Psalm 18 15

Psalm 18:15 kjv

Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

Psalm 18:15 nkjv

Then the channels of the sea were seen, The foundations of the world were uncovered At Your rebuke, O LORD, At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

Psalm 18:15 niv

The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.

Psalm 18:15 esv

Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

Psalm 18:15 nlt

Then at your command, O LORD,
at the blast of your breath,
the bottom of the sea could be seen,
and the foundations of the earth were laid bare.

Psalm 18 verses

Psalm 18 15 Meaning

Psalm 18:15 describes an intense manifestation of God's power, likened to a cosmic storm and earthquake, where the deepest parts of the earth and the hidden channels of the sea are laid bare. This dramatic revelation occurs in response to His authoritative rebuke and the forceful blast of His breath, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over all creation. It portrays God removing all obstructions and exposing the hidden foundations of existence to act decisively in salvation for His chosen one.

Psalm 18 15 Context

Psalm 18 is a psalm of David, serving as a thanksgiving and praise to the LORD for delivering him from all his enemies, including Saul. This psalm is nearly identical to 2 Samuel 22, indicating its significant historical grounding in David's life. Verses 7-19 vividly describe a divine "theophany" or a powerful manifestation of God coming to deliver David. The imagery is drawn from intense natural phenomena: earthquakes, smoke, fire, storm clouds, lightning, thunder, and violent winds. This specific verse, 18:15, intensifies the display of God's power by depicting Him as penetrating to the very foundations of the earth and the deepest parts of the sea, forces often considered beyond control. This grand display serves not only to depict God's unparalleled power but also functions as a powerful polemic, asserting YHWH's absolute sovereignty over natural elements and cosmic forces that surrounding pagan nations might have worshipped or feared as independent deities. For David, this overwhelming power is specifically directed toward his deliverance, emphasizing God's covenant faithfulness and protective nature toward His chosen king.

Psalm 18 15 Word analysis

• Then (וַיֵּרָאוּ, wa yē·rā·ʾū): A conjunctive preterite, indicating a sequential event, following the intense storm imagery of the preceding verses. It signals the immediate result of God's action.
• channels (אֲפִקֵי, ʾǎfîqê): From אֲפִיק (ʾaphîq), meaning watercourses, torrent beds, streams, or river channels. Here, it refers to the deepest, hidden pathways where subterranean or deep-sea waters flow, implying the most inaccessible parts of the oceans.
• of the sea (יָּם, yām): Refers to the ocean or any large body of water. In ancient Near Eastern cosmology, the "sea" often symbolized chaotic forces that needed divine subduing (as in Gen 1 and numerous mythical texts, here asserted as fully under YHWH's command).
• were seen (נִרְאוּ, ni·rā·ʾū): A passive form of רָאָה (ra'ah), meaning to see or appear. It indicates that these deep, previously unseen parts became visible, exposed, and laid bare. This implies a revelation of hidden truths and the absolute penetration of God's power.
• and the foundations (וּמוֹסְדוֹת, ū·mō·w·se·dō·wt): From מוּסָד (mūsādh) or יָסַד (yāsadh), meaning a foundation, base, or established structure. It refers to the physical underpinnings or deep structure of the earth, conceived as its support system.
• of the world (תֵּבֵל, tēḇēl): Refers specifically to the inhabited earth, the cultivable land, distinct from אֶרֶץ (ʾeretz) which can mean general land/earth. It highlights that God's power impacts the very dwelling place of humanity, ensuring its stability only by His will.
• were laid bare (נִגְלוּ, niḡ·lū): A passive form of גָּלָה (gālah), meaning to uncover, reveal, expose, or lay bare. Synonymous with 'were seen,' it emphasizes the complete unveiling and vulnerability of even the most fundamental structures before God's presence.
• at Your rebuke (מִגַּעֲרָתְךָ, miɡɡaʿăraṯḵā): From גָּעַר (gāʿar), meaning to rebuke, scold, or reprimand. It is an authoritative, powerful command that silences, controls, and brings disorder to an end. It suggests that God merely speaks, and creation must yield.
• O LORD (יהוה, YHWH): The personal, covenantal name of God, revealing His relationship with His people and His active presence in history, specifically in deliverance.
• at the blast (מִנִּשְׁמַת, min·niš·maṯ): From נְשָׁמָה (nəshāmāh), meaning breath, blast, or spirit. It signifies a forceful emanation, often associated with life-giving breath, but here with a powerful, destructive or transformative force.
• of the breath of Your nostrils (אַף, ʾap): An anthropomorphic expression where אַף (ʾap), literally "nose" or "nostril," often refers to anger, wrath, or powerful indignation when "breath" (נְשָׁמָה) comes from it. It implies an overwhelming, all-consuming force driven by divine displeasure or resolute will.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Then the channels of the sea were seen": This phrase introduces the exposure of hidden depths, depicting a physical or metaphorical drying up, as if the water retreated or became transparent, revealing what lay beneath. It implies that nothing, no matter how deep or concealed, can hide from God's penetrating gaze and power.
• "and the foundations of the world were laid bare": This parallel phrase intensifies the imagery. Not just the sea's hidden parts, but the very base and stability of the entire inhabited earth are uncovered. This underscores the absolute fragility of creation before the Creator, whose power can unravel its fundamental structures.
• "at Your rebuke, O LORD": This identifies the immediate cause of the cosmic disturbance. It's not a natural disaster but a direct, deliberate act of divine will, spoken word, or authoritative command. God simply rebukes, and the universe responds. The use of YHWH emphasizes the covenant God's direct and personal intervention.
• "at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils": This final powerful descriptor details the manner of the rebuke. It’s an anthropomorphism signifying overwhelming divine force, often associated with wrath or intense determination. Like a furious expulsion of breath, it sweeps away all obstacles, leaving nothing untouched or concealed. It links back to the "storm cloud" imagery in earlier verses of the Psalm, implying that God’s presence carries overwhelming natural phenomena in its wake.

Psalm 18 15 Bonus section

• The cosmic shaking depicted in Ps 18:15, with the earth’s foundations laid bare and the sea’s channels revealed, finds a deep echo in later biblical prophecy concerning the "Day of the Lord." This eschatological day also often features cataclysmic disturbances in creation as a sign of ultimate divine judgment and deliverance.
• The anthropomorphic language ("breath of Your nostrils") while portraying God's raw power, is also a profound theological statement. It conveys the personal, intentional, and emotional aspect of God's intervention – it is a fierce, decisive response to the plight of His beloved.
• The imagery likely draws upon the historical memory of the Exodus, particularly the parting of the Red Sea (Exo 14, 15:8), where the "channels of the sea" were indeed "seen" at God's powerful breath (Exo 15:8 "At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up"). This links God's consistent historical acts of salvation to His majestic nature.
• This verse can be understood not just literally but also metaphorically, where God's intervention brings hidden truths (like the schemes of enemies) to light, and reveals the very essence or "foundations" of a situation, enabling proper judgment and ultimate vindication.

Psalm 18 15 Commentary

Psalm 18:15 vividly illustrates the terrifying majesty and overwhelming power of God as He intervenes for His faithful servant. The language employed here reaches into the deepest recesses of creation—the hidden channels of the sea and the fundamental foundations of the earth. These elements, typically unseen and believed to be unshakeable, are completely exposed and rendered vulnerable by a mere command from the LORD. This dramatic imagery serves to underscore the extent of God’s dominion; there is no corner of existence that lies beyond His reach or beneath His authority.

The double emphasis on God’s "rebuke" and "the blast of the breath of Your nostrils" highlights the effortless yet devastating nature of divine power. It’s not through elaborate action but by an utterance or an exhalation that the cosmos reconfigures. This passage powerfully asserts YHWH’s supremacy, standing in stark contrast to pagan deities associated with specific natural forces. Here, all such forces are depicted as absolutely subservient to the one true God, who mobilizes them as His instruments of salvation and judgment. For the psalmist, this formidable display, which might seem cataclysmic, is presented as comforting and reassuring because it is exercised on his behalf to deliver him from his oppressors. It's a testament that no foe is too strong, no situation too dire, and no obstacle too great for the God who can lay bare the foundations of the world with a single breath.