Psalms 114:3 Meaning and Explanation
“The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Nature itself responded to God's power by retreating to make way for Israel.
The Context of Psalms 114:3
The psalm recalls God's power displayed through two major water miracles: at the Red Sea and at the Jordan crossing.
What Does Psalms 114:3 Mean?
The Red Sea's parting during the exodus and the Jordan River's stopping at the crossing both testify to God's command over creation. By describing the waters as seeing and fleeing, the psalmist personifies nature as conscious of God's presence and responsive to His will. These were not mere natural phenomena but acts of divine intervention.
The parallelism of sea and Jordan emphasizes God's repeated faithfulness across Israel's journey from slavery to settlement. Each miracle reinforced the covenant people's confidence that their God controls nature itself and uses creation to accomplish His purposes.
Psalms 114:3 in the Original Language
nās (נָס), 'fled'—to depart hastily, expressing the immediate response of creation to divine command.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 114:3
What does Psalms 114:3 mean?
Nature itself responded to God's power by retreating to make way for Israel.
What is the context of Psalms 114:3?
The psalm recalls God's power displayed through two major water miracles: at the Red Sea and at the Jordan crossing.