“This psalm celebrates the deliverance of God’s people at the exodus- a fitting song to be sung at Passover which was instituted at that time (Ex. 12)” BK, 876. “This is a hymn, but a unique one. It contains no imperative call for worship.” Broyles, 426. This psalm is “a fierce delight and pride in the great march of God gleams through every line of this poem” Kidner, 402-403.

“The psalm celebrates God’s deliverance from bondage in Egypt- vs. 1, 3, 5, His provision during the wilderness wanderings- vs. 8, and Israel’s entry into the promised land- vs. 3, 5” Longman, 392. 

Psalm 114 and its place among Psalm 113-118. “Psalm 114 is somewhat unique in this collection of psalms. First, it does not contain the words hallelujah that are characteristic of this group of psalms. Since Psalm 113 both begins and ends with the words, and Psalm 115-117 end with them, some suggest that the final hallelujah of Psalm 113 should be transposed to the beginning of Psalm 114. The final psalm in this collection, however, Psalm 118, also does not have the expression, either at its beginning or end, so the missing hallelujah in Psalm 114 should not be viewed as problematic” NICOT, 850. “Psalm 114 is classified as a community hymn, but it lacks the usual words of invitation to worshippers to join in reciting the hymn” NICOT, 850.

How does the Psalm look back at the Exodus?
114:1 Egypt, strange language

114:2 His sanctuary- Exodus 15:13, 17

114:3, 5 Crossing the Red sea- Exodus 14:21-31

The Jordan River divided- Joshua 3-4

114:4, 6 Mountains and hills skipped- Exodus 19:18; 20:18-21

114:8 Water from a rock- Exodus 17:1-7; Num. 20:2-13; Deut. 8:15

How does the Psalm look forward to Jesus’?
114:1 “Out of Egypt I have called My Son” in Hosea 11:1; Matt. 2:14-15. The OT Exodus foreshadows a greater exodus in Jesus. 

114:2 His sanctuary- Jesus is in John 1:1, 14, but God’s people His dwelling place in I Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:19-22.

114:4, 6 Word used for lambs in Greek translation used in Revelation over 20 times of Jesus.

114:4, 6, 7 Earth quaked Matt. 27:51; 28:2 at the death and resurrection of Jesus

114:8 Jesus placed in rock- Matt. 27:60; Mark 15:46- but the living water came out from the rock. Jesus was the Rock I Cor. 10:4.

“The New Testament frequently applies this concept to God’s people, the church (see I Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20; II Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:21)” Willis, 70.

“That Jesus’ life and ministry follow the pattern of the exodus, wilderness wanderings, and conquest reminds us that, just as Israel looked to their past for hope, we are to look to the death and resurrection of our Passover Lamb, for the confidence to live in an uncertain present” Longman, 392.