb/psalms/114.htm">Psalm 114</a> is the presence of God among His people, which causes nature to respond in awe and obedience.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_nature.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Nature</a></b><br>The events of the sea fleeing and the Jordan turning back demonstrate God's absolute control over creation. Believers can trust in God's power to intervene in seemingly impossible situations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_remembering_god's_deeds.htm">The Importance of Remembering God's Deeds</a></b><br>Reflecting on past deliverances, like the Exodus and the crossing of the Jordan, strengthens faith and encourages believers to trust in God's continued faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_presence_brings_transformation.htm">God's Presence Brings Transformation</a></b><br>Just as God's presence caused the sea and river to respond, His presence in our lives brings transformation and change. We should seek to live in awareness of His presence daily.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_promises.htm">Faith in God's Promises</a></b><br>The crossing of the Jordan into the Promised Land is a reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises. Believers are encouraged to hold onto God's promises, knowing He is faithful to fulfill them.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/responding_to_god's_power_with_worship.htm">Responding to God's Power with Worship</a></b><br>The natural response to witnessing God's power and presence is worship. Believers are called to worship God with reverence and awe, acknowledging His greatness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_114.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 114</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_114's_exodus_fit_history.htm">How do references to the Exodus in Psalm 114 align with historical and archaeological timelines outside the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_the_sea_flee_and_jordan_reverse.htm">What natural explanation could account for the sea fleeing and the Jordan reversing in Psalm 114:3?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_literal_is_'mountains_skipping'.htm">How literally should we interpret the 'mountains skipping' in Psalm 114:4, and what scientific mechanisms could explain this imagery?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_psalm_114_8_consistent_with_moses'_rock.htm">Does the miraculous water from rock in Psalm 114:8 align with other biblical accounts of Moses striking a rock, or are there inconsistencies?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/114.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 5, 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou filledest thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back t. ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs</span>? Most poetically, the psalmist apostrophizes the sea, the Jordan, the mountains, and the lesser hills, inquiring of them for what reason they had forsaken their nature and done such strange things; or rather, addressing them as present, and as if the scenes were being enacted before his eyes, and asking why they are so strangely employed - what is causing the commotion and disturbance (see the Revised Version, where the present tense is used throughout the two verses). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/114-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Why was it,</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O sea,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַ֭יָּם</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3220.htm">Strong's 3220: </a> </span><span class="str2">A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you fled,</span><br /><span class="heb">תָנ֑וּס</span> <span class="translit">(ṯā·nūs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> </span><span class="str2">To flit, vanish away</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O Jordan,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַ֝יַּרְדֵּ֗ן</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yar·dên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3383.htm">Strong's 3383: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that you turned</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּסֹּ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(tis·sōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5437.htm">Strong's 5437: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn about, go around, surround</span><br /><br /><span class="word">back,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאָחֽוֹר׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’ā·ḥō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_268.htm">Strong's 268: </a> </span><span class="str2">The hinder part, behind, backward, the West</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/114-5.htm">Psalm 114:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/114-5.htm">Psalm 114:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/114-5.htm">Psalm 114:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/114-5.htm">Psalm 114:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/114-5.htm">Psalm 114:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/114-5.htm">Psalm 114:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/114-5.htm">Psalm 114:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/114-5.htm">Psalm 114:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/114-5.htm">Psalm 114:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/114-5.htm">Psalm 114:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/114-5.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 114:5 What was it you sea that you (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/114-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 114:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 114:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/114-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 114:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 114:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>