S--Psalm 114
O--The second "verse" in the song of praise. The psalmist is rehearsing the history of God's relationship with the people of Israel. It's said that the first Hallel, the first praise song, was sung when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea after being delivered from the slavery in Egypt. Israel was their house, but Judah was their home--the place where the ones who wholeheartedly desired to serve God landed. When God promised to deliver His people from slavery and into a promised land, even the land and sea got in on the action. I like the question "What ails you, O sea, that you flee?" It seems to be a rhetorical question--the psalmist knows there's nothing wrong with the sea or the mountains. They are simply responding to the voice of their Creator, the One whose presence causes all of creation to tremble. I love the word "skip", which means to bound, frolic, dance, leap. This exact word is used in verses 4 and 6, and again in Ecclesiastes 3:4- "A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance."
A--As I was studying Psalm 113 yesterday, I thought of a scene from "The Office". (We are huge fans at our house!!😁) They are singing Happy Birthday to Creed, and Michael adds "Skip around the room, skip around the room!" to the end of the song. That's how I felt reading Psalm 113!! Who is like the Lord Our God? makes me want to frolic and dance! Then to read Psalm 114 is a confirmation that this is exactly how the Word of God SHOULD make us feel!! There's a time to mourn and a time to weep, (And we in America feel like we've had lots of reasons to dwell in these emotions lately). But we should be rehearsing the goodness of God, singing His praise with great joy!! This chapter changes me by encouraging me to join with all of creation with praise in response to the presence of God!!
K--Praise God for His faithfulness and His presence.
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