Psalms 66:6

KJV

He turned the sea into dry [land]: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.

KJV (with Strong's)

He turned {H2015}{H8804)} the sea {H3220} into dry {H3004} land: they went {H5674}{H8799)} through the flood {H5104} on foot {H7272}: there did we rejoice {H8055}{H8799)} in him.

Complete Jewish Bible

He turned the sea into dry land. They passed through the river on foot; there we rejoiced in him.

Berean Standard Bible

He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the waters on foot; there we rejoiced in Him.

American Standard Version

He turned the sea into dry land; They went through the river on foot: There did we rejoice in him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 66:6 is a potent declaration of God's awe-inspiring power, specifically recounting His miraculous interventions in Israel's foundational history. It vividly recalls the divine act of transforming impassable waters into dry ground, enabling His people to traverse seemingly insurmountable barriers. This verse serves as a profound testament to God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His unwavering commitment to deliver His people, eliciting a communal response of profound joy and worship in remembrance of His mighty deeds.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 66 is a psalm of universal praise and thanksgiving, inviting "all the earth" (Psalm 66:1) to worship God for His "awesome deeds" (Psalm 66:3). The psalm transitions from a general call to praise (Psalm 66:1-4) to a specific recounting of God's mighty acts in Israel's history (Psalm 66:5-12), culminating in personal thanksgiving (Psalm 66:13-20). Verse 6 specifically recalls the most pivotal moments of Israel's liberation and entry into the promised land, serving as concrete examples of the "awesome deeds" mentioned earlier. It grounds the universal call to worship in the specific, redemptive history of God with His chosen people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The primary historical event referenced in Psalm 66:6 is the miraculous [parting of the Red Sea](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - The Parting of the Red Sea") during the Exodus, which was the foundational act of Israel's liberation from Egyptian slavery. This event demonstrated Yahweh's unparalleled power over nature and His enemies, establishing His covenant relationship with Israel. The phrase "went through the flood on foot" might also allude to the [crossing of the Jordan River](/joshua/3-17 "Joshua 3:17 - The Crossing of the Jordan River") on dry ground as Israel entered the Promised Land. Both events underscored God's unique control over water, a powerful and often chaotic element in the ancient world, signifying His ability to make a way where there was none, thereby confirming His divine authority and faithfulness to His people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent in Psalm 66 and throughout the biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Power and Sovereignty**, showcasing God's absolute control over creation, capable of altering natural laws to achieve His purposes. He is not limited by physical barriers, demonstrating His omnipotence. Secondly, it emphasizes **Miraculous Deliverance**, illustrating God's commitment to rescuing His people from seemingly impossible dangers and His faithfulness as a redeemer. These acts of deliverance establish His unique identity among the nations, as seen in the [Song of Moses](/exodus/15 "Exodus 15 - The Song of Moses"). Finally, the phrase "there did we rejoice in him" underscores the theme of **Remembrance and Rejoicing**. It calls the community to recall God's past interventions as a source of present joy, future hope, and heartfelt worship, recognizing that God's historical acts of salvation demand a grateful and celebratory response from His people, echoing the call to remember God's works found in [Psalm 77:11-12](/psalms/77-11 "Psalm 77:11-12 - Remembering God's Deeds").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sea (Hebrew, _yam'_):** This term, while generally meaning "sea" or "large body of water," in the context of Israel's history, particularly when paired with miraculous dry ground passage, almost exclusively refers to the Red Sea (Yam Suph) of the Exodus event. It represents an insurmountable natural barrier, a symbol of chaos and death, which God miraculously subdued.
* **Dry Land (Hebrew, _yabbashah'_):** This word emphasizes the absolute and miraculous nature of the ground that appeared. It was not merely shallow water, but truly dry ground, allowing for safe and rapid passage. The transformation from a vast, deep sea to firm, dry earth highlights the extraordinary power of God and the complete reversal of natural conditions.
* **Rejoice (Hebrew, _samach'_):** This verb conveys a deep sense of gladness, delight, and celebration. It indicates a heartfelt, communal response of joy and worship that springs from the recognition of God's mighty acts of deliverance. This is not a superficial happiness but a profound spiritual elation rooted in God's faithfulness and power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He turned the sea into dry [land]:"** This opening clause immediately establishes God as the sole agent of this extraordinary transformation. The "sea" (likely the Red Sea) was a formidable, impassable barrier, representing a point of no return for the Israelites. God's act of turning it into "dry land" signifies His absolute sovereignty over creation and His ability to manipulate natural elements to achieve His redemptive purposes. It is a direct, powerful demonstration of omnipotence.
* **"they went through the flood on foot:"** This clause describes the consequence of God's action and the manner of the people's passage. The "flood" (Hebrew _nahar_, often "river") likely refers to the same body of water, or perhaps broadens the scope to include the Jordan River crossing, reinforcing the idea of God's repeated control over large bodies of water for His people's deliverance. The phrase "on foot" emphasizes the ease and safety of their passage, directly attributable to God's miraculous intervention, not human effort.
* **"there did we rejoice in him."** This final clause articulates the appropriate and inevitable response of the delivered people. The "there" points back to the place of deliverance, making the joy directly tied to the specific acts of God. The "we" indicates a communal, shared experience of gladness and celebration. Their rejoicing is "in him," meaning their joy is rooted in God Himself—His character, His power, and His faithfulness—rather than merely in the deliverance itself. It is an act of worship and gratitude.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 66:6 employs several powerful literary devices. **Imagery** is central, painting a vivid picture of the impossible made possible: a vast, chaotic sea transformed into firm, traversable dry ground. This stark contrast highlights the magnitude of God's power. **Symbolism** is also at play, with the "sea" often symbolizing chaos, death, or insurmountable obstacles, while the "dry land" represents divine order, salvation, and a clear path forward. The act of "turning" implies **Divine Action** and omnipotence, emphasizing God's direct, purposeful intervention in the natural world. The verse also contains an element of **Synecdoche** or **Metonymy**, where "sea" and "flood" represent specific historical events (Red Sea, Jordan River crossing), allowing the psalmist to evoke the entirety of God's redemptive history through these iconic moments.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 66:6 stands as a monumental declaration of God's sovereign power and His active involvement in the history of salvation. It underscores the theological truth that God is not a distant deity but one who intervenes decisively on behalf of His people, overcoming all natural and human obstacles. This verse teaches that God's power is not merely abstract but is demonstrated through concrete, historical acts of deliverance, which in turn demand a response of joyful worship and remembrance from those who benefit from His grace. It serves as a perpetual reminder that the God who parted the sea is the same God who remains faithful to His covenant promises, capable of making a way through any "sea" or "flood" in the lives of His people.

* [Exodus 14:21-22](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21-22 - The Parting of the Red Sea")
* [Joshua 3:15-17](/joshua/3-15 "Joshua 3:15-17 - The Crossing of the Jordan River")
* [Isaiah 43:16](/isaiah/43-16 "Isaiah 43:16 - God Makes a Way in the Wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 66:6 offers profound encouragement and a timeless call to worship for believers today. It reminds us that the God who miraculously transformed the sea into dry land for His people's passage is the same God who remains sovereign over all circumstances in our lives. When we face seemingly insurmountable obstacles—whether personal crises, societal challenges, or spiritual battles—this verse calls us to recall God's demonstrated power and faithfulness. Just as the Israelites were called to remember and rejoice in God's past interventions, we too are invited to cultivate a spirit of remembrance, recounting His goodness in our own lives and in the broader history of redemption. This act of remembering God's past victories fuels our trust for present trials and inspires a joyful, worshipful response to His ongoing work of deliverance and provision. Our lives should be characterized by gratitude and celebration for His saving grace, echoing the communal joy of those who witnessed His mighty acts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "seas" or "floods" in your life currently feel impassable, and how does remembering God's power in Psalm 66:6 encourage you?**
* **How can you more intentionally remember and recount God's past acts of deliverance in your own life to strengthen your faith?**
* **In what ways does your response to God's faithfulness reflect the "rejoicing in him" described in this verse?**
* **How does this historical act of God's power inform your understanding of His character and His ability to work in the world today?**

### FAQ
**Does "the flood" in this verse refer to the Red Sea or another event?**

Answer: While the primary reference of "the sea" is almost certainly the [Red Sea crossing](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Red Sea Crossing"), the term "flood" (Hebrew _nahar_, meaning "river") could also allude to the [crossing of the Jordan River](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - The Jordan River Crossing") on dry ground as Israel entered Canaan. The psalmist may be employing a poetic parallelism or a broader reference to multiple instances where God miraculously controlled large bodies of water for His people's deliverance. Both events were pivotal in Israel's history, demonstrating God's consistent power over nature to fulfill His covenant promises.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 66:6, with its declaration of God's power to turn the sea into dry land and enable passage, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God made a way through the waters of chaos for Israel's liberation, so Christ, the incarnate God, has made a way through the ultimate barriers of sin and death for humanity's salvation. His power over nature, demonstrated by His ability to [calm the storm](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm") and even [walk on water](/matthew/14-25 "Matthew 14:25 - Jesus Walks on Water"), echoes the Psalmist's praise of divine sovereignty. More profoundly, Christ's death and resurrection represent the ultimate "turning of the sea into dry land"—He passed through the "flood" of death, emerging victorious, thereby creating a new path to life for all who believe. Through His sacrifice, the seemingly impassable chasm of sin that separated humanity from God was bridged, allowing us to "pass through" from death to life, from condemnation to reconciliation. Our "rejoicing in him" now finds its deepest meaning in the resurrected Christ, who has conquered the final enemy and opened the way to eternal fellowship with God, as promised in passages like [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life") and [Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - The New and Living Way").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 3:16

That the waters which came down from above stood [and] rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that [is] beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea, failed, [and] were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.

Exodus 14:21

¶ And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go [back] by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry [land], and the waters were divided.

Exodus 14:22

And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry [ground]: and the waters [were] a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

Exodus 15:1

¶ Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Exodus 15:21

And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Joshua 3:14

¶ And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;

Psalms 78:13

He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.