Psalms 77:16

Authorized King James Version

PDF

The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.

Original Language Analysis

רָא֣וּךָ saw H7200
רָא֣וּךָ saw
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 1 of 9
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
מַּ֣יִם The waters H4325
מַּ֣יִם The waters
Strong's: H4325
Word #: 2 of 9
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
אֱֽלֹהִ֗ים thee O God H430
אֱֽלֹהִ֗ים thee O God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 3 of 9
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
רָא֣וּךָ saw H7200
רָא֣וּךָ saw
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 4 of 9
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
מַּ֣יִם The waters H4325
מַּ֣יִם The waters
Strong's: H4325
Word #: 5 of 9
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
יָחִ֑ילוּ thee they were afraid H2342
יָחִ֑ילוּ thee they were afraid
Strong's: H2342
Word #: 6 of 9
properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e., (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; fi
אַ֝֗ף H637
אַ֝֗ף
Strong's: H637
Word #: 7 of 9
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
יִרְגְּז֥וּ also were troubled H7264
יִרְגְּז֥וּ also were troubled
Strong's: H7264
Word #: 8 of 9
to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)
תְהֹמֽוֹת׃ the depths H8415
תְהֹמֽוֹת׃ the depths
Strong's: H8415
Word #: 9 of 9
an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean watersupply)

Analysis & Commentary

The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid (רָאוּךָ מַּיִם אֱלֹהִים רָאוּךָ מַּיִם יָחִילוּ). The repetition "the waters saw thee... saw thee" emphasizes intensity. Ra'ah (רָאָה) is visual perception—the waters literally beheld God's presence. Chil (חִיל) means to writhe, tremble, or be in anguish—personifying the waters as sentient creatures terrified by divine presence. This recalls the Red Sea crossing and perhaps also creation itself (Genesis 1:2, Job 38:8-11).

The depths also were troubled (אַף־יִרְגְּזוּ תְהֹמוֹת). Tehom (תְּהוֹם) is the primordial deep, the chaotic waters of pre-creation (Genesis 1:2). Ragaz (רָגַז) means to quake, shake, or be disturbed. God's presence causes even primal chaos to convulse in terror. This cosmic imagery portrays the exodus as new creation—God conquering chaos to bring His people into ordered existence.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern cosmology viewed the sea as symbol of chaos and divine opposition (Babylonian Tiamat, Canaanite Yam). Israel's theology was radically different: Yahweh created the waters (Genesis 1:6-10), controls them (Job 38:8-11), and walks through them (Exodus 14:21-22). The Red Sea crossing demonstrated Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over cosmic forces. The New Testament applies this to Christ rebuking the sea (Mark 4:39) and walking on water (Matthew 14:25-27).

Questions for Reflection