Psalms 114:4
The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.
Original Language Analysis
הֶֽ֭הָרִים
The mountains
H2022
הֶֽ֭הָרִים
The mountains
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
1 of 6
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
רָקְד֣וּ
skipped
H7540
רָקְד֣וּ
skipped
Strong's:
H7540
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, to stamp, i.e., to spring about (wildly or for joy)
כְאֵילִ֑ים
like rams
H352
כְאֵילִ֑ים
like rams
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
3 of 6
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
Cross References
Exodus 19:18And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.Exodus 20:18And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.Habakkuk 3:6He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.Revelation 20:11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.Psalms 18:7Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.Habakkuk 3:8Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?
Historical Context
At Sinai, "the whole mount quaked greatly" (Exodus 19:18) when God descended in fire. The people trembled with fear (Exodus 19:16, 20:18-21). This earthquake authenticated divine presence and authority. Elijah later experienced earthquake, wind, and fire at Sinai (1 Kings 19:11-12). Earthquakes accompanied various theophanies: giving the Law, Christ's crucifixion (Matthew 27:51), resurrection (Matthew 28:2), and will accompany His return (Zechariah 14:4-5, Revelation 16:18). Psalm 29 similarly describes God's voice shaking wilderness and stripping forests. Nature's violent response to divine presence underscores God's power and holiness.
Questions for Reflection
- What does creation's response (seas fleeing, mountains skipping) reveal about God's majesty and power?
- How should believers respond to God's presence—with fear, joy, worship, or all three?
- In what ways does creation currently "groan" (Romans 8:22) awaiting full redemption?
Analysis & Commentary
"The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs." The vivid imagery continues personifying creation: Heharim rakdu kh'eilim (the mountains skipped like rams). Rakad (skip/dance/leap) pictures energetic, joyful movement. Eilim (rams) are strong, vigorous adult male sheep. Geva'ot kiv'nei tzon (hills like lambs of the flock). Geva'ah (hill); keves (lamb); tzon (flock). Mountains and hills, normally immovable, skip and leap like playful sheep. This likely references Sinai theophany (Exodus 19:16-19), where the mountain quaked violently at God's descent. Some also see reference to the earth trembling when the ark returned or when God gave victories. The imagery conveys creation's joyful response to divine presence—nature worships through exuberant movement.