Psalms 77:19

Authorized King James Version

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Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.

Original Language Analysis

בַּיָּ֤ם is in the sea H3220
בַּיָּ֤ם is in the sea
Strong's: H3220
Word #: 1 of 8
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
דַּרְכֶּ֗ךָ Thy way H1870
דַּרְכֶּ֗ךָ Thy way
Strong's: H1870
Word #: 2 of 8
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וּֽ֭שְׁבִֽילְיךָ and thy path H7635
וּֽ֭שְׁבִֽילְיךָ and thy path
Strong's: H7635
Word #: 3 of 8
a track or passage-way (as if flowing along)
בְּמַ֣יִם waters H4325
בְּמַ֣יִם waters
Strong's: H4325
Word #: 4 of 8
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
רַבִּ֑ים in the great H7227
רַבִּ֑ים in the great
Strong's: H7227
Word #: 5 of 8
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וְ֝עִקְּבוֹתֶ֗יךָ and thy footsteps H6119
וְ֝עִקְּבוֹתֶ֗יךָ and thy footsteps
Strong's: H6119
Word #: 6 of 8
a heel (as protuberant); hence, a track; figuratively, the rear (of an army)
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 7 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נֹדָֽעוּ׃ are not known H3045
נֹדָֽעוּ׃ are not known
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 8 of 8
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

Analysis & Commentary

Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. The psalm's closing section (verses 16-20) recalls the exodus, and this verse captures both the glory and the mystery of God's ways. Having moved from despair to memory, Asaph now contemplates divine transcendence.

"Thy way is in the sea" (bayam darkekha, בַּיָּם דַּרְכֶּךָ) recalls the Red Sea crossing. God's "way" or path led directly through the sea—an impossible route made possible by divine power. The Hebrew derek denotes a road, path, or journey. God's road ran where no road could naturally exist.

"Thy path in the great waters" (ushvilkha bemayim rabbim, וּשְׁבִיילְךָ בְּמַיִם רַבִּים) parallels and intensifies the first clause. Shevil is a narrower term for path or track. The "great waters" (mayim rabbim) could refer to the sea or to primordial chaos waters that God conquered in creation. Either way, God walks where no creature can.

"Thy footsteps are not known" (ve'iqvotekha lo noda'u, וְעִקְּבוֹתֶיךָ לֹא נֹדָעוּ) adds profound mystery. Iqvot means footprints, traces, tracks. Though God led Israel through the sea, no footprints remained to trace His path. The waters closed, leaving no visible evidence of the route taken. This speaks to divine transcendence: God's ways can be experienced and trusted without being fully comprehended or mapped.

Historical Context

The exodus dominated Israel's memory as the paradigmatic act of divine salvation. When prophets promised future deliverance, they often used exodus imagery (Isaiah 43:16-19, 51:9-10). When psalmists sought to encourage faith, they recalled what God did at the sea.

The image of God walking through the sea connected to ancient Near Eastern cosmology, where the sea represented chaos and cosmic opposition. By walking through the sea, God demonstrated sovereignty over chaotic forces. The Babylonian creation myth (Enuma Elish) depicted Marduk defeating the sea goddess Tiamat. Israel's theology was more radical: Yahweh didn't merely defeat the sea but walked through it, using it as His path.

The "hidden footsteps" theme has profound theological implications. God's ways are often inscrutable (Romans 11:33). We trust not because we understand fully but because we remember what God has done. Mystery is not the absence of God but the depth of His presence beyond our comprehension.

Questions for Reflection