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Psalms 18:15

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Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

Then the channels {H650} of waters {H4325} were seen {H7200}, and the foundations {H4146} of the world {H8398} were discovered {H1540} at thy rebuke {H1606}, O LORD {H3068}, at the blast {H5397} of the breath {H7307} of thy nostrils {H639}.

The channels of water appeared, the foundations of the world were exposed at your rebuke, ADONAI, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.

The channels of the sea appeared, and the foundations of the world were exposed, at Your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

Then the channels of waters appeared, And the foundations of the world were laid bare, At thy rebuke, O Jehovah, At the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

Commentary

Psalms 18:15 is a powerful verse from a psalm of thanksgiving and deliverance by King David, chronicling God's dramatic intervention on his behalf against his enemies. This verse uses vivid, cosmic imagery to describe the overwhelming power of the Lord.

Context

Psalm 18 is a magnificent hymn of praise, mirroring the account found in 2 Samuel 22. It details David's experience of being rescued by God from all his adversaries, especially King Saul. The psalm begins with David's declaration of love for God and then transitions into a dramatic depiction of God's descent from heaven to deliver him. Verses 7-15 are a powerful theophany, portraying God's manifestation accompanied by terrifying natural phenomena, illustrating His immense power and righteous wrath against those who oppose His anointed.

Key Themes

  • Divine Power and Sovereignty: The verse vividly illustrates God's absolute control over creation. The "channels of waters" and "foundations of the world" represent the deepest, most hidden parts of the earth, which are utterly exposed and affected by God's mere "rebuke" and "blast." This underscores that nothing is hidden from Him and nothing can withstand His might.
  • God's Active Intervention: This passage emphasizes that God is not a distant, passive observer but an active, intervening deity who personally engages in the affairs of His people, especially to bring deliverance and justice. His intervention is portrayed as a cataclysmic event, shaking the very fabric of existence.
  • Cosmic Judgment: The imagery of the earth's foundations being "discovered" (laid bare) at God's command speaks to a divine judgment or revelation so profound it alters the very landscape. Similar cosmic imagery is used elsewhere in Scripture to describe God's powerful presence or judgment, such as in Nahum 1:4 where God rebukes the sea.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word for "rebuke" (Hebrew: גַּעֲרָה - ga'arah) signifies a strong, authoritative command that causes things to recoil or be exposed. It's not merely a verbal reprimand but a forceful, effective word that brings about a physical or structural change.
  • "At the blast of the breath of thy nostrils" is a powerful anthropomorphism, attributing human-like features to God to convey His intense emotion and irresistible power. This phrase evokes the idea of a furious, hot breath, akin to a storm wind or a volcanic eruption, demonstrating God's overwhelming might. It contrasts with the life-giving breath mentioned in Genesis 2:7, here signifying destructive power against His enemies.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 18:15 offers profound encouragement and a call to reverence:

  • Confidence in God's Deliverance: When facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, this verse reminds us that the God who can expose the foundations of the earth can certainly deliver His people from any adversary or circumstance. His power is limitless.
  • Reverence and Awe: The description of God's power should fill us with awe and reverence. He is sovereign over all creation, and His word carries ultimate authority.
  • Hope in Justice: Just as God intervened for David, He is a God of justice who will ultimately expose and deal with all evil. This provides hope for those who suffer injustice.
  • God as Our Protector: This psalm, and particularly this verse, reinforces the biblical theme of God as a mighty warrior who fights for His people, a concept echoed in Exodus 15:3. We can find security in His protective presence.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 106:9 (7 votes)

    He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.

  • Exodus 15:8 (5 votes)

    And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, [and] the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

  • Psalms 104:5 (4 votes)

    [Who] laid the foundations of the earth, [that] it should not be removed for ever.

  • 2 Samuel 22:16 (4 votes)

    And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.

  • Jeremiah 31:37 (4 votes)

    Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.

  • Joshua 3:13 (4 votes)

    And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, [that] the waters of Jordan shall be cut off [from] the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.

  • Joshua 3:16 (4 votes)

    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.