Psalm 114:1

from a people of strange language to those that speak the language of Canaan, a pure language, in which they can understand one another when they converse together, either about experience or doctrine; and the manner of their coming out is much the same, by strength of hand, by the power of divine grace, yet willingly and cheerfully, with great riches, the riches of grace, and a title to the riches of glory, and with much spiritual strength; for though weak in themselves, yet they are strong in Christ. --John Gill.

Verse 1. The house of Jacob. The Israelites though they were a great number when they went forth from Egypt, nevertheless formed one house or family; thus the church at the present time dispersed throughout the whole world is called one house: 1 Timothy 3:15 Hebrews 3:6 ; 1 Peter 2:5 : and that because of one faith, one God, one Father, one baptism, Ephesians 4:5 . -- Marloratus.

Verse 1. A people of strange language. When we find in verse 1, as in 81:5 , Egypt spoken of as a land where the people were of a "strange tongue," it seems likely that the reference is to their being a people who could not speak of God, as Israel could; even as Zephaniah 3:9 tells of the "pure lip," viz., the lip that calls on the name of the Lord. --Andrew A. Bonar.

Verse 1. A people of strange tongue. Mant translates this "tyrant land," and has the following note: The Hebrew word here rendered "tyrant," has been supposed to signify "barbarous"; that is, "using a barbarous or foreign language or pronunciation." But, says Parkhurst, the word seems rather to refer to the "violence" of the Egyptians towards the Israelites, or "the barbarity of their behaviour," which was more to the Psalmist's purpose than "the barbarity of their language"; even supposing the reality of the latter in the time of Moses. The epithet "barbarous" would leave the same ambiguity as Parkhurst supposes to belong to the text. Bishop Horsley renders "a tyrannical people."

Verse 1. A people of strange language. The strange language is evidently an annoyance. Israel could not feel at home in Egypt. --Justus Olshausen.

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 1-2. The time of first delivery from sin a season notable for the peculiar presence of God.

Verse 1-2. The Lord was to his people --

Verse 1,. 7. "The house of Jacob" and "the God of Jacob," the relation between the two.