Psalm 114 – Sanctuary
Psalm 114 – sanctuary, is a beautiful psalm, full of imagery about God’s sanctuary. What is God’s sanctuary? Where do you find sanctuary?
Psalm 114
Psalm 114 is the second of the Hallel psalms recited at Seder meals each year. It encapsulates the Exodus experience from the crossing of the Red Sea to the entrance into the promised land through the Jordan river which bookmark the 40 years of wandering in the desert of the Hebrew people.
“Charles Spurgeon had high praise for Psalm 114, the second in the series of psalms known as the Egyptian Hallel and sung as part of Israel’s Passover ceremony: “This sublime SONG OF THE EXODUS is one and indivisible. True poetry has here reached its climax: no human mind has ever been able to equal, much less to excel, the grandeur of this psalm.” Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 114
We hear in the first two verses how Israel became the dwelling place of God.
“When Israel came out of Egypt, Jacob from a people of foreign tongue,
Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.” (1-2)
“The leading tribe of Israel (Judah) represented the whole nation which became the dwelling place of God (His sanctuary). The godly in Israel always understood that God’s dwelling in the tabernacle or temple was only symbolic of His presence in His people.” Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 114
Imagery in Psalm 114
In Psalm 114 – sanctuary, the sea looked, the Jordan river turned back, mountains and hills leaped. At the Lord’s presence, inanimate objects moved as if alive.
“The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back;
the mountains leaped like rams, the hills like lambs.” (3-4)
The writer then addressed the sea and mountains as if they could hear and respond.
“Why was it, sea, that you fled? Why, Jordan, did you turn back?
Mountains, why did you leap like rams, you hills, like lambs?” (5-6)
Inanimate objects are given human characteristics, a common tool in Hebrew poetry.
“However the Bible … frequently addresses the non-human creation almost as though they can understand human speech and are capable of some kind of response. … Or perhaps it is also meant to point to how close God is to God’s created handiwork and the deep connection between Creator and Creation.” Psalm 114 – Center for Excellence in Preaching
“Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,
who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.” (7-8)
The earth itself trembled at the presence of God. It shows that all the earth is subject to God. All of the earth is God’s sanctuary.
Sanctuary
There has been much talk about sanctuary in the news recently. Sanctuary is commonly understood as a place of refuge or safety, or a holy place such as a church or temple.
“The term “sanctuary” in the Bible refers to a sacred or holy place set apart for the worship of God. It is a place where God’s presence dwells and where His people can come to offer sacrifices, pray, and seek communion with Him. The concept of sanctuary is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, from the tabernacle in the wilderness to the temple in Jerusalem, and ultimately finds its fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ and the Church.” Topical Bible: Sanctuary
There were also sanctuary cities where those who unintentionally murdered another could seek refuge as found in Numbers 35:6-34, Deuteronomy 19:1-13, and Joshua 20:1-9.
“The purpose was twofold: to provide safety from hasty vengeance and to uphold justice by distinguishing intentional murder from unintentional homicide.” What were the biblical Cities of Refuge for?
It is about safe places and safe people. There are certain places where we feel safe, and people with whom we feel safe. Homes are often referred to as sanctuaries. They are places where we can kick off our shoes and be ourselves, free of fear. Violations of that sacred space leave us feeling vulnerable and afraid. There are also people with whom we feel at home because we feel safe with them.
God’s Sanctuary
God’s sanctuary is where God resides. All of the earth is under God’s dominion. One of the themes of Psalm 114 is how God rules over the earth.
“Throughout Psalm 114, the overarching theme is God’s sovereignty. He is in control of all creation and history. This assurance allows us to rest in His plans, knowing that He works all things for our good.” Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 114
God’s sanctuary encompasses all the earth. All the earth trembles before the Lord, recognizing God’s sovereignty over it. And so, we need not fear.
“The sanctuary, throughout the biblical narrative, symbolizes God’s desire to dwell with His people and to be accessible to them. It represents a place of holiness, set apart for divine purposes, where humanity can encounter the divine.” Topical Bible: Sanctuary
All the earth is sacred, a dwelling place for God. God loves us so much that God created this world so we could be in God’s presence and walk in God’s ways.
Psalm 114 – Sanctuary
In Psalm 114 – sanctuary, we hear how Jordan became God’s sanctuary, symbolizing God’s presence with the Hebrew people. The aliens in the first verse who were living in a foreign land where they did not speak the language, are now seen as God’s people. As God’s people we are strangers no longer. We are safe under the protection of our God.
What better place to find sanctuary than with God?
Where do you find sanctuary? Where are the safe places in your life? Who are the safe people?
(For another take on this psalm, see Psalm 114: When Mountains Skip Like Rams! – Patricia M Robertson)
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
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