Psalms 114:6

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 114:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Ye mountains, that ye skip like rams; Ye little hills, like lambs?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Ye mountains, that ye skip like rams; Ye little hills, like lambs?
Psalms 114:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 114

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6Ye mountains, that ye skip like rams; Ye little hills, like lambs?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams, etc.] Not for joy, but fear; what caused these trembling motions, these violent agitations, and quakings, and movings to and fro like the skipping of rams? And ye little hills, like lambs? what was it that disturbed you, and put you into a panic, that you skipped like frightened lambs? These questions are put, by a beautiful and poetical figure, to inanimate creatures; the Red sea, the river of Jordan, the mountains of Sinai and Horeb, and the hills about them; to which an answer is turned in the next verse.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest?... - literally, “What to thee, O sea,” etc. That is, What influenced thee - what alarmed thee - what put thee into such fear, and caused such consternation? Instead of stating the cause or reason why they were thus thrown into dismay, the psalmist uses the language of surprise, as if these inanimate objects had been smitten with sudden terror, and as if it were proper to ask an explanation from themselves in regard to conduct that seemed so strange. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“skipped: Psa 114:4, Psa 29:6 Psalms 114:7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification