Psalm 78:16 kjv
He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.
Psalm 78:16 nkjv
He also brought streams out of the rock, And caused waters to run down like rivers.
Psalm 78:16 niv
he brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers.
Psalm 78:16 esv
He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers.
Psalm 78:16 nlt
He made streams pour from the rock,
making the waters flow down like a river!
Psalm 78 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 17:6 | Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. | God provides water from rock |
| Num 20:11 | And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly... | God provides water twice |
| Deut 8:15 | Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; | God's miraculous provision |
| Neh 9:15 | And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst... | God's steadfast provision |
| Ps 105:41 | He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river. | Abundant water provision |
| Isa 48:21 | And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out. | God's unfailing care |
| John 4:10 | ...and he would have given thee living water. | Christ as living water |
| John 7:38 | He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. | Spiritual water from Christ |
| 1 Cor 10:4 | And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. | Christ is the Spiritual Rock |
| Ps 78:15 | He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. | Previous verse: splitting rocks |
| Exod 17:1-7 | Account of water from the rock at Rephidim/Massah/Meribah. | Context of first miracle |
| Num 20:1-13 | Account of water from the rock at Kadesh/Meribah. | Context of second miracle |
| Ps 95:8 | Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness. | Israelites' testing God |
| Ps 114:8 | Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters. | God's transforming power |
| Deut 32:13 | ...he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock. | God provides from unexpected places |
| Zech 14:8 | And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem... | Future provision of water |
| Rev 21:6 | I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. | God's final spiritual provision |
| Jer 2:13 | For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters... | Forsaking God as source |
| Isa 43:20 | The beasts of the field shall honour me... because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert... | God provides for all needs |
| Joel 3:18 | ...and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord... | God's cleansing and refreshing power |
| Isa 55:1 | Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters... | Invitation to receive freely |
| Ps 42:1 | As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. | Deep spiritual longing for God |
Psalm 78 verses
Psalm 78 16 Meaning
Psalm 78:16 recounts God's miraculous provision of water for the Israelites during their wilderness wandering. It highlights His absolute power and faithfulness, illustrating how He brought forth abundant streams from solid rock, making water flow as readily and copiously as rivers, defying natural limitations to sustain His people.
Psalm 78 16 Context
Psalm 78 is a Maskil, an instructional psalm recounting Israel's history of rebellion and God's consistent faithfulness. The psalm aims to remind the generation receiving it of God's past works so they might not repeat the transgressions of their ancestors. Verses 12-16 specifically highlight the wonders God performed in Egypt and the wilderness, emphasizing His miraculous provision, including manna (v. 24) and water from the rock. The broader historical context is the forty years of wandering through arid desert after the Exodus, where life-sustaining water was critically scarce. God's act of bringing water from a rock directly confronted the physical limitations of the wilderness and any human or pagan belief in self-reliance or other deities that could not perform such a feat.
Psalm 78 16 Word analysis
- He: Refers to Yahweh, the LORD God. This simple pronoun powerfully asserts that God alone is the actor and source of this incredible provision.
- brought streams: Hebrew nahal (נַחַל), meaning wadis, torrents, or stream-beds. In a dry land, nahal typically refers to a seasonal stream. Here, it denotes flowing, abundant water, suggesting a departure from the arid norm and continuous flow. The implication is not just a trickle, but a substantial volume.
- also out of the rock: Emphasizes the unnatural and impossible source for such water, highlighting God's power over creation. The "rock" refers to the specific instances in Exod 17 and Num 20. It's a testament to divine omnipotence; water could not naturally emanate from solid stone.
- and caused waters to run down: The verb signifies active direction and control. God specifically "made to flow," ensuring the water moved purposefully and for the benefit of His people.
- like rivers: Hebrew nahar (נָהָר), referring to large, perennial rivers like the Nile or the Euphrates. This simile underlines the vast quantity and ceaseless flow of the water. It conveys a picture of truly abundant and readily accessible provision, contrasting sharply with the desolate desert landscape.
- He brought streams also out of the rock: This phrase encapsulates God's absolute authority and power over creation. It presents a supernatural intervention where a life-sustaining necessity is supplied from an utterly improbable source, demonstrating God's unique ability to provide.
- and caused waters to run down like rivers: This phrase highlights the generosity and abundance of God's provision. It wasn't merely enough water, but water flowing copiously, like mighty rivers, overcoming the natural scarcity of the desert. This ensures life and removes any doubt about His capability to sustain.
Psalm 78 16 Bonus section
The repeated act of water from the rock at two distinct locations and times (Exod 17 and Num 20), though alluded to as one general provision here, emphasizes God's consistent character of meeting His people's needs regardless of their location or their failings. The reference to the "rock" throughout scripture often symbolizes strength and dependability, and here, specifically, it also represents God as the immovable source of all good things. The miraculous supply was not only physical sustenance but also a visible demonstration of God's divine presence and active intervention in the midst of His people. It directly challenged any notion that the Israelites would perish in the desert or that other gods, associated with nature or fertility, held sway over such fundamental provisions.
Psalm 78 16 Commentary
Psalm 78:16 stands as a monumental declaration of God's sovereign power and compassionate provision for His people. It recalls a defining moment in Israel's history when God miraculously supplied an essential life-source in a desolate environment. The "rock" signifies not only the unlikeliness of the source but also God's ability to create and sustain life where human effort utterly fails. The comparison to "rivers" underscores the immense quantity and ceaseless flow of the water, far beyond what was merely sufficient, signifying God's overflowing generosity. This act demonstrated that God was not limited by physical reality but could bring forth life and abundance from barrenness. It served as a clear sign of His covenant faithfulness, contrasting His unwavering care with Israel's often-rebellious and faithless response. The spiritual significance is immense, later revealing Christ as the Spiritual Rock (1 Cor 10:4), from whom flows the "living water" that eternally satisfies.