Psalms 114

Psalms 114:1

Psalms 114

THE

This Psalm is a solemn commemoration of Israel’ s deliverance out of Egypt; and probably it was to be sung, amongst others, at the celebration of the passover.

The psalmist, rehearsing God’ s delivering the Israelites out of Egypt, exhorteth all creatures to praise him.

Which was a great aggravation of their captivity and misery. Compare .

Psalms 114:2

Judah, or Israel, as it is explained in the next clause; one tribe being put for all; which is a common synecdoche. Judah he mentions as the chief of all the tribes, not only in number and power, but also in dignity, in which the kingdom was to be seated, , &c., as at this time it actually was, and from which the Messias was to spring. His, i.e. God’ s, which is easily understood from the whole context, and from the nature of the thing.

Sanctuary; or, holiness; the people of God’ s holiness, as they are called, ; or, his holy people, as ; sanctified or set apart from all the nations of the world to be his peculiar people and possession. His dominion, in a peculiar manner, to be governed by his laws, and honoured with his special presence and favour.

Psalms 114:3

Saw it, to wit, this glorious work of God in bringing his people out of Egypt.

Psalms 114:4

Horeb and Sinai, two tops of one mountain, and other neighbouring hills or mountains. Compare ,10.

Psalms 114:5

What was the cause of this unusual motion? Such speeches directed to senseless creatures are very frequent, both in Scripture and in other authors, and especially in poetical writings, such as this is.

Psalms 114:7

But why do I ask these questions? Ye mountains did no more than what was just and fit at the approach and appearance of the great God; yea, the whole earth hath reason to tremble and quake upon such occasions.