Psalm 114

[debi b]

The Hallel Psalms
Psalms 113-118 form the Hallel, the Hymns of Praise, which were to be sung at the three great Festivals of Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Pentecost), and Sukkot (Tabernacles), as well as at Chanukah (the Festival of the Dedication) and at Rosh Chodesh (New Moon).

These chapters are expressions of joy and faith in G-d, and of gratitude for salvation from our enemies. They were incorporated into the Book of Psalms by King David, and they were singled out for inclusion in Hallel because they contain the following fundamental themes of the faith of Judaism: the Exodus, the Giving of the Torah by G-d at Sinai, the future Resurrection of the Dead, and the Coming of the Messiah.

The Hallel recited during the Passover Meal
The overarching theme of Passover is redemption. The Hallel shows us both the past redemption and the future redemption. Thus, before the meal, we recite those parts of Hallel which pertain to the past (to historical memory of the redemption from Egypt Psalms 113 and 114), and after the meal we recite those parts of the Hallel (Psalms 115-18) which pertain to the future and ends with the wish "Next year in Jerusalem!".

New American Bible (NAB)
1 When Israel came forth from Egypt, the house of Jacob from an alien people,
Metsudah Tehillim (KTAV Publishing)
1 When Israel went out of Egypt, the House of Jacob from a people of an alien language.

alien people/alien language - is translating a Hebrew word which basically means ones speaking unintelligibly. Clearly they are referring to the language spoken in Egypt.

[debi b]

NAB
2 Judah became God's holy place, Israel, God's domain.

Metsudah Tehillim (KTAV Publishing)
2 Judah became His holy nation, Israel, His dominion.
God's holy place/His holy nation - if you think about the different way that was expressed it leaves an impression......both are translating Avdql it is expressing a holy or consecrated thing (in this case people) that belong to Adonai.

[debi b]

NAB
3 The sea beheld and fled; the Jordan turned back.
Metsudah Tehillim (KTAV Publishing)
3 The sea saw and fled, the Jordan turned back.
NAB
4 The mountains skipped like rams; the hills, like lambs of the flock.
Metsudah Tehillim (KTAV Publishing)
4 The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like young sheep.
NAB
5 Why was it, sea, that you fled? Jordan, that you turned back?
Metsudah Tehillim (KTAV Publishing)
5 What bothers you, sea, that you flee; Jordan, that you turn backwards?
NAB
6 You mountains, that you skipped like rams? You hills, like lambs of the flock?
Metsudah Tehillim (KTAV Publishing)
6 Mountains, that you skip like rams; hills, like young sheep?

Miracles of nature bore witness to Adonai's presence in Israel's midst.
The Sea of Reeds parted, the waters of the Jordan did the same thing when Israel crossed through (Joshua 3), when Torah was given at Sinai mountains shook.

[debi b]

NAB
7 Tremble, earth, before the Lord, before the God of Jacob,
Metsudah Tehillim (KTAV Publishing)
7 Tremble, earth, before the Master, from before the G-d of Jacob,
NAB
8 Who turned rock into pools of water, stone into flowing springs.
Metsudah Tehillim (KTAV Publishing)
8 Who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flintstone into a fountain of water.

We have recorded Adonai giving water from a rock in Shemot (Exodus) 17. But I got to thinking about another reference to water in Isaiah.

In Isa 38 we have recorded when Hezekiah got sick, he was 39 years old (the northern kingdom was deported in the 9th year of his reign, so he would have been 34 when they were deported). After Hezekiah recovered the king of Babylon sent gifts and Hezekiah showed everything (including things in the Temple). In response to this Isaiah confronts him.

Isa 39:6 Behold, the days will come, that all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left, said the Lord.
Now the northern kingdom had been deported just 5 years earlier so this would be very recent memories for him. The proclamation that they would be deported would have had a stronger impact as a result (I would think anyway). In Isa 40 is the beginning of the "comfort" and very familiar passages such as "A voice cries, Prepare in the wilderness the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God" and "But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint".

Chapter 41 continues the same thought of comfort:
41:18 I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

Water in dry place is a miracle indeed :)