Psalms 114:5

3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.

4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.

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

6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?

7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back,
KJV
What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?
WEB
What was it, you sea, that you fled? You Jordan, that you turned back?
ASV
What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleest? Thou Jordan, that thou turnest back?
DARBY
What ailed thee, thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou turnedst back?
BLB
What [was it] to you, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, [that] you turned back,
ÅB
Hva har hendt deg, du hav, at du flykter, du Jordan, at du vender om og løper tilbake,
OTB
Hva er det med deg, hav, at du flykter?
Jordan, at du snur tilbake?
B1930
Hvad har hendt dig, du hav, at du flyr, du Jordan, at du vender om og løper tilbake,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Habakkuk 3:8

    Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 47:6–7

    O thou sword of the LORD, how long will it be ere thou be quiet? put up thyself into thy scabbard, rest, and be still.

    Read in context