Bible Commentaries
Psalms 114

Verses 1-8

Psalms 114:1-8.

V. 1, 2. When God brought Israel out of Egypt, he manifested his presence among them, as " his sanctuary " in which he had chosen to reside ; and he exercised " dominion " over them, in the most open and explicit manner, giving laws, inflicting punishments on the refractory, and protecting his loyal subjects against all enemies. (Marg. Ref.)

(Note,Psalms 81:1-5, Psalms 5:5.) Was his sanctuary. (2) The name of Lord, or God, is not used, but a pronoun without an antecedent is substituted ; which abrupt opening seems to express how full the heart of the Psalmist was of his subject, and of the glorious Lord whose works he celebrated. (Note, John 20:11-17; John 5:15.)

V. 3-8. Few passages can any where be found, and probably none except in the oracles of God, which unite so much sublimity and simplicity, as these verses do. They are inexpressibly beautiful, and in the highest style of poetry ; and need attention, more than explanation. The fifth verse is literally ; ’ What to thee, O sea, that thou Reddest? &c.’

(Notes, Psalms 29:3-11; Psalms 77:14-20. Psalms 96:11-13. Is. 55. 12, 13. Nahum 1:2-6. Habakkuk 3:8-10. Hebrews 12:18-21. Revelation 6:12-17; Revelation 20:11-15.)

The deliverance of Israel, and the visible effects of Omnipotence attending it, may be considered as a figure of the establishment of Christianity, and the fall of opposing powers before it ; for which no adequate cause can be assigned, except " that it was of God, and men could not overturn it." (Marg. Ref. Notes, Exodus 17:5; Exodus 6:7; Is 43: 14- 21.) ’ The composition of this short Psalm is extremely beautiful. It commences with the simplicity of plain narration (1), but rises prodigiously as it proceeds. The inspired Poet, describing the scene, is at once transported to the s; ot, sees what he relates, and demands the cause (5) : when, suddenly overawed himself by the sense of the present Deity, he joins in calling upon the whole earth to " tremble at the presence of the God of Jacob " (7) .’

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

When the Lord comes for the salvation of his chosen people, he redeems them from the power of sin and Satan, and separates them from an ungodly world, and its maxims, customs, and language : he forms them to be his temple, and he becomes their King. From that time he stands engaged by promises to make them his peculiar care ; he meets them in his ordinances; and causes the whole course of nature, and all the dispensations of his providence, to concur in doing them good. Having, as it were, divided the Red sea, to bring them out of bondage, at their conversion ; he will surely divide Jordan, to open them a safe passage to their heavenly inheritance. All things, even death itself, are theirs; (Note, 1 Corinthians 3:18-23; v: 21, 22 ;) and all nature shall sooner change its settled course, than one of his promises shall fail. As the Son of God, the Rock of ages, gave himself to death, to open a fountain to wash away their sins, and to supply them with the waters of life and consolation ; while they are washing in that fountain and drinking of those waters, they cannot possible think any thing too great to expect from his unfathomable love. But, if the inanimate creation is represented as trembling at the presence of the Creator, how should sinners fear before their just and holy Governor and Judge His voice from mount Sinai may well alarm those, who have broken that holy law, and yet remain under the curse of it; and they, who neglect the great salvation of the gospel, are liable to another and more terrible condemnation : but none will be so dreadfully punished, as those, who injure the Lord’s chosen people, and try to obstruct them in their pilgrimage. What will be their consternation, when the Judge shall appear, and all the creation shall melt, or vanish, at his presence ! Let us therefore now prepare to meet our God, that we may neither be terrified nor " ashamed, but have confidence before him, at his coming,"