Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.
Thou didst divide {H6565}{H8782)} the sea {H3220} by thy strength {H5797}: thou brakest {H7665}{H8765)} the heads {H7218} of the dragons {H8577} in the waters {H4325}.
By your strength you split the sea in two, in the water you smashed sea monsters' heads,
You divided the sea by Your strength; You smashed the heads of the dragons of the sea;
Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: Thou brakest the heads of the sea-monsters in the waters.
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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. -
Psalms 78:13
He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap. -
Ezekiel 29:3
Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river [is] mine own, and I have made [it] for myself. -
Isaiah 51:9
¶ Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon? -
Isaiah 51:10
[Art] thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over? -
Psalms 106:8
Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. -
Psalms 106:9
He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.
Psalm 74:13 vividly recalls God's mighty acts of deliverance and supremacy, serving as a foundational truth for the psalmist's plea in a time of national crisis. This verse is part of a communal lament where the people appeal to God based on His historical power and covenant faithfulness.
Historical and Cultural Context
This psalm is believed to have been written during a period of great distress for Israel, possibly the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem by foreign invaders (e.g., the Babylonians, though the exact historical setting is debated). The psalmist looks back to God's past interventions as a basis for hope and an appeal for present help. The imagery used here draws heavily from the foundational event of the Exodus from Egypt, particularly the parting of the Red Sea, and also subtly references ancient Near Eastern concepts of divine victory over primordial chaos.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "Thou didst divide the sea" uses the Hebrew verb baqa` (בָּקַע), meaning "to cleave" or "to split open," emphasizing a decisive and powerful act. The term "dragons" comes from the Hebrew word tanninim (תַּנִּינִים), which can refer to large sea creatures (like crocodiles or sea monsters) or, more symbolically, to powerful, hostile entities or nations. In this context, it powerfully conveys God's absolute victory over seemingly insurmountable opposition, echoing similar themes found in other biblical texts like Isaiah 51:9, where God is depicted as cleaving Rahab (another symbolic sea monster representing Egypt/chaos).
Practical Application
Psalm 74:13 offers profound encouragement for believers facing overwhelming challenges today. Just as God demonstrated His power over the Red Sea and the "dragons" of chaos in the past, He remains sovereign over all circumstances. This verse serves as a reminder that no enemy is too strong, no situation too dire, for the Lord. It calls us to recall God's past faithfulness and to trust in His unchanging power for present and future deliverance. When we feel overwhelmed by the "waters" of life, we can find solace and strength in the God who is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.