Christian prayer
Psalm 114
Psalm 114 in its original Hebrew, with its meaning.
- 8 verses
- Under a minute to recite
- From the Bible
Show
- 1
בְּצֵ֣את יִ֭שְׂרָאֵל מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם בֵּ֥ית יַ֝עֲקֹ֗ב מֵעַ֥ם לֹעֵֽז׃
When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;
- 2
הָיְתָ֣ה יְהוּדָ֣ה לְקָדְשׁ֑וֹ יִ֝שְׂרָאֵ֗ל מַמְשְׁלוֹתָֽיו׃
Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.
- 3
הַיָּ֣ם רָ֭אָה וַיָּנֹ֑ס הַ֝יַּרְדֵּ֗ן יִסֹּ֥ב לְאָחֽוֹר׃
The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.
- 4
הֶֽ֭הָרִים רָקְד֣וּ כְאֵילִ֑ים גְּ֝בָע֗וֹת כִּבְנֵי־צֹֽאן׃
The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.
- 5
מַה־לְּךָ֣ הַ֭יָּם כִּ֣י תָנ֑וּס הַ֝יַּרְדֵּ֗ן תִּסֹּ֥ב לְאָחֽוֹר׃
What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?
- 6
הֶֽ֭הָרִים תִּרְקְד֣וּ כְאֵילִ֑ים גְּ֝בָע֗וֹת כִּבְנֵי־צֹֽאן׃
Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?
- 7
מִלִּפְנֵ֣י אָ֭דוֹן ח֣וּלִי אָ֑רֶץ מִ֝לִּפְנֵ֗י אֱל֣וֹהַּ יַעֲקֹֽב׃
Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;
- 8
הַהֹפְכִ֣י הַצּ֣וּר אֲגַם־מָ֑יִם חַ֝לָּמִ֗ישׁ לְמַעְיְנוֹ־מָֽיִם׃
Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
Wording: The Holy Bible, King James Version, 1611 (standard text of 1769). Copied word for word from the edition named here
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When it is prayed
Many Christians recite Psalm 114 in worship or personal prayer when reflecting on God’s deliverance and faithfulness. It is especially fitting during Easter celebrations, when the Exodus is remembered alongside Christ’s resurrection. It can also be prayed as an expression of awe before God.
Where it comes from
Psalm 114 comes from the Book of Psalms in the Bible and was composed in Hebrew. It poetically recalls Israel’s departure from Egypt, the parting of the sea and the crossing of the Jordan. Its author is not named.

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Related prayers and texts
- ChristianPsalm 91A biblical psalm of trust in God’s shelter and protection amid danger.
- ChristianPsalm 23A biblical psalm of trust in God, pictured as a caring shepherd and generous host.
- ChristianPsalm 121A biblical psalm of trust in God as the keeper of those who look to him for help.
- ChristianPsalm 35A biblical psalm asking God for protection, justice and deliverance from enemies.
Questions about Psalm 114
How many verses are in Psalm 114?
Psalm 114 has 8 verses.
What does Psalm 114 mean?
The psalm celebrates God’s presence with Israel during the Exodus. Its images of fleeing waters and trembling mountains express the awe of creation before God.
How long does Psalm 114 take to recite?
It takes under a minute to recite, though you may wish to pause over its imagery.
Who wrote Psalm 114?
Its author is not named in the biblical text. It belongs to the worship poetry of ancient Israel, which Christians receive as part of the Bible.


















