תהלים, פרק קי״ד, פסוק ז׳

After a series of questions about the sudden, unusual behavior of the natural world, a dramatic answer finally arrives. The entirety of creation reveals its absolute submission to its Maker, and nature itself explains why it broke from its normal routine. The earth—speaking on behalf of the sea, the Jordan River, the mountains, and the hills—declares that its sudden movement and panic stem directly from the presence of God [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Commentators explore the exact nature of this reaction, offering three complementary perspectives. The primary approach among commentators is that the earth's response is tied to its very creation. The earth flees in awe of the Master who formed and brought it into existence [רש״י, מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another perspective views this reaction as an expression of intense trembling and fear, with the earth declaring that its shaking is a direct result of standing before the Lord [רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. A third view understands this as a profound expectation placed upon the earth, stating that it is only proper and just for the natural world to tremble before its Creator [אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם].

The profound shock experienced by nature is understood clearly when recognizing that the Creator is the absolute Master of His world, holding the power to change the laws of nature at will. When God, who redeemed Jacob from slavery with His great power, desires for His children to cross the sea and the river, it is only right that the waters split and flee before Him [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

An additional, deeper layer of meaning divides nature's response into two distinct answers, both rooted in ancient commitments made long ago. The first part of the response belongs to the sea. It remembers a specific condition God made with it during the creation of the world, at the exact moment the dry land was first revealed. Because of this, when the Creator of the earth revealed Himself, the sea panicked and fled. The second part of the response comes from the Jordan River. Long ago, when Jacob crossed the Jordan with his staff, the river became bound by a promise to split for his descendants in the future. Bound by this ancient pledge, the moment the God of Jacob appeared, the river was filled with awe and fled backward, even before the actual time the Israelites were scheduled to cross [אלשיך].