King James Version

What Does Psalms 114:6 Mean?

Psalms 114:6 in the King James Version says “Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs ? — study this verse from Psalms chapter 114 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs ?

Psalms 114:6 · KJV


Context

4

The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs .

5

What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?

6

Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs ?

7

Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;

8

Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs? The interrogation continues, now addressing the trembling at Mount Sinai when God descended to give the Law (Exodus 19:16-18). The verb raqad (רָקַד, to skip, dance, leap) depicts violent convulsions—not gentle hopping but the earth's terrified response to divine presence.

Mountains, symbols of permanence and stability, become like frightened rams (אֵילִים/eilim) and hills like lambs (בְּנֵי־צֹאן/benei-tson, literally 'sons of the flock'). This agricultural imagery, familiar to shepherds, depicts the incongruous: that which should be immovable becomes like panicked livestock. The comparison reduces earth's mightiest features to helpless creatures fleeing a predator.

The poetic parallelism (mountains/hills, rams/lambs) emphasizes totality—all creation, from greatest to least, trembles before Yahweh. This anticipates eschatological imagery where mountains melt like wax before the Lord (Psalm 97:5; Micah 1:4) and every knee bows (Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:11).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Sinai theophany (Exodus 19) was Israel's most terrifying encounter with God's holiness. Thunder, lightning, thick cloud, trumpet blast, fire, and earthquake accompanied God's descent. The mountain trembled violently (Exodus 19:18). Even Moses said, 'I exceedingly fear and quake' (Hebrews 12:21). This event established the covenant and revealed God's character—holy, powerful, yet graciously condescending to dwell among His people. The Hallel psalms celebrated not just political deliverance but covenant relationship with the Creator who makes mountains skip.

Reflection Questions

  1. If mountains skip like lambs before God's presence, how should this affect your approach to worship?
  2. What does creation's involuntary response to God teach about the futility of human resistance to His will?
  3. How does the playful imagery (skipping like lambs) combine with the terrifying reality (mountains convulsing) to reveal both God's power and His approachability through covenant?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
הֶֽ֭הָרִים1 of 6

Ye mountains

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

תִּרְקְד֣וּ2 of 6

that ye skipped

H7540

properly, to stamp, i.e., to spring about (wildly or for joy)

כְאֵילִ֑ים3 of 6

like rams

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

גְּ֝בָע֗וֹת4 of 6

and ye little hills

H1389

a hillock

כִּבְנֵי5 of 6

like lambs

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

צֹֽאן׃6 of 6
H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 114:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 114:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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