Psalms 114 · Grade 5
The Presence of the God of Jacob
Read and Think
Psalm 114 has no title and names no author. It compresses the whole exodus, from Egypt to Canaan, into eight vivid verses. Its first lines state the purpose of the rescue: Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion. God redeemed a people so that he could dwell among them and rule them.
The psalm uses personification, giving human actions to things in nature. The sea saw it, and fled; the Jordan was driven back; the mountains skipped like rams, the little hills like lambs. Then the poet teases them: What was it, you sea, that you fled? The questions slow us down to feel the wonder of these events. The psalm's answer is that God himself was present.
The answer comes as a command: Tremble, you earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob. The God before whom the earth trembles is also the God who provides. He turned the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of waters. In the New Testament, Paul says the rock in the wilderness pointed to Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4).
Show What You Know
What was the purpose of the exodus, according to verse 2?
What is personification?
Why does the poet ask the sea and mountains questions?
In the New Testament, how does Paul connect the rock to Christ?
Crossword
Across
- When ____ went out of Egypt.
- The ____ skipped like rams.
Down
- The ____ was driven back.
- The ____ saw it.
- When Israel went out of ____.
Think About It
Creation trembles at God's presence. How should God's presence shape the way you worship?
God redeemed Israel to dwell among them. What does it mean for you that God wants to be near his people?
Memory Verse
“The sea saw it, and fled. The Jordan was driven back.”
Psalms 114:3 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for your power over the sea. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How does 1 Corinthians 10:4 connect to Psalm 114?
- How can you stay aware that God is with you today?
- What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.