Psalm 114:1

Translations

Modern

When Israel departed from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue,

Traditional

When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;

Literal

In the going forth of Israel from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people speaking strangely,

Latin

Alleluja. In exitu Israël de Ægypto, domus Jacob de populo barbaro,

Original

Hebrew

English

When Israel departed from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue,

Notes

Psalms 114:1–2

At the time of Israel’s exodus from Egypt and their entrance into the promised land, Israel was one holy kingdom (Exodus 19:5–6).
The mention of Judah and Israel as separate lands shows the psalm was written after the kingdom was divided (1 Kings 12:16–17; compare 1 Samuel 11:8; 1 Kings 1:35), and probably after the exile. Judah became God's sanctuary because the people worshiped God there. His tabernacle, and later his temple, were located there.

Psalms 114:1–8

This song celebrates the Lord's power in nature. It remembers Israel's start as a nation during the exodus (Psalm 114:1–2) and their entry into the promised land (114:3–6). It encourages respect for the God of Jacob (Psalm 114:7–8).

Psalms 113:1–118:29

These psalms are called the Egyptian Hallel. Hallel means “praise.” Jewish people use these psalms during Passover, which began when God brought Israel out of Egypt in the exodus. The people recite Psalms 113–114 before the Passover meal, and Psalms 115–118 are recited afterward.

Psalms 111:1–117:2

The word Hallelujah! is repeated throughout this group of psalms.

Related verses

Exodus 13:3
So Moses told the people, “Remember this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; for the LORD brought you out of it by the strength of His hand. And nothing leavened shall be eaten.
Exodus 12:41–42
At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions went out of the land of Egypt.
Psalm 81:5
He ordained it as a testimony for Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt, where I heard an unfamiliar language:
Genesis 42:23
They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them.
Isaiah 11:16
There will be a highway for the remnant of His people who remain from Assyria, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 16:1
Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night.
Deuteronomy 26:8
Then the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror, signs, and wonders.
Exodus 20:2
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Exodus, the Hallel Hallelujah Music Psalms, Book of

Topics

Language: Egyptian Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Egyptian Praise for God's Attributes Psalms: Praise for God's Attributes

Psalm 114:1

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