Psalms 74:15
Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers.
Original Language Analysis
בָ֭קַעְתָּ
Thou didst cleave
H1234
בָ֭קַעְתָּ
Thou didst cleave
Strong's:
H1234
Word #:
2 of 8
to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open
מַעְיָ֣ן
the fountain
H4599
מַעְיָ֣ן
the fountain
Strong's:
H4599
Word #:
3 of 8
a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)
וָנָ֑חַל
and the flood
H5158
וָנָ֑חַל
and the flood
Strong's:
H5158
Word #:
4 of 8
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
ה֝וֹבַ֗שְׁתָּ
thou driedst up
H3001
ה֝וֹבַ֗שְׁתָּ
thou driedst up
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
6 of 8
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
Cross References
Numbers 20:11And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.Isaiah 48:21And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.Psalms 105:41He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.Joshua 2:10For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
Historical Context
Water miracles demonstrated God's supremacy over creation. Ancient Near Eastern myths depicted water deities (Yam, Tiamat) opposing creator gods. The Bible counters: Yahweh sovereignly commands all creation, including water. Jesus's water miracles (walking on water, calming storm, water to wine) demonstrated divine authority. Revelation 21:6 offers "living water" freely—ultimate satisfaction.
Questions for Reflection
- How do God's past miracles (biblical and personal) strengthen faith for present "impossible" situations?
- What "mighty rivers" (obstacles) need God's intervention in your life?
- How does Christ as the source of living water (John 4:10, 7:37-38) fulfill these images of God's provision?
Analysis & Commentary
The psalm celebrates God's power: "Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers" (Hebrew atah vaqata ma-yan va-nachal atah hovashta nahrot eytan). God "cleaves" (opens) fountains and "dries up" floods—sovereign control over water. This recalls Moses striking the rock (Exodus 17:6, Numbers 20:11) and Israel crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and Jordan (Joshua 3). The impossible becomes possible when God acts. Nature obeys its Creator.