1 When Israel went out from Egypt,
the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,
2 Judah became his sanctuary,
Israel his dominion.
3 The sea looked and fled;
Jordan turned back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams,
the hills like lambs.
5 What ails you, O sea, that you flee?
O Jordan, that you turn back?
6 O mountains, that you skip like rams?
O hills, like lambs?
7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the God of Jacob,
8 who turns the rock into a pool of water,
the flint into a spring of water.
This is a short Psalm, only eight verses. Yet, these eight little verses tell a giant story and show us a glimpse of our Lord God almighty.
Versus 1-4 tell of the Exodus story. The Lord rescues his people Israel, leading them out of Egypt, through parting waters of first the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10-22) and then the River Jordon (Joshua 3:7-17). He brings them to Mount Sinai where the hills and mountain tremble (Exodus 19:18-20).
Versus 5 and 6 ask why. Why did the sea and river flow dry? Why did the hills and mountains tremble?
These questions are answered in versus 7 and 8. Simply because of God’s presence. God is near. He is Lord of all. All the earth obeys Him. Rocks produce water (Exodus 17:1-7), the earth trembles, great waters part.
I am speechless. I close my eyes and try to envision these events. My mind cramps trying to imagine being there. Then I remember that this same powerful God is with me even now. For He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. And He loves me. He loves you. He helps us, protects us, leads us. The Lord is my master.
Oh Lord, help me to stop and follow you. Especially in the midst of life as it’s happening around me. Please give me a reverent heart. Forgive me. Thank you Jesus.
