“The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.”
The psalm rises to its theological climax with a vision of cosmic theophany: "When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; the very deep trembled." The repetition emphasizes the cosmic dimensions of God's power; the waters—a symbol of chaos in ancient Near Eastern mythology—respond to God's presence with fear. This verse recalls the exodus narrative, particularly the Red Sea crossing, where the waters themselves became agents of divine salvation. The idea that creation itself responds to God's presence reinforces the claim that God's sovereignty extends to the cosmic order.
Church Fathers on Psalms 77:16
1. This Psalm's lintel is thus inscribed: “Unto the end, for Idithun, a Psalm to Asaph himself.” What “Unto the end” is, you know. Idithun is interpreted “leaping over those men,” Asaph is interpreted “a congregation.” Here therefore there is speaking “a congregation that leaps over,” in order that it may reach the End, which is Christ Jesus.. .. 2. “With my voice,” he says, “to the Lord I have cried” Psalm 76:1. But many men cry unto the Lord for the sake of getting riches…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!