Psalms 114:5
What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?
Psalms 114:5
Verse 5 asks, “What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?” This is a responsive, rhetorical lament that continues the animal imagery from v.4. By addressing the sea and the Jordan directly, the psalmist dramatizes the astonishment at creation’s subservience to God’s deliverance. The rhetorical question invites readers to contemplate how the enemy forces of chaos were overcome and how even the usual boundaries of nature bowed to God’s saving act.
The verse underscores God’s supremacy over forces that communities often fear—seas, rivers, and boundary waters. It reinforces a theology of divine authority where the created order is compelled to witness and participate in God’s redemptive work. The rhetorical questions invite believers to reflect on how God’s power redefines what is possible, and how faith can face intimidating barriers with trust.
Practically, the verse can prompt courage in facing “seas” of anxiety or Jordan-like barriers in life: a difficult job change, a legal challenge, or a fragile relationship. When confronted with overwhelming obstacles, pause to recall that God has authority over chaos. This can cultivate resilience, prayer, and communal support. You can also use the imagery to teach children about trusting God with the “big” and the “small” in life’s moments.
Cross-References: Exodus 14:21–22; Joshua 3:14–17; Psalm 77:16