He turned the sea into dry [land]: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
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.
He turned the sea into dry land. They passed through the river on foot; there we rejoiced in him.
He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the waters on foot; there we rejoiced in Him.
He turned the sea into dry land; They went through the river on foot: There did we rejoice in him.
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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.
Psalm 66:6 is a vibrant declaration of God's unparalleled power and His miraculous interventions on behalf of His people. It serves as a powerful reminder of divine sovereignty and the appropriate human response of joy and worship.
Context
This verse is embedded within Psalm 66, a psalm of universal praise and thanksgiving that calls all the earth to worship God for His awesome deeds. The psalm transitions from a general call to praise (verses 1-4) to a specific recounting of God's mighty acts in Israel's history (verses 5-12). Verse 6 specifically recalls the most pivotal moment of Israel's liberation from slavery, the parting of the Red Sea, and potentially other instances where God supernaturally controlled water for His people's passage, such as the crossing of the Jordan River.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "sea" is yam (יָם), which commonly refers to the Red Sea in the context of the Exodus. "Dry land" is yabbashah (יַבָּשָׁה), stressing the miraculous nature of the ground that appeared. The word translated "flood" is nahar (נָהָר), which typically means "river." While the primary reference is the Red Sea, the use of nahar might also evoke the crossing of the Jordan River, which also occurred on dry ground, signifying God's repeated acts of divine control over water for His people's salvation. The verb "rejoice" (שָׂמַח - samach) conveys a deep sense of gladness, delight, and celebration.
Reflection and Application
Psalm 66:6 offers profound encouragement and a call to worship for believers today: