What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?

PSALMS 114:5KJV
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Psalms 114:5 (KJV)

What does Psalms 114:5 mean?

Psalms 114:5 asks why the sea fled and why the Jordan River turned back, using vivid language to highlight the miraculous events when God led Israel out of Egypt. The verse is written as a question to draw attention to the extraordinary power behind these events.

The psalmist is speaking, addressing the sea and the Jordan River as if they were living beings, recalling the parting of the Red Sea and the stopping of the Jordan River during Israel’s journey. This verse is part of a poetic retelling of Israel’s deliverance, emphasizing that these natural wonders happened because of God’s presence and power.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 114:5

  • sea (יָם, yam): This word refers specifically to the Red Sea, which parted for the Israelites. Naming it directly connects the verse to the Exodus story.
  • fleddest (נוּס, nus): This verb means "to flee" or "run away," suggesting the sea’s retreat was sudden and unnatural, as if it were afraid.
  • Jordan (יַרְדֵּן, yarden): This is the proper name for the Jordan River, which stopped flowing so Israel could cross. Mentioning it highlights a second miraculous event in Israel’s history.
  • driven (סוֹבֵב, sovav) and back (אָחוֹר, achor): Together, these words mean "turned back" or "was driven back," describing the river’s waters reversing course, which would be impossible under normal circumstances.

Why Psalms 114:5 matters

  • Psalms 114:5 uses poetic questions to emphasize that the sea and river did not act on their own but responded to God’s power, making the miracles stand out more clearly.
  • The verse connects two key moments in Israel’s history—the Exodus and the entry into the Promised Land—showing that God’s presence brings about extraordinary change.
  • By personifying the sea and river, the psalmist invites readers to see creation itself as responsive to God, deepening the sense of awe and wonder in the passage.

Where else these words appear

“back” Hebrew H268 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 49:17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
  • Psalms 44:10 Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.
  • Isaiah 42:17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.

“fleddest” Hebrew H5127 · used in 143 verses

  • Genesis 14:10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
  • Judges 8:12 And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:13 He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.

“driven” Hebrew H5437 · used in 147 verses

  • Genesis 2:11 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
  • 2 Samuel 18:30 And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
  • Psalms 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.