Psalms 78:15-16
He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights God’s boundless provision, not just by splitting rocks, but by drawing water "as from the great depths," suggesting He tapped into hidden, seemingly inexhaustible reservoirs beyond what was visible. This points to God's power to provide abundantly and miraculously, even from the most unlikely places.
This psalm recounts the history of Israel’s journey, focusing on their repeated disobedience despite God's consistent provision and protection. The psalmist emphasizes God's miraculous acts, such as providing water from rocks in the wilderness, contrasting them with Israel's persistent unfaithfulness and forgetfulness. This verse is part of a section detailing God’s provision during the wilderness wanderings, immediately followed by descriptions of Israel's sinful responses.
Ever wonder if God's miracles are always the same? The Psalms point to a repeated, powerful demonstration of His care.
This verse, Psalm 78:15, immediately brings to mind two pivotal moments in Israel's wilderness journey where God provided water.
Two Rocks, One God
The psalm uses the plural, 'rocks,' suggesting it's referencing both of these distinct, miraculous events. God wasn't just a one-hit wonder; He repeated His provision, showing His faithfulness across different circumstances and even through different means (striking vs. speaking).
"As from the Deep"
The phrase 'as from the deep' emphasizes the sheer abundance of the water. It wasn't a trickle, but a deluge, as if God tapped into hidden, vast reservoirs within the earth. This imagery highlights the supernatural nature of the provision – far beyond what any natural spring could offer.
Why does the Bible spend so much time on ancient history? Because the past holds profound lessons for how we live now.
Psalm 78 is a 'Maschil,' a teaching psalm. Its purpose isn't just to recount history but to use Israel's past as a 'mirror' and 'parable' for future generations.
Lessons from the Long Road
Understand the original words
midbar · Hebrew Noun
The barren, uncultivated, and desolate region where the Israelites wandered. It functions in Scripture as a place of testing, dependency on God, and refinement of faith.
tehom · Hebrew Noun
The vast, subterranean reservoirs of water in the ancient Near Eastern cosmology. When associated with God’s provision, it represents the immeasurable, life-sustaining resources of the Creator that are available even in the driest conditions.
This verse likely alludes to two distinct instances of God providing water from rocks in the wilderness, highlighting His consistent provision even amidst Israel's repeated unfaithfulness.
c. 1446 BC
Water from the Rock at Rephidim
During their early days of wandering, the Israelites grumbled for water at Rephidim. God instructed Moses to strike a rock, from which water miraculously flowed, sustaining the people.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Water from the Rock at Kadesh
Near the end of their 40 years of wandering, the Israelites again complained about lack of water at Kadesh. This time, God told Moses to speak to a rock, which then yielded water abundantly.
after 1406 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
The psalm concludes by referencing the establishment of David's kingship, suggesting the psalm was composed or compiled during or after his reign, looking back on Israel's history.
after 931 BC
Kingdoms Divided
References to the prominence of Ephraim (the leading tribe of the northern kingdom) in faithlessness and its eventual rejection in favor of Judah may point to a time after the split of the united monarchy.
This passage directly recounts the first miraculous provision of water from a rock at Rephidim, showing God's power to provide in times of desperate need.
Numbers 20:1-13This narrative describes the second instance of water from a rock (or cliff), highlighting God's continued faithfulness even when His people faltered in their obedience.
1 Corinthians 10:4The Apostle Paul explicitly identifies the rock that followed Israel in the wilderness as Christ, offering a profound spiritual interpretation of this event.
Deuteronomy 8:15This verse describes the wilderness as a place where God led the people and provided water from 'rocky places,' underscoring the theme of divine provision in arid lands.
Isaiah 48:21This prophetic passage echoes the miracle, stating that God led His people through the desert and 'made waters to flow from the rock for them,' connecting the historical event to future redemption.
cambridgePsalms 78:15: "He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths."
15, 16 . He clave rocks in the wilderness, And gave them drink as out of the depths abundantly: And he brought forth streams out of a cliff. Two different words are used, with reference to the two occasions upon which the Israelites were miraculously supplied with water: first in Rephidim at the beginning of their journey when Moses was commanded to smite ‘the rock’ ( Exodus 17:6 ), and secondl…
expositorsPsalms 78:1-72: "Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth."
Psalm 78:1-72 THIS psalm is closely related to Psalm 105:1-45 ; Psalm 106:1-48 ; Psalm 107:1-43 . Like them, it treats the history of Israel, and especially the Exodus and wilderness wanderings, for purposes of edification, rebuke, and encouragement. The past is held up as a mirror to the present generation. It has been one long succession of miracles of mercy met by equally continu…
The verse highlights God’s boundless provision, not just by splitting rocks, but by drawing water "as from the great depths," suggesting He tapped into hidden, seemingly inexhaustible reservoirs beyond what was visible. This points to God's power to provide abundantly and miraculously, even from the most unlikely places.
This psalm recounts the history of Israel’s journey, focusing on their repeated disobedience despite God's consistent provision and protection. The psalmist emphasizes God's miraculous acts, such as providing water from rocks in the wilderness, contrasting them with Israel's persistent unfaithfulness and forgetfulness. This verse is part of a section detailing God’s provision during the wilderness wanderings, immediately followed by descriptions of Israel's sinful responses.
This psalm recounts the history of Israel’s journey, focusing on their repeated disobedience despite God's consistent provision and protection. The psalmist emphasizes God's miraculous acts, such as providing water from rocks in the wilderness, contrasting them with Israel's persistent unfaithfulness and forgetfulness. This verse is part of a section detailing God’s provision during the wilderness wanderings, immediately followed by descriptions of Israel's sinful responses.
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"He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers." — The verse highlights God’s boundless provision, not just by splitting rocks, but by drawing water "as from the great depths," suggesting He tapped into hidden, seemingly inexhaustible reservoirs beyo…
