Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

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Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Psalm 114 with John Calvin – Remembering God’s Deliverance

This psalm contains a short account of that deliverance by which God brought his people out of Egypt and brought them to the promised land, providing proof of his power and grace that should be remembered forever. This wonderful deliverance was designed so the descendants of Abraham would surrender themselves fully to God, who graciously adopted them as his holy and treasured people (Exod 19:5–6). When Israel came out of Egypt (v. 1). Since the exodus was a remarkable pledge and symbol of God’s love for the children of Abraham, it is not surprising that it is remembered so often. In the beginning of the psalm, the prophet informs us that the people God purchased at such a high price are no longer their own: Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion (v. 2). In delivering his people, God constructed a kingdom for himself and gained respect for his sacred name. If they do not constantly reflect upon such a remarkable instance of his kindness, their ingratitude is inexcusable. After the people passed through the Red Sea, God gave another splendid demonstration of his power in the wilderness. The glory of God did not appear on one day only, at the departure of the people. It constantly shone in his other works, as when a stream suddenly poured out of the dry rock (Exod 17:6). Waters may be found trickling out from among rocks and stony places, but to make them flow out of a dry rock was unquestionably miraculous.