Psalms 114:5 Meaning and Explanation
“What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist addresses the waters directly, asking why they retreated before Israel's passage.
The Context of Psalms 114:5
The psalmist now poses a rhetorical question, shifting from narrative to direct interrogation of creation.
What Does Psalms 114:5 Mean?
The poet shifts to direct address, personifying the sea and Jordan and questioning their retreat. 'What ailed thee' suggests something troubled or disturbed these waters, prompting their fear and flight. This rhetorical device emphasizes that natural forces responded not to human power but to something far greater—God's presence with His people.
By posing the question, the psalmist invites the audience to consider what could cause such cosmic disturbance. The implied answer—the presence of the Lord—becomes the emotional and theological climax toward which the entire psalm moves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 114:5
What does Psalms 114:5 mean?
The psalmist addresses the waters directly, asking why they retreated before Israel's passage.
What is the context of Psalms 114:5?
The psalmist now poses a rhetorical question, shifting from narrative to direct interrogation of creation.