Psalm 114 deals with the same history as many other historical psalms (chiefly the exodus, the most important event in Israel’s history), but does so in a very different way. Just eight verses long, the psalm does not mention God until near the end (the NIV’s interpolation of ‘God’ in verse 2 clarifies the psalm’s meaning, but is not present in the Hebrew text), but is written in very poetic language (using personification of the seas and mountains) and form (using the poetic chiastic form A B B’ A’). One commentator says that it has ‘a sense of exhilaration, even glee‘ (Michael Wilcock), focussing on God’s sovereignty and power through His actions on His people’s behalf.
In mentioning the parting of the Red Sea and the parting of the River Jordan (Ps 114:3), the psalm contains the whole of the exodus history in just a few verses, alluding also to the giving of the Ten Commandmants (when the mountain trembled) and to God’s provision of water from the rock (Ps 114:7-8, see also Ex 17:1-7) From this, we see God’s total control and ability to provide for His people, no matter how impossible the situation may look. We see also in this psalm God’s desire to be with us (‘Judah became His sanctuary, Israel His dominion’.) Paul repeatedly teaches that we are now ‘in Christ’ (Rom 8:1, Rom 16:9, 1 Cor 15:22), but even more amazing is the truth that Christ dwells in us (Col 1:27, Eph 3:17, 2 Cor 13:5, Gal 2:20). We have become His sanctuary, made possible through the sacrifice of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. God’s presence was the thing that distinguished Israel from all other nations and before whom the whole earth trembles; God’s presence is the thing that sets us apart for HIs rule and reign.