Psalm 114 (113):2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This is why He did not initially question the faith of those who approached Him, as they had yet to receive the confirmation of His deity. Instead, after leaving evidence of His power throughout Palestine—healing ailments, vanquishing evil, proclaiming the kingdom, and imparting salvation—you could observe His expectation of belief from those who came to Him. Unlike humans who strive for power and then extend kindness, God begins with kindness. What more can be said? For, He endured the cross prior to conquering the world, showcasing His care through His actions. The prophet summarizes this in the psalm's wording, ‘after the exodus of Israel out of Egypt, of the house of Jacob out of the barbarous nation, Judea became His sanctuary.’ What does ‘Judah became His sanctuary’ signify? More precisely, it indicates a people dedicated to Him, serving Him, and united with Him. The physical sanctuary was the temple, including the holy of holies, as Zechariah notes in a query about entering the sanctuary or fasting (Zechariah 7:3), highlighting the return of the tabernacle and related practices. ‘Judea became His sanctuary’ denotes a transformation; it was once an unclean and disregarded land, but upon Israel's arrival, it became 'His holy place' through the observance of His commandments, sacrificial acts, worship, and sacred rituals. ‘Israel is His province’ indicates that they are under His authority. Though the entire universe is subject to His dominion, these people have a unique closeness to Him, as He revealed prophecies to them, communicated with them, and orchestrated their matters. In relation to this, they were His people, often answering His call to battle and undertaking various missions. Having rescued them from foreign oppressors, violence, enslavement, and dire peril, He became their sovereign. Thus, elsewhere He justifies Himself and emphasizes the benefits He provided before demanding anything in return by asking, ‘Was I a wilderness to Israel? Was I a barren land?’ (Jer. 2:31) The implication here is, Have I been lacking in generosity? Have I not bestowed countless blessings upon you? Have I not altered nature itself for your benefit? Have I not commanded the elements to serve you? Have I not granted you a life free from menial toil? Therefore, when He questions ‘Was I a wilderness for Israel?’ He is reiterating that He has showered upon them infinite gifts: liberation from Egypt, protection from enemies, miraculous manifestations, sustenance in the desert, the promise of the land, victories over Gentiles, continuous triumphs, remarkable signs, abundant miracles, fruitful land, increased offspring, and great renown across the earth, among many others. Can you perceive the gifts of God? Therefore, He adds: ‘have I been an unfruitful land?’ asking if they have not reaped plentiful rewards from Him. Have I not blessed your comings and goings, your flocks and herds, your provisions? Have I not granted you security, made you formidable, and invincible? Have not blessings flowed to you like springs from the earth and heaven? The Lord reveals Himself in this profound manner, showing His deep concern for His people. This is why Christ stated that ‘the good shepherd’ does not merely seek honor and service but ‘lays down his life for the sheep’ (John 10:11). This exemplifies true authority and pastoral wisdom; prioritizing the well-being of those under one's care often overshadows one's own benefits. A leader functions similarly to a healer, even surpassing them, as the healer provides remedy through skill, while the leader risks personal harm for the sake of others. This was the case with Christ, who bore suffering, crucifixion, and immense trials. This is why Paul noted, ‘For Christ also pleased not Himself, but, as it is written, ‘The reproaches of them that reproached Thee fell upon Me’ (Rom. 15:3). The prophet enumerates various blessings, highlighting that God liberated the Israelites from foreign powers, released them from captivity, alleviated their struggles and suffering, performed countless miracles, and exalted them by making them His holy people and subjects, marking a significant favor in choosing them for His service.

When Israel departed from Egypt and the house of Jacob emerged from a foreign nation, Judah became His sanctuary, and Israel His kingdom (Psalm 112:1-2). The sea retreated, and the Jordan was pushed back (Psalm 112:3). We should not view these accounts solely as historical but consider their prophetic implications. While these miracles unfolded for Israel, they foreshadowed the present and future. The narrative diverges from what we know, not to suggest mere repetition but to indicate forthcoming events. Scripture does not state that the Jordan merely pushed back; it describes it halting at its source while the people passed through. We do not read of mountains leaping, yet the psalmist adds these images to heighten the wonder. He notes the sea’s flight and the Jordan’s retreat, then poses the question: "What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?" (Psalm 112:5-6).

Let us glean the lessons here, for these events were symbolic of our own journey. If we embrace the grace of God bestowed upon us, we too are considered Israel, the descendants of Abraham, as the apostle affirms: "Therefore you are Abraham's seed." No Christian should view himself as separate from the identity of Israel, as we are united in Christ with our believing Jewish forebears. Our Lord spoke of "other sheep" not of this fold, whom He intends to gather, resulting in one flock under one Shepherd (John 10:16). Therefore, the Christian body embodies Israel, and by extension, Jacob; for both identities converge in Christ. The multitude of Jews, however, criticized for betrayal, surrendered their inheritance for worldly pleasures, aligning themselves more with Esau than Jacob, recalling that it was said, "The elder shall serve the younger."

Egypt, representing suffering and oppression, symbolizes the world from which we must spiritually detach, avoiding the yoke with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). Every individual becomes a worthy citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem by first renouncing worldly ties, just as Israel could not enter the promised land without exiting Egypt. Just as their exodus required divine intervention, so too must we seek God’s grace to turn from worldly desires. What had once been a mere figure now finds fulfillment in every faithful believer through the Church’s mission in these last days, as John alludes (1 John 2:18). Listen to the apostle, the herald to the Gentiles: "I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and they all passed through the sea; they were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; they all consumed the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, which was Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:1-6). What more do you require, beloved brothers? It is evident not through human reasoning but through the apostolic affirmation that these events, once foreshadowing, are now realized in our salvation. The future was foretold then, while now we read the past and reflect on the present.

Marvelously, the hidden truths of antiquity emerge more clearly through the prophetic voices. The prophet Micah states, "In the days of your exodus from Egypt, I will show wonders…" Thus, while the psalm captures the extraordinary moments of history, it also looks ahead with the spirit of prophecy. Judah stands as His sanctuary, and although the verbs describing the sea's flight and the Jordan's retreat are in the past tense, they simultaneously reveal future truths. Even long after these events, the psalmist affirms that he prophesies: "In the days of your coming out of the land of Egypt, I will show wonders. The nations shall see and be put to shame." The sea saw and ran signifies more than just historical fact; it unveils a deeper future revelation. Further down, he alludes to those adversaries who pursued us—our sins that, like the Egyptians, drown in the waters of Baptism, stating that God, in His goodness, will have mercy on us and cast our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

What does this mean for you, beloved? You who identify as Israelites by Abraham's lineage, who belong to Jacob’s house and are heirs of the promise, understand that you too have emerged from Egypt by renouncing worldly ties. You have exited a foreign land as you separate yourselves from the falsehoods of the Gentiles. It is not your own tongue, but a foreign one, that fails to praise God; to Him you shout Hallelujah. For Judah has become His sanctuary within you; true identity is not about outward appearance, nor merely physical circumcision, but inward transformation—the circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:28-29). Examine your hearts to discern whether faith has transformed them, whether confession has purified them; for within you, Judah has become His sanctuary, and Israel His dominion. He has bestowed upon you the authority to be sons of God (John 1:12).

Yet, I urge you not to seek your own way or to turn prematurely back like the Jordan. Remember that the Lord rebukes those who turn away from Him (Jeremiah 2:27). Those who forsake the wellspring of their existence place themselves in the bitter turmoil of this world. It is better for them to turn back, allowing the God they previously ignored to stand before them once more, ensuring that the chaos they faced might fall behind. By doing so, they can forget what lies behind and strive for what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13), leading to growth after their conversion.

"Tremble, O earth, in the presence of the Lord, in the presence of the God of Jacob" (Psalm 113:7). What does this phrase imply if not the presence of He who promised, "Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:30)? The earth trembled, yet one’s refusal to awaken within Him perpetuates the tremor, calling all to stand firmly in His presence.

He who turns rock into water and flint into springs (Psalm 113:8) transforms Himself, softening that which seemed hard to provide life to those who believe in Him—becoming in them a fountain of water springing up to eternal life (John 4:14). Before He was revealed, He appeared stiff; thus, many exclaimed, "This is a hard saying; who can bear it?" (John 6:60). Unaware of His outpouring just waiting to be revealed by the Scriptures, they could not grasp that the 'rock' became pools of water—a source of life. When resurrected, He illuminated the Scriptures from Moses onward, explaining that Christ must suffer (Luke 24:26-27) and, at last, poured out the Holy Spirit, inviting all, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37).

In the verses following, we read of Israel's exodus from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a foreign land. Judah became His sanctuary, and Israel His domain. Here, the term "Israel" and the phrase "house of Jacob" refer to the lineage of the Jewish people, while "Egypt" signifies the Gentile nations. Aquila refers to them as a foreign people. David thus proclaims that upon their exit from Egypt, the land of the Jews was consecrated as the sanctuary of God, designated for divine service, and the Jewish nation was established as God's inheritance, governed and guided by Him.

Although all humanity is inherently under God's sovereignty as His creations, it is the Jews alone who form His chosen people by divine election and purpose, as clarified by the Goldsmith. Isychius interprets the term "Judea" as a symbol of confession, while "Israel" denotes the mind that perceives God. Thus, it is essential first to confess in order to become a sanctified vessel of the Almighty and transform oneself into His dwelling place and temple. By perfecting oneself through contemplation of the truth, one can attain the true essence of Israel, and through a pure heart, witness God and receive divine happiness.

The sea and the Jordan illustrate the people who witnessed the grace of Christ, turning away from wickedness to embrace holy faith and willingly accepting baptism. Even nature bowed and retreated upon seeing the Leader who paved the way for His people so that the Jews might recognize God's universal power. The mountains symbolize the prophets, and the hills represent the apostles, rejoicing in Christ the Lord, who desires to save humanity. The sea was spared from the divine authority and parted by the transient Israelites, while the Jordan reversed its flow when the covenant of the Lord was entrusted to them. This foreshadows the baptism of the Lord. Among all the rivers on earth, it is in the Jordan that Christ administers the sacrament of baptism. This river is formed from two springs, Porus and Dan, merging to create a river that does not flow into the living sea but into the Dead Sea. The Jordan serves as a metaphor for our mortal existence. The mountains symbolize angels, and the hills epitomize God’s cherished ones, rejoicing at the arrival of Christ, the Saviour of the world. Humanity, represented by the earth, is moved by the joyous Gospel from sin to repentance. The goodness of Jacob—descendants of Abraham, patriarchs, and prophets—proclaims the message of Christ, who delivered them from the depths of hell.