Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, [through] the heap of great waters.
Thou didst walk {H1869} through the sea {H3220} with thine horses {H5483}, through the heap {H2563} of great {H7227} waters {H4325}.
You tread down the sea with your horses, churning up the mighty waters.
You trampled the sea with Your horses, churning the great waters.
Thou didst tread the sea with thy horses, The heap of mighty waters.
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Psalms 77:19
Thy way [is] in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. -
Habakkuk 3:8
Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? [was] thine anger against the rivers? [was] thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses [and] thy chariots of salvation? -
Exodus 15:8
And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, [and] the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
Habakkuk 3:15 is a powerful poetic declaration within the prophet Habakkuk's prayer, praising God's majestic power and recalling His mighty acts of deliverance in Israel's history. This verse vividly portrays God's unparalleled ability to overcome any obstacle for His people.
Context
This verse is found within Habakkuk chapter 3, which is a profound prayer (often called a psalm or ode) where the prophet, facing the impending invasion of the Babylonians (Chaldeans), expresses both awe and terror at God's coming judgment. Yet, amidst this dread, Habakkuk chooses to trust in God's ultimate sovereignty and faithfulness. The prayer shifts from a plea for revival (Habakkuk 3:2) to a magnificent description of God's glorious appearance and historical interventions, serving as a basis for future hope. The imagery in verse 15 is a direct reference to God's intervention in the Exodus from Egypt.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses" uses powerful, anthropomorphic language to describe God's triumphant movement. The "horses" here are not literal animals but represent the swift, overwhelming, and irresistible force of God's presence and action. It speaks to God's complete mastery, as if the mighty sea were merely a level path for His divine chariots or instruments of power. The "heap of great waters" (Hebrew: chomer mayim rabbim) directly evokes the piled-up walls of water during the crossing of the Red Sea, highlighting the miraculous and unnatural nature of the event.
Practical Application
Habakkuk 3:15 serves as a powerful reminder that no obstacle is too great for God. When we face overwhelming challenges, whether personal struggles, societal crises, or seemingly impossible situations, this verse encourages us to look back at God's historical faithfulness. Just as He made a way through the "heap of great waters" for Israel, He can make a way for us. It calls us to place our trust in His sovereignty and power, knowing that the God who delivered His people in the past is the same God who is active and able to deliver today. This perspective cultivates hope and resilience, even when the path ahead seems impassable.