Each of the 150 psalms is unique in terms of its tone, occasion, length, and subject. Psalm 114 is a poetic masterpiece, celebrating with exuberance the triumph of God on behalf of His people. As the second praise song of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118), it contains four extraordinary stanzas. The first stanza declares the wonder of God dwelling among His people and ruling over them. After Israel’s exodus from Egypt, the LORD met them at Mount Sinai. When His glory came down and filled the wilderness tabernacle, and later the temple, Israel literally became God’s “sanctuary,” or holy place. The nation was set apart by God’s presence, and they lived under His “dominion,” or rule. They were a theocracy, that is, a nation governed directly by God. No other nation, before or since, has enjoyed this incredible privilege. However, we, as the church of Jesus Christ, now constitute a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Since the Holy Spirit dwells within every Christian, we are God’s new sanctuary, with Jesus ruling over us as King (v 1-2). The second stanza uses memorable language to capture Israel’s experience when delivered out of the hand of Pharaoh. With the parting of the Red Sea at the beginning of their journey, “the sea looked and fled.” Forty years later, as they crossed the Jordan River and finally entered the Promised Land, “Jordan turned back.” The first miracle came when Moses stretched out his hand and a strong east wind began to blow. The second miracle occurred when Joshua commanded the priests bearing the ark of the covenant to step into the waters. But the dry ground also behaved in supernatural ways during those unusual days. As God came down to Mount Sinai to give the people His law, “the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.” Scripture says the sight was so terrifying that even Moses trembled with fear (v 3-4). What could possibly have caused such disturbances in the world of nature? How could the sea open up, creating a dry pathway? What explanation can be given for a river reversing its flow? What would account for the shaking of majestic mountain peaks? This is what the third stanza asks rhetorically. The author must have been smiling as he wrote, knowing the answer full well, and knowing we know the answer too! For twelve lines the drama builds (v 5-6). The expected answer comes in the last stanza. Seas, rivers, and mountains move only in the presence of their Maker. It was God alone whose power did all these things in order to save His people. Like the earth, let us tremble in God’s presence, and rejoice. If God is for us, who can be against us? (v 7-8). For further meditation: