Psalms 78:15-17
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)
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This verse highlights not just one, but likely two instances where God miraculously provided water from rocks, emphasizing the immense abundance, "as from the deep," suggesting a reservoir far beyond what the rock itself contained. It points to God's sustained and overwhelming provision for His people, even in the harshest environments.
This psalm recounts Israel's history, focusing on God's faithfulness and their persistent unfaithfulness, especially during their wilderness wanderings. The psalmist pulls together distinct events, not necessarily in chronological order, to highlight this pattern of God's provision and Israel's grumbling. These verses specifically recall the miraculous provision of water from rocks, a reminder of God's powerful intervention when the people were desperately thirsty and complaining.
Imagine facing impossible thirst in a scorching desert, with no hope in sight. Then, water bursts forth from solid rock! This psalm reminds us that God's provision often happens against a backdrop of human faithlessness.
Psalm 78 isn't just a history lesson; it's a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness contrasted with Israel's persistent rebellion.
A Pattern of Mercy and Sin
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The text speaks of water coming 'as from the deep.' What does this imagery tell us about the nature and source of God's provision?
The phrase 'as from the deep' paints a vivid picture of God's boundless capacity to provide.
Beyond Human Limits
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.
This verse recalls two distinct, yet similar, miracles of God providing water from rocks during Israel's wilderness journey, highlighting His consistent provision despite the people's repeated lack of faith.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites Leave Egypt
Following God's deliverance from slavery, the Israelites began their journey through the wilderness towards the Promised Land.
c. 1446 BC
Water from the Rock at Rephidim
The people grumbled for water, and God commanded Moses to strike a rock in Rephidim, which then miraculously provided abundant drink.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Water from the Rock at Kadesh
Near the end of their 40 years of wandering, the Israelites again complained of thirst. This time, God instructed Moses to speak to a rock, and water flowed out.
c. 1406 BC
Near End of Wilderness Wandering
Israel was on the border of the Promised Land after decades of trials, yet their faith continued to be tested.
This passage directly recounts the first miraculous event where God provided water from a rock in the wilderness at Rephidim, mirroring the action described in Psalm 78.
Numbers 20:1-13This scripture details the second instance of God providing water from a rock (or cliff), this time at Kadesh, which the psalm also alludes to by using the plural 'rocks'.
1 Corinthians 10:4The Apostle Paul explicitly states that the 'rock' in the wilderness was Christ, connecting this physical miracle to Jesus' spiritual provision for His people.
Deuteronomy 8:15This verse speaks of God leading Israel through the wilderness and bringing water out of the rock for them, emphasizing God's consistent care and provision throughout their journey.
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 instances where God miraculously provided water from rocks, emphasizing the immense abundance, "as from the deep," suggesting a reservoir far beyond what the rock itself contained. It points to God's sustained and overwhelming provision for His people, even in the harshest environments.
This psalm recounts Israel's history, focusing on God's faithfulness and their persistent unfaithfulness, especially during their wilderness wanderings. The psalmist pulls together distinct events, not necessarily in chronological order, to highlight this pattern of God's provision and Israel's grumbling. These verses specifically recall the miraculous provision of water from rocks, a reminder of God's powerful intervention when the people were desperately thirsty and complaining.
This psalm recounts Israel's history, focusing on God's faithfulness and their persistent unfaithfulness, especially during their wilderness wanderings. The psalmist pulls together distinct events, not necessarily in chronological order, to highlight this pattern of God's provision and Israel's grumbling. These verses specifically recall the miraculous provision of water from rocks, a reminder of God's powerful intervention when the people were desperately thirsty and complaining.
"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 instances where God miraculously provided water from rocks, emphasizing the immense abundance, "as from the deep," suggesting a reservoir far beyond…
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