Psalm 78:15-17
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This verse highlights not just one, but likely two distinct miraculous water provisions from the rocks, emphasizing God's plentiful and abundant supply, drawing from "the deep"—the hidden reserves of the earth—to quench their thirst in a desolate place.
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. Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm is looking back at Israel's history, specifically their time in the wilderness after escaping Egypt, not as a simple timeline but to highlight God's consistent provision and the people's persistent unfaithfulness. The psalmist recounts God's miraculous acts, like splitting rocks to provide water, reminding the listeners of His faithfulness despite their ancestors' grumbling and disobedience. This reflection on past events is meant to teach and warn the current generation, urging them to remember God's wonders and avoid repeating their ancestors' mistakes.
Water in a parched desert? It sounds impossible. Yet, God's power isn't limited by our surroundings.
The psalmist is recalling the incredible faithfulness of God during the Israelites' desert wanderings. This wasn't just a minor convenience; it was a life-or-death miracle.
Two Moments, One God
The text hints at two specific instances where God provided water from rocks (Exodus 17 and Numbers 20). One happened early in their journey, and the other near the end. This shows God's consistent provision over forty years, even when the people repeatedly faltered.
Divine Power, Human Instrument
God used Moses as the instrument to strike the rocks. But the power didn't come from Moses or his rod; it came from God. This reminds us that God often works through ordinary people and means, yet the miraculous power is always His.
Where does water come from when there's no visible source? God taps into reservoirs beyond our understanding.
The phrase 'as from the great depths' paints a vivid picture of God's power. It suggests that He drew water from reservoirs hidden deep within the earth, like underground springs or even the vastness of the ocean itself (as some ancient traditions understood 'the deep').
Abundance Beyond Measure
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This wasn't just a trickle; it was 'abundantly.' The imagery suggests a limitless supply, more than enough to sustain a massive population and their livestock in the harshest environment imaginable. It speaks to God's boundless generosity.
Theological Echoes
Later writers saw this rock as a symbol of Christ. Just as the rock was struck and yielded life-giving water, Christ was struck for us, and from Him flows the living water of salvation and the Holy Spirit. The abundance from the rock points to the inexhaustible grace we receive through Him.
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.
chata' · Hebrew Verb
To miss the mark, violate God's law, or fall short of His standard of holiness. It denotes an act of disobedience that separates one from God's presence.
marah · Hebrew Verb
An act of active resistance or defiance against legitimate authority; in a biblical context, it refers to a wilful breach of the covenantal relationship with God.
Elyon · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
A title for God (El Elyon) emphasizing His supremacy, sovereignty, and distinctness above all creation and all other supposed deities.
c. 1440 BC
Israelites miraculously receive water at Rephidim
Shortly after leaving Egypt, the Israelites grumble for water at Rephidim. God instructs Moses to strike a rock, and water gushes forth, saving the people.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Israelites receive water at Kadesh
Near the end of their 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites again thirst for water at Kadesh. This time, God tells Moses to speak to the rock, which then yields water.
Post-Exodus Period
Composition of Psalm 78
This psalm, attributed to Asaph, reflects on Israel's history of divine faithfulness and human failure. Its references suggest it was composed after the division of the kingdoms, likely as a teaching tool.
This passage directly recounts the first instance of God miraculously providing water from a rock at Rephidim when the Israelites grumbled in the wilderness, echoing the event referenced in Psalm 78:15.
Numbers 20:1-13This biblical account details the second miraculous water provision from a rock (or cliff) at Kadesh, further illustrating the 'rocks' plural in Psalm 78:15 and highlighting God's continued provision despite Israel's sin.
1 Corinthians 10:4Paul explicitly states that the 'rock' was Christ, drawing a spiritual parallel between the physical water from the rock and the spiritual life and nourishment that flows from Christ through His atoning sacrifice.
Deuteronomy 8:15This verse describes the wilderness as a place where God provided water from 'rocky places' and 'the depths,' connecting God's provision in Psalm 78 to His broader narrative of guiding and sustaining His people.
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…
This verse highlights not just one, but likely two distinct miraculous water provisions from the rocks, emphasizing God's plentiful and abundant supply, drawing from "the deep"—the hidden reserves of the earth—to quench their thirst in a desolate place.
This psalm is looking back at Israel's history, specifically their time in the wilderness after escaping Egypt, not as a simple timeline but to highlight God's consistent provision and the people's persistent unfaithfulness. The psalmist recounts God's miraculous acts, like splitting rocks to provide water, reminding the listeners of His faithfulness despite their ancestors' grumbling and disobedience. This reflection on past events is meant to teach and warn the current generation, urging them to remember God's wonders and avoid repeating their ancestors' mistakes.
This psalm is looking back at Israel's history, specifically their time in the wilderness after escaping Egypt, not as a simple timeline but to highlight God's consistent provision and the people's persistent unfaithfulness. The psalmist recounts God's miraculous acts, like splitting rocks to provide water, reminding the listeners of His faithfulness despite their ancestors' grumbling and disobedience. This reflection on past events is meant to teach and warn the current generation, urging them to remember God's wonders and avoid repeating their ancestors' mistakes.
"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. Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling ag…" — This verse highlights not just one, but likely two distinct miraculous water provisions from the rocks, emphasizing God's plentiful and abundant supply, drawing from "the deep"—the hidden reserves of…
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Last reviewed October 2026
