Psalms 114:4
Psalms 114:4 in Multiple Translations
the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.
The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.
The mountains skipped like rams, The little hills like lambs.
The mountains were jumping like goats, and the little hills like lambs.
Mountains jumped in fright like rams, hills startled like lambs.
The mountaines leaped like rams, and the hils as lambes.
The mountains have skipped as rams, Heights as sons of a flock.
The mountains skipped like rams, the little hills like lambs.
The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.
And I called upon the name of the Lord. O Lord, deliver my soul.
When they came to Sinai Mountain and there was a big earthquake, it was as though the mountains skipped/jumped like goats do and the hills jumped around like lambs do.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 114:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 114:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הֶֽ֭/הָרִים
רָקְד֣וּ
כְ/אֵילִ֑ים
גְּ֝בָע֗וֹת
כִּ/בְנֵי
צֹֽאן
הֶֽ֭/הָרִים
har
H2022
mountain
Art | N-mp
רָקְד֣וּ
râqad
H7540
to skip about
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
כְ/אֵילִ֑ים
ʼayil
H352
ram
Prep | N-mp
גְּ֝בָע֗וֹת
gibʻâh
H1389
Gibeat
N-fp
כִּ/בְנֵי
bên
H1121
son
Prep | N-mp
צֹֽאן
tsôʼn
H6629
Sheep (Gate)
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 114:4
הֶֽ֭/הָרִים
har
H2022
"mountain"
Art | N-mp
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
רָקְד֣וּ
râqad
H7540
"to skip about"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This verb means to jump or dance around, often with joy or excitement. It is used in the Bible to describe celebrations and happy times, like the Israelites dancing after defeating their enemies.
Definition: 1) to skip about 1a) (Qal) to skip about 1b) (Piel) to dance, leap 1c) (Hiphil) to make to skip
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: dance, jump, leap, skip. See also: 1 Chronicles 15:29; Psalms 114:6; Psalms 29:6.
כְ/אֵילִ֑ים
ʼayil
H352
"ram"
Prep | N-mp
A strong tree, like an oak or a ram, symbolizes strength and power, as seen in 1 Kings 7:2 where Solomon builds a house with strong pillars. It can also refer to a chief or leader, like in 1 Chronicles 12:14 where the leaders of the tribes are listed.
Definition: 1) ram 1a) ram (as food) 1b) ram (as sacrifice) 1c) ram (skin dyed red, for tabernacle)
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree. See also: Genesis 15:9; Numbers 28:20; Psalms 66:15.
גְּ֝בָע֗וֹת
gibʻâh
H1389
"Gibeat"
N-fp
Gibeat refers to a small hill, with the name meaning hill, and is another spelling of Gibeah. It appears in various KJV translations as hill or little hill.
Definition: This name means hill Another spelling of giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeah" H1390H)
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: hill, little hill. See also: Genesis 49:26; Isaiah 30:17; Psalms 65:13.
כִּ/בְנֵי
bên
H1121
"son"
Prep | N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
צֹֽאן
tsôʼn
H6629
"Sheep (Gate)"
N-cs
This word refers to a flock of sheep or goats, and is sometimes used to describe people in a figurative sense. It is also associated with the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, a significant location in biblical times.
Definition: This name means sheep and goats Also named: probatikos (προβατικός "Sheep Gate" G4262)
Usage: Occurs in 247 OT verses. KJV: (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds). See also: Genesis 4:2; Deuteronomy 28:31; Psalms 44:12.
Study Notes — Psalms 114:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 114:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 114:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 114:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 114:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 114:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 114:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 114:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 114:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 114:4
- Sermons on Psalms 114:4
Context — A Psalm of Exodus
2Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel His dominion.
3The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back;
4the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.
5Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back, 6O mountains, that you skipped like rams, O hills, like lambs?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 5:4–5 | O LORD, when You went out from Seir, when You marched from the land of Edom, the earth trembled, the heavens poured out rain, and the clouds poured down water. The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai, before the LORD, the God of Israel. |
| 2 | Exodus 19:18 | Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. |
| 3 | Exodus 20:18 | When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance. |
| 4 | Habakkuk 3:6 | He stood and measured the earth; He looked and startled the nations; the ancient mountains crumbled; the perpetual hills collapsed. His ways are everlasting. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 4:23–24 | I looked at the earth, and it was formless and void; I looked to the heavens, and they had no light. I looked at the mountains, and behold, they were quaking; all the hills were swaying. |
| 6 | Habakkuk 3:8 | 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? |
| 7 | Revelation 20:11 | Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. |
| 8 | 2 Peter 3:7–11 | And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness |
| 9 | Micah 1:3–4 | For behold, the LORD comes forth from His dwelling place; He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth. The mountains will melt beneath Him, and the valleys will split apart, like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope. |
| 10 | Psalms 29:6 | He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. |
Psalms 114:4 Summary
[This verse, Psalms 114:4, is saying that when God is present, even the biggest and strongest things, like mountains, can move and jump with joy, like a ram or a lamb, as we see in other passages like Psalms 96:11-13. It's a beautiful picture of how powerful and amazing God is, and how He can make even the most unlikely things happen, as described in Jeremiah 32:17. The idea is that God's presence is so powerful and majestic that it can make even the strongest elements of nature respond in a way that is both strong and gentle, like a lamb, as seen in Matthew 11:28-30.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of the mountains and hills skipping like rams and lambs in Psalms 114:4?
This verse is a poetic expression of the powerful and majestic movement of nature in response to God's presence, similar to how the earth responded in Psalms 68:8 and Psalms 97:4-5.
Is this verse meant to be taken literally or figuratively?
This verse is meant to be taken figuratively, as it is using poetic language to convey the idea that even the natural world is responding to God's power and glory, as seen in other passages like Isaiah 55:12.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Psalm?
This verse is part of a larger passage that describes the Exodus and the power of God, with the preceding verse, Psalms 114:3, describing the sea and Jordan fleeing, and the following verses, Psalms 114:5-6, asking rhetorical questions about the reason for this movement.
What can we learn from the comparison of mountains to rams and hills to lambs?
The comparison of mountains to rams and hills to lambs in Psalms 114:4 may suggest the idea that even the strongest and most powerful elements of nature are subdued and gentle in the presence of God, much like the humble and gentle nature of lambs, as seen in Isaiah 40:11.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond to the presence of God in my life, and what are some ways I can cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for His power and majesty?
- What are some areas of my life where I feel like I am 'skipping like a ram' or 'leaping like a lamb' in response to God's presence, and how can I nurture and grow in those areas?
- In what ways can I, like the mountains and hills, be still and know that God is God, as described in Psalms 46:10?
- How can I apply the idea of the natural world responding to God's power to my own life, and what are some ways I can 'flee' from sin and 'turn back' to God, as described in Psalms 114:3?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 114:4
The mountains skipped like rams,.... The mountains of Sinai and Horeb quaked and moved at the presence of the Lord, when he descended thereon to give the law; these saw his glory and trembled, Exodus 19:18.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 114:4
The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. The mountains (namely, Sinai) skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs - (Psalms 29:6). The fact alluded to is Exodus 19:18 (cf.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 114:4
Horeb and Sinai, two tops of one mountain, and other neighbouring hills or mountains. Compare ,10.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 114:4
Psalms 114:4 The mountains skipped like rams, [and] the little hills like lambs.Ver. 4. The mountains skipped like rams] sc. At the giving of the law, Exodus 19:18, which also causeth heartquakes in believers; but the unjust knoweth no shame, Zephaniah 3:5; is past feeling, Ephesians 4:19.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 114:4
(4) Skipped.—The Hebrew word thus rendered is translated “dance” in Ecclesiastes 3:4. (See Psalms 18:7.) Exodus 19:18 was no doubt in the poet’s thought, but the leaping of the hills formed part of every theophany.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 114:4
4. A poetical description of the earthquake which accompanied the giving of the Law at Sinai (Exodus 19:18; cp. Judges 5:4; Psalms 68:8). For the figure cp. Psalms 29:6.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 114:4
The mountains skipped like rams - As flocks in their gambols. They seemed to move from place to place; everything seemed to be unsettled, and acknowledged the presence of the Omnipotent One.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 114:4
4. Mountains skipped—That is, Horeb and Sinai moved to and fro. The word rendered skip, here, indicates a hasty, undulating motion, a coming and retiring, as from fright.
Sermons on Psalms 114:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Si Interview of Ray Comfort by Ray Comfort | In this video, the speaker begins by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share and discuss their ministry. They then share their personal journey of being led by God into p |
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The Preaching of George Whitefield by E.A. Johnston | The video is a sermon transcript about the preaching of George Whitefield, a renowned preacher in the 18th century. Whitefield had a powerful and captivating preaching style that k |
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The Leading of the Lord by George Warnock | In this sermon, the preacher discusses God's dealings with the saints and the importance of being a holy and cleansed people. He references the book of Job and the sayings of Elihu |
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(1 Corinthians) ch.14:1-15:19 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on 1 Corinthians 14:1, which encourages Christians to pursue love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts. The aim in life should be to have the ty |
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(Exodus) Exodus 20:18-24 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the giving of the law to the Israelites on Mount Sinai. He emphasizes that the giving of the law was not a beautiful or pleasant event, but r |
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No Two Saints Are Alike by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses various topics related to the Christian faith. He mentions spending time in the water for about 25 minutes out of a total of four hours. He a |
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A Woman Who Fears the Lord Is to Be Praised by John Piper | In this sermon, the preacher uses a personal anecdote to illustrate the fear of God. He describes a situation where a dog chases after someone who runs away from it, comparing it t |