◄ Psalm 77:16 ►
The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken.
Study Bible
The waters saw You, O God;
This phrase evokes the imagery of God's presence being so powerful that even the natural elements respond to Him. In biblical context, water often symbolizes chaos and disorder, as seen in Genesis 1:2 where the Spirit of God hovers over the waters. The personification of waters "seeing" God suggests His sovereignty over creation. This can be connected to the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14, where the waters obeyed God's command, demonstrating His authority and power.

the waters saw You and swirled;
The repetition emphasizes the reaction of the waters to God's presence. The swirling of waters can be seen as a metaphor for the turmoil and upheaval that occurs when God intervenes in the natural order. This imagery is reminiscent of the Flood narrative in Genesis 7, where the waters covered the earth as a form of divine judgment. It also foreshadows the calming of the storm by Jesus in Mark 4:39, where He demonstrates His divine authority over nature.

even the depths were shaken.
The "depths" refer to the deep waters or the sea, often seen as a place of mystery and danger in ancient Near Eastern culture. The shaking of the depths signifies a profound disturbance, indicating that God's presence affects even the most hidden and powerful parts of creation. This can be linked to Jonah 2:3, where the prophet describes being in the depths of the sea, and to Revelation 21:1, where the sea is no more, symbolizing the removal of chaos in the new creation. The shaking also points to the eschatological shaking of the heavens and the earth in Hebrews 12:26-27, highlighting God's ultimate control over all things.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The central figure in this verse, whose presence and power are acknowledged by the natural world.

2. The Waters
Symbolic of chaos and disorder, often representing the sea or large bodies of water in biblical literature.

3. The Depths
Refers to the deep parts of the sea, emphasizing the profound impact of God's presence.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Creation
The verse highlights God's supreme authority over the natural world. Just as the waters respond to His presence, we are reminded of His control over all aspects of life.

The Power of God's Presence
The imagery of waters swirling and depths shaking illustrates the transformative power of God's presence. In our lives, His presence can bring order to chaos and peace to turmoil.

Faith in God's Authority
Recognizing God's power over creation encourages us to trust Him in our personal storms. Just as the waters obeyed, we too should submit to His will, knowing He is in control.

Symbolism of Water in Scripture
Water often symbolizes chaos, danger, and the unknown. God's command over the waters reassures us of His ability to bring peace and stability to our fears and uncertainties.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of waters and depths in Psalm 77:16 enhance your understanding of God's power?

2. In what ways can you relate the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14 to the message of Psalm 77:16?

3. How does recognizing God's sovereignty over creation impact your daily life and decision-making?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced chaos or uncertainty. How can Psalm 77:16 encourage you to trust in God's presence during such times?

5. How does the calming of the storm in Mark 4:39 parallel the message of God's authority in Psalm 77:16, and how can this inspire your faith journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 14
The parting of the Red Sea, where the waters obey God's command, demonstrating His power over creation.

Psalm 93:3-4
The psalmist speaks of the mighty waters lifting their voice, yet God is mightier, reinforcing His sovereignty over nature.

Job 38:8-11
God questions Job about His control over the sea, illustrating His authority over the natural world.

Mark 4:39
Jesus calms the storm, showing His divine authority over the elements, echoing the power of God over the waters.
Sermons
From Darkness to DawnS. Conway Psalm 77:1-20
God's Ear Open to the Cry of the NeedyJ. C. Ryle.Psalm 77:1-20
The Faculty of Human ThoughtHomilistPsalm 77:1-20
People
Aaron, Asaph, Jacob, Jeduthun, Joseph, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Afraid, Anguish, Convulsed, Deep, Deeps, Depths, Disturbed, Fear, O, Pain, Trembled, Troubled, Waters, Writhed, Yea
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 77:16

     4045   chaos

Psalm 77:10-20

     8724   doubt, dealing with

Psalm 77:14-20

     1315   God, as redeemer

Psalm 77:16-18

     4272   sky

Library
June the Eleventh the Path Across the Sea
"Thy way is in the sea." --PSALM lxxvii. 11-20. And the sea appears to be the most trackless of worlds! The sea is the very symbol of mystery, the grim dwelling-house of innumerable things that have been lost. But God's way moves here and there across this trackless wild. God is never lost among our mysteries. He knows his way about. When we are bewildered He sees the road, and He sees the end even from the beginning. Even the sea, in every part of it, is the Lord's highway. When His way is in …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

A Question for a Questioner
The question which makes our text is meant to end other questions. You may carry truth as far as ever you like, and it will always be truth. Truth is like those crystals which, when split up into the smallest possible fragments, still retain their natural form. You may break truth in pieces, you may do what you like with it, and it is truth throughout; but error is diverse within itself, and evermore bears its own death within itself. You can see its falsehood even in its own light. Bring it forward, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 31: 1885

Ere Another Step I Take
"I commune with mine own heart." -- Psalm 77:6. Ere another step I take In my wilful wandering way, Still I have a choice to make -- Shall I alter while I may? Patient love is waiting still In my Savior's heart for me; Love to bend my froward will, Love to make me really free. Far from Him, what can I gain? Want and shame, and bondage vile -- Better far to bear the pain Of His yoke a little while. Soon I might its comfort find; Soon my thankful heart might cry, "In Thy meek obedient mind, As …
Miss A. L. Waring—Hymns and Meditations

Despondency Self-Corrected. --Ps. Lxxvii.
Despondency Self-Corrected.--Ps. lxxvii. In time of tribulation, Hear, Lord, my feeble cries, With humble supplication To Thee my spirit flies: My heart with grief is breaking, Scarce can my voice complain; Mine eyes, with tears kept waking, Still watch and weep in vain. The days of old, in vision, Bring vanish'd bliss to view; The years of lost fruition Their joys in pangs renew; Remember'd songs of gladness, Through night's lone silence brought, Strike notes of deeper sadness, And stir desponding …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

A Path in the Sea
'And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: 20. And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. 21. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

How the Whole and the Sick are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 13.) Differently to be admonished are the whole and the sick. For the whole are to be admonished that they employ the health of the body to the health of the soul: lest, if they turn the grace of granted soundness to the use of iniquity, they be made worse by the gift, and afterwards merit the severer punishments, in that they fear not now to use amiss the more bountiful gifts of God. The whole are to be admonished that they despise not the opportunity of winning health for ever. …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Letter iii (A. D. 1131) to Bruno, Archbishop Elect of Cologne
To Bruno, [8] Archbishop Elect of Cologne Bernard having been consulted by Bruno as to whether he ought to accept the See of Cologne, so replies as to hold him in suspense, and render him in awe of the burden of so great a charge. He advises him to seek counsel of God in prayer. 1. You seek counsel from me, most illustrious Bruno, as to whether you ought to accept the Episcopate, to which it is desired to advance you. What mortal can presume to decide this for you? If God calls you, who can dare …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Letter Xlii to the Illustrious Youth, Geoffrey De Perrone, and his Comrades.
To the Illustrious Youth, Geoffrey de Perrone, and His Comrades. He pronounces the youths noble because they purpose to lead the religious life, and exhorts them to perseverance. To his beloved sons, Geoffrey and his companions, Bernard, called Abbot of Clairvaux, wishes the spirit of counsel and strength. 1. The news of your conversion that has got abroad is edifying many, nay, is making glad the whole Church of God, so that The heavens rejoice and the earth is glad (Ps. xcvi. 11), and every tongue …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Joy
'The fruit of the Spirit is joy.' Gal 5:52. The third fruit of justification, adoption, and sanctification, is joy in the Holy Ghost. Joy is setting the soul upon the top of a pinnacle - it is the cream of the sincere milk of the word. Spiritual joy is a sweet and delightful passion, arising from the apprehension and feeling of some good, whereby the soul is supported under present troubles, and fenced against future fear. I. It is a delightful passion. It is contrary to sorrow, which is a perturbation …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Covenant Duties.
It is here proposed to show, that every incumbent duty ought, in suitable circumstances, to be engaged to in the exercise of Covenanting. The law and covenant of God are co-extensive; and what is enjoined in the one is confirmed in the other. The proposals of that Covenant include its promises and its duties. The former are made and fulfilled by its glorious Originator; the latter are enjoined and obligatory on man. The duties of that Covenant are God's law; and the demands of the law are all made …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Early Life of Malachy. Having Been Admitted to Holy Orders He Associates with Malchus
[Sidenote: 1095.] 1. Our Malachy, born in Ireland,[134] of a barbarous people, was brought up there, and there received his education. But from the barbarism of his birth he contracted no taint, any more than the fishes of the sea from their native salt. But how delightful to reflect, that uncultured barbarism should have produced for us so worthy[135] a fellow-citizen with the saints and member of the household of God.[136] He who brings honey out of the rock and oil out of the flinty rock[137] …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Of Faith. The Definition of It. Its Peculiar Properties.
1. A brief recapitulation of the leading points of the whole discussion. The scope of this chapter. The necessity of the doctrine of faith. This doctrine obscured by the Schoolmen, who make God the object of faith, without referring to Christ. The Schoolmen refuted by various passages. 2. The dogma of implicit faith refuted. It destroys faith, which consists in a knowledge of the divine will. What this will is, and how necessary the knowledge of it. 3. Many things are and will continue to be implicitly …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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