Psalms 78:16

KJV

He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.

KJV (with Strong's)

He brought {H3318}{H8686)} streams {H5140}{H8802)} also out of the rock {H5553}, and caused waters {H4325} to run down {H3381}{H8686)} like rivers {H5104}.

Complete Jewish Bible

yes, he brought streams out of the rock, making the water flow down like rivers.

Berean Standard Bible

He brought streams from the stone and made water flow down like rivers.

American Standard Version

He brought streams also out of the rock, And caused waters to run down like rivers.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 78:16 powerfully recounts God's miraculous provision of water for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, specifically highlighting how He brought abundant streams from a solid rock and caused them to flow like rivers. This verse serves as a potent reminder of God's omnipotence, His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, and His compassionate care, even in the face of their repeated rebellion and unbelief. It underscores the extraordinary nature of divine intervention in sustaining a vast multitude in an otherwise desolate and inhospitable environment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 78 is a "maskil," an instructional psalm, which systematically recounts the history of Israel from the Exodus through the reign of David. Its primary purpose is didactic: to teach future generations about God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated cycles of rebellion, forgetfulness, and subsequent divine judgment and restoration. The psalm frequently juxtaposes God's mighty acts of salvation and provision with the people's grumbling, testing, and idolatry. Verse 16 falls within the section detailing the wilderness journey (vv. 12-41), specifically recalling the miraculous provision of water, first at Rephidim ([Exodus 17](/exodus/17 "Exodus 17 - Water from the Rock at Rephidim")) and later at Meribah ([Numbers 20](/numbers/20 "Numbers 20 - Water from the Rock at Meribah")). This particular miracle is presented as a foundational example of God's care, yet it is often immediately followed in the psalm by accounts of Israel's continued ingratitude.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Psalms 78:16 refer to the period of Israel's forty years in the wilderness after their Exodus from Egypt. This was an arid, desolate, and often dangerous environment, where water was the most critical resource for survival. The large Israelite population, estimated at over two million, made the need for water even more acute. The miracle of water from the rock, occurring at least twice (at Rephidim/Horeb and Kadesh/Meribah), was not merely a convenient supply but a profound demonstration of God's supernatural power and His direct intervention in sustaining His people. In a culture where water symbolized life, blessing, and divine favor, God's provision from an utterly impossible source—a solid rock—would have been an unforgettable and foundational testimony to His unique sovereignty and care.
* **Key Themes:** The verse encapsulates several crucial themes woven throughout Psalm 78 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Provision**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to meet the needs of His people, even in the most desperate and humanly impossible circumstances. The desert, a place of extreme scarcity, becomes the stage for God's abundant supply of life-sustaining water. Secondly, it highlights God's **Miraculous Power** and **Omnipotence**. Bringing forth abundant water from a solid rock defies natural laws and showcases God's absolute sovereignty over creation, His ability to act outside the ordinary course of events. Thirdly, the verse subtly underscores God's **Patience and Faithfulness**. Despite Israel's frequent complaints, lack of faith, and repeated testing of God (as detailed in subsequent verses like [Psalms 78:18-20](/psalms/78-18 "Psalms 78:18-20 - Israel's Discontent and God's Provision")), God consistently demonstrated His mercy and faithfulness by providing for them, underscoring the enduring nature of His covenant love. This act of provision is a key example of God's steadfast love, even when His people were unfaithful, a theme echoed in [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **streams (נָהָר, _nahar'_):** While often translated "river," _nahar_ here refers to a substantial, flowing body of water, implying an abundant and continuous supply, far exceeding a mere trickle. The use of the plural "streams" further emphasizes the vast quantity of water provided, sufficient for a multitude and their livestock, transforming the barren landscape into a place of life.
* **rock (צוּר, _tsur'_):** This Hebrew term denotes a large, solid mass of stone, a cliff, or a crag. Its use emphasizes the seemingly impenetrable and impossible nature of the source. The miracle is heightened by the fact that water, a soft and flowing substance, emerged from a hard and unyielding object, highlighting God's power to create life and provision where none naturally exists.
* **caused waters to run down (נָזַל, _nazal'_):** This verb means "to flow," "to gush," or "to stream forth." It conveys a dynamic and forceful outpouring of water, not a slow seep. The active causation ("He caused") attributes the entire phenomenon directly to God's will and power, underscoring His direct involvement and the supernatural nature of the event.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He brought streams also out of the rock":** This clause immediately identifies God ("He") as the sole agent of this extraordinary act. The phrase "brought streams" emphasizes the active, deliberate, and powerful nature of His intervention. The source, "out of the rock," highlights the miraculous aspect – a solid, inanimate object becoming a fount of life-sustaining water. This defies all natural expectations and underscores God's sovereignty over creation.
* **"and caused waters to run down like rivers":** This second clause elaborates on the magnitude and nature of the provision. "Caused waters to run down" reinforces God's direct control and initiation of the flow. The simile "like rivers" is crucial, indicating not just a minimal supply but an overwhelming abundance. In the parched wilderness, this imagery would have conveyed an almost unimaginable bounty, sufficient to meet the needs of millions and their animals, and perhaps even to create temporary channels in the desert floor.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 78:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Parallelism** is evident, as the two clauses essentially convey the same miraculous event from slightly different angles, reinforcing the message of God's abundant provision. The phrase "caused waters to run down like rivers" utilizes vivid **Imagery**, painting a striking picture of water gushing forth in a desolate landscape, transforming it into a place of life. This imagery is also a form of **Hyperbole**, as actual rivers would not typically form in the wilderness from a single rock, emphasizing the extraordinary and superabundant nature of God's supply. Furthermore, the entire verse is an example of **Divine Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like actions ("brought," "caused") to God, making His direct intervention tangible and relatable to the human experience. The **Metaphor** of the rock as a source of life is also implicitly present, foreshadowing later theological connections.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse stands as a powerful testament to the character of God as the ultimate Provider and Sustainer of life. It demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over creation, His ability to transcend natural limitations, and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, even when His people are undeserving. The miraculous provision of water in the wilderness is a foundational narrative in Israel's history, serving as a constant reminder that God is not bound by circumstances and that His grace is sufficient even in the most desperate situations. The event highlights the paradox of divine power: life emerging from barrenness, abundance from scarcity, and salvation from an impossible predicament. It underscores that true sustenance comes not from human effort or natural resources, but from the direct, miraculous hand of God.

* [Exodus 17:6](/exodus/17-6 "God Provides Water at Horeb")
* [Numbers 20:11](/numbers/20-11 "Moses Strikes the Rock at Meribah")
* [Isaiah 48:21](/isaiah/48-21 "God's Provision in the Wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 78:16 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, encouraging a deeper trust in God's unfailing provision. In a world often characterized by scarcity, anxiety, and seemingly insurmountable challenges, this verse reminds us that our God is not limited by our circumstances or by what seems naturally possible. Just as He brought forth gushing streams from a solid rock to sustain millions in a barren desert, He is capable of providing for our every need—physical, emotional, and spiritual—from sources we might never anticipate. This calls us to remember God's past faithfulness, both in biblical history and in our own lives, building our confidence that the God who provided then will provide now. It challenges us to look beyond our immediate limitations and to fix our hope on the limitless power and compassion of our Heavenly Father, who delights in sustaining His children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's past acts of provision, both in Scripture and in your own life, strengthen your faith when facing current challenges?**
* **In what "wilderness" areas or seemingly impossible situations in your life do you need to trust God for miraculous provision today?**
* **What does the abundance ("like rivers") of God's provision in this verse teach you about His character, and how does that encourage you in your own needs?**

### FAQ
**Were there two instances of water from the rock, or just one?**

Answer: The biblical narrative records two distinct instances where God provided water from a rock for the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The first occurred early in their journey at Rephidim, near Mount Horeb, as described in [Exodus 17:1-7](/exodus/17-1 "Water from the Rock at Rephidim"). Here, Moses was commanded to strike the rock, and water flowed forth. The second instance took place much later, towards the end of the forty years of wandering, at Kadesh, specifically at a place called Meribah, as recounted in [Numbers 20:1-13](/numbers/20-1 "Water from the Rock at Meribah"). In this latter event, Moses was instructed to *speak* to the rock, but he struck it twice in anger, leading to his exclusion from the Promised Land. Both events underscore God's faithfulness in providing for His people, but the second also highlights the consequences of disobedience, even for His chosen leaders. Psalm 78, being a historical psalm, likely conflates or alludes to both, emphasizing the consistent divine provision despite human failure.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous provision of water from the rock in the wilderness, as celebrated in Psalms 78:16, finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul explicitly connects this Old Testament event to Christ, stating in [1 Corinthians 10:4](/1_corinthians/10-4 "Christ as the Spiritual Rock") that the Israelites "drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." This typology reveals that the physical rock, which yielded life-sustaining water, was a foreshadowing of Jesus, who is the true spiritual Rock, the source of eternal life and spiritual nourishment. Just as the physical water quenched a physical thirst, Christ offers living water that satisfies the deepest spiritual longings of the human soul. Jesus Himself declared, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'" ([John 7:37-38](/john/7-37 "Streams of Living Water")). Furthermore, His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well in [John 4:14](/john/4-14 "Jesus, the Living Water") highlights that the water He gives "will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." Thus, the psalm's celebration of God's miraculous provision points forward to the ultimate provision of salvation and spiritual sustenance found only in Christ, the Living Water, who was "struck" (crucified) to pour out the Spirit and eternal life for all who believe.

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

Deuteronomy 8:15

Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, [wherein were] fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where [there was] no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;

Numbers 20:10

And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?

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].

Numbers 20:8

Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

Psalms 105:41

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

Deuteronomy 9:21

And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, [and] ground [it] very small, [even] until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.