Psalms 78:15

KJV

He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave [them] drink as [out of] the great depths.

KJV (with Strong's)

He clave {H1234}{H8762)} the rocks {H6697} in the wilderness {H4057}, and gave them drink {H8248}{H8686)} as out of the great {H7227} depths {H8415}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He broke apart the rocks in the desert and let them drink as if from boundless depths;

Berean Standard Bible

He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink as abundant as the seas.

American Standard Version

He clave rocks in the wilderness, And gave them drink abundantly as out of the depths.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 78:15 profoundly recounts God's miraculous provision of water for the Israelites during their forty years in the wilderness. It vividly describes how the Lord, through an act of immense power, split open rocks to provide an abundant supply of water, as if from the vast, primordial depths. This verse serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness, His boundless capacity to sustain His people even in the most desolate circumstances, and His enduring patience in the face of their repeated rebellion, a central theme throughout Psalm 78.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 78 is a Maskil, a didactic psalm, attributed to Asaph. It functions as a sweeping historical narrative, recounting the story of Israel from the Exodus through the establishment of the Davidic covenant. Its primary purpose is to instruct future generations about God's consistent faithfulness and Israel's recurrent cycles of disobedience and forgetfulness. Verse 15 is embedded within the psalm's recounting of the Exodus and wilderness wanderings, specifically highlighting one of God's most critical and dramatic acts of provision. It immediately follows the description of God's deliverance at the Red Sea and precedes further accounts of Israel's grumbling and God's subsequent patience and judgment. This specific miracle of water from the rock serves as a foundational example of God's immediate and essential care for His newly liberated, yet often rebellious, people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Psalms 78:15 refer to the miraculous provision of water during Israel's forty-year sojourn through the barren wilderness after their liberation from Egyptian bondage. The desert environment was inherently hostile, characterized by extreme temperatures, scarce vegetation, and, most critically, a severe lack of water. Survival for a population numbering potentially millions, along with their livestock, depended entirely on divine intervention. The two primary historical instances recalled are the striking of the rock at Rephidim (recorded in [Exodus 17](/exodus/17 "Exodus 17 - Water from the Rock at Rephidim")) and later at Kadesh (detailed in [Numbers 20](/numbers/20 "Numbers 20 - Water from the Rock at Kadesh")). In the ancient Near East, control over water sources was a sign of divine power and blessing, and God's ability to provide water from a solid rock underscored His unique sovereignty over creation, distinguishing Him from the impotent deities of surrounding nations.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 78 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Provision**, showcasing God's ability to meet the most fundamental and desperate needs of His people, even in seemingly impossible circumstances. Secondly, it highlights **God's Miraculous Power** and omnipotence; the act of splitting a rock to yield a vast quantity of water transcends natural laws, demonstrating God's direct and supernatural intervention in the physical world to sustain life. Thirdly, and perhaps most poignantly within Psalm 78, it exemplifies **Covenant Faithfulness**. Despite Israel's repeated grumbling, testing God, and turning away from Him, as described throughout the psalm (e.g., [Psalms 78:18-20](/psalms/78-18 "Psalms 78:18-20 - Israel Tests God in the Wilderness")), God remained true to His covenant promises, consistently providing for their needs. This act of provision serves as a foundational example of God's enduring patience and grace, intended to be remembered and passed down through generations (as seen in [Psalms 78:4](/psalms/78-4 "Psalms 78:4 - Teaching Future Generations")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Clave (Hebrew, _bāqaʿ'_):** This verb signifies a forceful and decisive act of splitting, cleaving, or breaking open. It is a powerful term used elsewhere for the dividing of the Red Sea ([Exodus 14:16](/exodus/14-16 "Exodus 14:16 - Moses Divides the Red Sea")) and the bursting forth of springs. Its use here emphasizes that God's action was not a gentle parting or a mere discovery of an existing spring, but a supernatural, violent rending of solid rock, demonstrating His absolute power over creation to accomplish His will.
* **Great depths (Hebrew, _təhōmōṯ rabbāh'_):** The term _təhōmōṯ_ refers to "deep waters," often associated with the primordial deep or the abyss, as seen in the creation account ([Genesis 1:2](/genesis/1-2 "Genesis 1:2 - The Spirit of God Hovering Over the Waters")). Coupled with _rabbāh_ ("great" or "vast"), it conveys an immense, seemingly inexhaustible quantity of water. This phrase emphasizes that the water provided was not a meager trickle but a supernaturally abundant flow, far beyond what one would expect from a desert rock, signifying an unlimited and divine supply.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He clave the rocks in the wilderness":** The pronoun "He" unequivocally refers to God, highlighting His direct, personal, and powerful involvement. The verb "clave" (from _bāqaʿ_) denotes a forceful, miraculous splitting, not a natural occurrence. The use of "rocks" (plural) may suggest multiple instances of provision (Rephidim and Kadesh) or simply emphasize the sheer magnitude and enduring nature of the miracle, implying an extensive supply from seemingly impenetrable stone. The "wilderness" setting underscores the utter impossibility of natural provision, magnifying God's omnipotence.
* **"and gave [them] drink":** This clause focuses on the immediate and essential outcome: sustenance for the people. "Drink" represents life itself in a parched land. This was a direct, life-sustaining gift from God, addressing their most fundamental need and demonstrating His compassionate care for His covenant people.
* **"as [out of] the great depths":** This simile describes the nature and abundance of the water. It was not a mere trickle but flowed as if from the vast, inexhaustible primordial waters or deep oceanic springs. This emphasizes the supernatural origin and the boundless quantity of the provision, signifying that God's resources are limitless and His ability to provide transcends all natural limitations.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 78:15 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The phrase "as [out of] the great depths" functions as a **Simile**, comparing the miraculous flow of water to an inexhaustible, primal source, thereby emphasizing its supernatural abundance. The description of God "claving" the rocks uses **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human-like action (splitting) to God, which serves to make His direct, physical intervention more vivid and relatable. The entire psalm, including this verse, is a **Didactic Narrative**, designed to recount historical events with the explicit purpose of teaching future generations about God's character and Israel's responsibilities. The seemingly impossible act of water from a rock in the desert also carries strong **Symbolism**, representing God's life-giving power and His ability to bring forth life and provision from barrenness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 78:15 stands as a profound theological statement on God's sovereignty over creation, His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, and the nature of His miraculous provision. It reveals a God who is not distant or detached, but intimately involved in the daily sustenance of His people, demonstrating His power not merely for display but for life-giving purpose. This act of providing water from solid rock highlights that God provides not just adequately, but abundantly, even in the most desolate and humanly impossible circumstances. It serves as a foundational example of God's grace and patience, underscoring His faithfulness even when His people are faithless. The miracle foreshadows greater spiritual provision, pointing to God as the ultimate source of life and refreshment for the soul.

* [Exodus 17:6](/exodus/17-6 "Exodus 17:6 - Moses Strikes the Rock at Rephidim")
* [Numbers 20:11](/numbers/20-11 "Numbers 20:11 - Moses Strikes the Rock at Kadesh")
* [1 Corinthians 10:4](/1_corinthians/10-4 "1 Corinthians 10:4 - The Spiritual Rock was Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 78:15 offers profound encouragement and a call to faith for believers today. It reminds us that God is not limited by our circumstances, no matter how dire or impossible they may seem. When we encounter our own "wilderness" experiences—times of scarcity, overwhelming need, spiritual dryness, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles—this verse calls us to remember God's past faithfulness and His boundless capacity to provide. The same God who miraculously provided water from a rock for millions can meet our deepest needs, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of dependence on Him, trusting that His provision flows not from limited earthly resources, but from the "great depths" of His infinite love, power, and wisdom. This encourages us to lay our anxieties before Him, knowing that His resources are inexhaustible and His care for His children is unwavering.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "wilderness" areas of your life are you currently seeking God's miraculous provision?**
* **How does remembering God's past acts of faithfulness, both in biblical history and in your own life, strengthen your faith for present challenges?**
* **What does the phrase "as out of the great depths" imply about the nature and abundance of God's provision for you today?**

### FAQ

**Why is this event of water from the rock so significant that it's recounted multiple times in Scripture?**

Answer: The event of God providing water from the rock is foundational because it dramatically illustrates several core aspects of His character and His relationship with Israel. It is recounted in [Exodus 17](/exodus/17 "Exodus 17 - Water from the Rock at Rephidim") and [Numbers 20](/numbers/20 "Numbers 20 - Water from the Rock at Kadesh") as two distinct historical occurrences, both demonstrating God's consistent care despite Israel's persistent grumbling. Its repetition in Psalms, like [Psalms 78](/psalms/78 "Psalms 78 - A Historical Psalm") and [Psalms 105](/psalms/105 "Psalms 105 - God's Faithfulness to Israel"), underscores its didactic importance: it was a pivotal moment meant to be remembered and taught to future generations as a testament to God's power, faithfulness, and patience. It highlights that God is not merely a deliverer, but a sustainer, capable of meeting the most basic needs in the most impossible circumstances.

**What is the deeper theological significance of the phrase "as [out of] the great depths"?**

Answer: The phrase "as [out of] the great depths" (Hebrew: _təhōmōṯ rabbāh_) is highly significant. The "depths" (_təhōmōṯ_) often refers to the primordial waters of creation ([Genesis 1:2](/genesis/1-2 "Genesis 1:2 - The Spirit Hovering Over the Waters")), symbolizing the vast, untamed, and powerful forces of nature that only God can control. By stating the water came "as out of the great depths," the psalmist emphasizes the supernatural, abundant, and inexhaustible nature of God's provision. It wasn't just a small spring, but a gushing torrent, signifying that God's resources are boundless and His ability to provide transcends all natural limitations. It highlights His creative power, His mastery over chaos, and His capacity to bring life and order from barrenness, assuring His people that His supply for their needs is limitless.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 78:15 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul explicitly connects this Old Testament miracle to Christ, declaring in [1 Corinthians 10:4](/1_corinthians/10-4 "1 Corinthians 10:4 - The Spiritual Rock was Christ") that the spiritual rock that followed Israel in the wilderness "was Christ." Just as the physical rock provided life-sustaining water to a thirsty people in a barren land, Jesus Himself is the ultimate spiritual Rock, the source of living water for a spiritually parched humanity. He offers water that truly satisfies, as He told the Samaritan woman, "whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life" ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus Offers Living Water")). This miraculous provision in the wilderness foreshadows Christ's abundant grace and the Holy Spirit, who flows from Him to nourish and sustain believers ([John 7:37-39](/john/7-37 "John 7:37-37 - Rivers of Living Water")). He is the fountain of life ([Psalm 36:9](/psalms/36-9 "Psalm 36:9 - Fountain of Life")), offering not just temporary relief but eternal satisfaction, inviting all who are thirsty to "come to the waters" ([Isaiah 55:1](/isaiah/55-1 "Isaiah 55:1 - Come to the Waters")).

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

Psalms 105:41

He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places [like] a river.

Exodus 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. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Numbers 20:11

And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts [also].

1 Corinthians 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.

Psalms 114:8

Which turned the rock [into] a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

Isaiah 41:18

I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

Isaiah 43:20

The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.