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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 77:16 The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/77-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/19_Psa_077_016.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 77:16 - In The Day of Trouble I Sought the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/77-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/77-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/77.htm">Chapter 77</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/77-15.htm" title="Psalm 77:15">◄</a> Psalm 77:16 <a href="/psalms/77-17.htm" title="Psalm 77:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/77.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/77.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/77.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When the Red Sea saw you, O God, its waters looked and trembled! The sea quaked to its very depths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/77.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/77.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/77.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/77.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The waters saw You, O God; The waters saw You, they were afraid; The depths also trembled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/77.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The waters saw You, God; The waters saw You, they were in anguish; The ocean depths also trembled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/77.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The waters saw You, O God; The waters saw You, they were in anguish; The deeps also trembled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/77.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The waters saw Thee, O God; The waters saw Thee, they were in anguish; The deeps also trembled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/77.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The waters saw You, O God; The waters saw You, they were in anguish; The deeps also trembled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/77.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The waters [of the Red Sea] saw You, O God; The waters saw You, they were in anguish; The deeps also trembled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/77.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The water saw you, God. The water saw you; it trembled. Even the depths shook.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/77.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The waters saw You, God. The waters saw You; they trembled. Even the depths shook. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/77.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The waters saw thee, O God; The waters saw thee, they were afraid: The depths also trembled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/77.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The ocean looked at you, God, and it trembled deep down with fear. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/77.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The waters saw thee, O God; the waters saw thee, they were afraid: the depths also trembled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/77.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The water saw you, O God. The water saw you and shook. Even the depths of the sea trembled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/77.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When the waters saw you, O God, they were afraid, and the depths of the sea trembled. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/77.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The waters saw you, God; the waters saw you and writhed. Indeed, the depths of the sea quaked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/77.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/77.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and trembled. Yes, the depths of the sea shook with fear. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/77.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The waters saw you, God. The waters saw you, and they writhed. The depths also convulsed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/77.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were disturbed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/77.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The waters saw you, God. The waters saw you, and they writhed. The depths also convulsed. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/77.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The waters have seen You, O God, "" The waters have seen You, "" They are afraid—also depths are troubled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/77.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The waters have seen Thee, O God, The waters have seen Thee, They are afraid -- also depths are troubled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/77.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they will tremble, also the depths will be moved.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/77.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee: and they were afraid, and the depths were troubled. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/77.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 76:17>The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you, and they were afraid, and the depths were stirred up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/77.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The waters saw you, God; the waters saw you and lashed about, even the deeps of the sea trembled. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/77.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; the very deep trembled.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/77.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid; the depths also were troubled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/77.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The waters saw you, oh, God, the waters saw you and they feared and even the depths shook!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/77.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The waters saw Thee, O God; The waters saw Thee, they were in pain; The depths also trembled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/77.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee, and feared; and the depths were troubled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/77-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=9427" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/77.htm">In The Day of Trouble I Sought the LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>With power You redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ma·yim (N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">The waters</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’ū·ḵā (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 2ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">saw You,</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕlō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">O God;</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ma·yim (N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">the waters</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’ū·ḵā (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 2ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">saw You</a> <a href="/hebrew/2342.htm" title="2342: yā·ḥî·lū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- Or chiyl; a primitive root; properly, to twist or whirl, i.e. to dance, to writhe in pain or fear; figuratively, to wait, to pervert.">and swirled;</a> <a href="/hebrew/637.htm" title="637: ’ap̄ (Conj) -- Also, yea. A primitive particle; meaning accession; also or yea; adversatively though.">even</a> <a href="/hebrew/8415.htm" title="8415: ṯə·hō·mō·wṯ (N-cp) -- Deep, sea, abyss. Or thom; from huwm; an abyss, especially the deep.">the depths</a> <a href="/hebrew/7264.htm" title="7264: yir·gə·zū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To be agitated, quiver, quake, be excited, perturbed. A primitive root; to quiver.">were shaken.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>The clouds poured down water; the skies resounded with thunder; Your arrows flashed back and forth.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/14-21.htm">Exodus 14:21-22</a></span><br />Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/3-15.htm">Joshua 3:15-16</a></span><br />Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, / the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-16.htm">Isaiah 43:16</a></span><br />Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the surging waters,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/3-10.htm">Habakkuk 3:10</a></span><br />The mountains saw You and quaked; torrents of water swept by. The deep roared with its voice and lifted its hands on high.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/1-4.htm">Nahum 1:4</a></span><br />He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/114-3.htm">Psalm 114:3-5</a></span><br />The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back; / the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. / Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/26-12.htm">Job 26:12</a></span><br />By His power He stirred the sea; by His understanding He shattered Rahab.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-10.htm">Isaiah 51:10</a></span><br />Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/89-9.htm">Psalm 89:9</a></span><br />You rule the raging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/93-3.htm">Psalm 93:3-4</a></span><br />The floodwaters have risen, O LORD; the rivers have raised their voice; the seas lift up their pounding waves. / Above the roar of many waters—the mighty breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is majestic.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/8-26.htm">Matthew 8:26-27</a></span><br />“You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm. / The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-39.htm">Mark 4:39-41</a></span><br />Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. / “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” / Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-24.htm">Luke 8:24-25</a></span><br />The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm. / “Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-18.htm">John 6:18-21</a></span><br />A strong wind was blowing, and the sea grew agitated. / When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea—and they were terrified. / But Jesus spoke up: “It is I; do not be afraid.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/15-2.htm">Revelation 15:2</a></span><br />And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, beside which stood those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name. They were holding harps from God,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/114-3.htm">Psalm 114:3-6</a></b></br> The sea saw <i>it</i>, and fled: Jordan was driven back… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/14-21.htm">Exodus 14:21</a></b></br> And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go <i>back</i> by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry <i>land</i>, and the waters were divided.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/3-15.htm">Joshua 3:15,16</a></b></br> And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/65-8.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/psalms/55-4.htm">Anguish</a> <a href="/job/34-20.htm">Convulsed</a> <a href="/psalms/76-6.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/psalms/33-7.htm">Deeps</a> <a href="/psalms/71-20.htm">Depths</a> <a href="/psalms/77-3.htm">Disturbed</a> <a href="/psalms/76-8.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/psalms/73-4.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/psalms/68-8.htm">Trembled</a> <a href="/psalms/77-4.htm">Troubled</a> <a href="/psalms/74-13.htm">Waters</a> <a href="/esther/4-4.htm">Writhed</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/78-53.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">Anguish</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-39.htm">Convulsed</a> <a href="/psalms/78-15.htm">Deep</a> <a href="/psalms/88-6.htm">Deeps</a> <a href="/psalms/78-15.htm">Depths</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-16.htm">Disturbed</a> <a href="/psalms/78-53.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/psalms/78-41.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/psalms/77-18.htm">Trembled</a> <a href="/psalms/77-18.htm">Troubled</a> <a href="/psalms/77-17.htm">Waters</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-18.htm">Writhed</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 77</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/77-1.htm">The psalmist shows what fierce combat he had with distrust</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/77-10.htm">The victory which he had by consideration of God's great and gracious works.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/77.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/77.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The waters saw You, O God;</b><br>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 <a href="/genesis/1-2.htm">Genesis 1:2</a> 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 <a href="/exodus/14.htm">Exodus 14</a>, where the waters obeyed God's command, demonstrating His authority and power.<p><b>the waters saw You and swirled;</b><br>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 <a href="/genesis/7.htm">Genesis 7</a>, where the waters covered the earth as a form of divine judgment. It also foreshadows the calming of the storm by Jesus in <a href="/mark/4-39.htm">Mark 4:39</a>, where He demonstrates His divine authority over nature.<p><b>even the depths were shaken.</b><br>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 <a href="/jonah/2-3.htm">Jonah 2:3</a>, where the prophet describes being in the depths of the sea, and to <a href="/revelation/21.htm">Revelation 21:1</a>, 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 <a href="/hebrews/12-26.htm">Hebrews 12:26-27</a>, highlighting God's ultimate control over all things.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure in this verse, whose presence and power are acknowledged by the natural world.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_waters.htm">The Waters</a></b><br>Symbolic of chaos and disorder, often representing the sea or large bodies of water in biblical literature.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_depths.htm">The Depths</a></b><br>Refers to the deep parts of the sea, emphasizing the profound impact of God's presence.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_creation.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Creation</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_god's_presence.htm">The Power of God's Presence</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_authority.htm">Faith in God's Authority</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_water_in_scripture.htm">Symbolism of Water in Scripture</a></b><br>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.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/77.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16-20) The prominence given to Joseph is a feature common to the Asaphic psalm. With this magnificent lyric of the passage of the Red Sea comp. <a href="/context/habakkuk/3-10.htm" title="The mountains saw you, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.">Habakkuk 3:10-11</a>. The narrative in Exodus says nothing of a storm, but Josephus has preserved the tradition (<span class= "ital">Ant., </span>2:16. 3). Philo also mentions the storm.<p>(16) <span class= "bld">The waters saw thee.</span>--Possibly alluding to the "look" which troubled the Egyptians (<a href="/exodus/14-24.htm" title="And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked to the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,">Exodus 14:24</a>).<p><span class= "bld">Were afraid.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">writhed, </span>as in travail pains.<p><span class= "bld">Went abroad</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>darted hither and thither. The arrows are the lightnings.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/77.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The waters saw thee, O God, the</span> <span class="cmt_word">waters saw thee.</span> Professor Cheyne regards this and the three following verses as not belonging properly to this psalm, but a "fragment of another," accidentally transferred to this place. But most commentators see in the passage a most essential portion of the poem. It is the thought of the deliverance from Egypt that especially sustains and comforts the psalmist in his extreme distress. The passage is prepared for by vers. 11 and 14, and is exegetical of ver. 15. <span class="cmt_word">They were afraid.</span> They shrank from the sight of God, and made a way for his people to pass over. <span class="cmt_word">The</span> <span class="cmt_word">depths also were troubled</span>. The very abysses trembled with fear, and moved themselves, leaving the bottom of the sea dry (see <a href="/exodus/14-29.htm">Exodus 14:29</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/77-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The waters</span><br /><span class="heb">מַּ֨יִם ׀</span> <span class="translit">(ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saw You,</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֘א֤וּךָ</span> <span class="translit">(rā·’ū·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O God;</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱ‍ֽלֹהִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕlō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the waters</span><br /><span class="heb">מַּ֣יִם</span> <span class="translit">(ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saw You</span><br /><span class="heb">רָא֣וּךָ</span> <span class="translit">(rā·’ū·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and swirled;</span><br /><span class="heb">יָחִ֑ילוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḥî·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2342.htm">Strong's 2342: </a> </span><span class="str2">To twist, whirl, to dance, to writhe in pain, fear, to wait, to pervert</span><br /><br /><span class="word">even</span><br /><span class="heb">אַ֝֗ף</span> <span class="translit">(’ap̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_637.htm">Strong's 637: </a> </span><span class="str2">Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the depths</span><br /><span class="heb">תְהֹמֽוֹת׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṯə·hō·mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8415.htm">Strong's 8415: </a> </span><span class="str2">An abyss, the deep</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were shaken.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִרְגְּז֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yir·gə·zū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7264.htm">Strong's 7264: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be agitated, quiver, quake, be excited, perturbed</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/77-16.htm">Psalm 77:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/77-16.htm">Psalm 77:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/77-16.htm">Psalm 77:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/77-16.htm">Psalm 77:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/77-16.htm">Psalm 77:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/77-16.htm">Psalm 77:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/77-16.htm">Psalm 77:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/77-16.htm">Psalm 77:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/77-16.htm">Psalm 77:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/77-16.htm">Psalm 77:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/77-16.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 77:16 The waters saw you God (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/77-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 77:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 77:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/77-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 77:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 77:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>