“The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.”
The theophany vision continues: "The clouds poured out water; the skies sent out thunder; your arrows flashed on every side." The image of God as a divine warrior employing the elements of creation as weapons recalls storm theophany traditions and the language of psalm 76. Water, thunder, and lightning become manifestations of divine power and instruments through which God acts. This verse suggests that what humans experience as natural phenomena—storms, thunder, lightning—are actually expressions of God's presence and power. The vision of God employing creation itself in the divine purpose is both terrifying and reassuring: it establishes that all of reality obeys God.
Church Fathers on Psalms 77:17
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
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