Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers.

PSALMS 74:15KJV
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Psalms 74:15 (KJV)

What does Psalms 74:15 mean?

Psalms 74:15 describes God’s power over nature, saying that God split open springs and streams and dried up strong rivers. The verse highlights God’s ability to control water sources, showing His authority over creation.

In this psalm, the writer (traditionally Asaph) is speaking to God during a time of trouble for Israel, recalling God’s mighty acts in the past. By mentioning God’s control over the waters, the psalmist reminds both himself and the listeners of God’s past deliverance and power, even when facing present difficulties.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 74:15

  • "cleave" (בָּקַע, baqaʿ): This word means to split or break open. Here, it emphasizes God’s active role in making a way through barriers, such as rocks or the earth, to bring forth water.
  • "fountain" (מַעְיָן, maʿyan): This refers to a spring or source of fresh water. The verse points to God as the one who can create life-giving water where there was none.
  • "flood" (נָחַל, nachal): Often used for a stream or wadi, especially one that flows seasonally. It shows God’s control over both permanent and temporary water sources.
  • "up" (יָבֵשׁ, yavesh): This means to dry up. The verse highlights that God not only provides water but can also remove it, showing complete control.
  • "mighty" (אֵיתָן, ethan): This word means strong or enduring. It stresses that even the most powerful rivers are subject to God’s will.
  • "rivers" (נָהָר, nahar): A general word for rivers, used here to show that God’s authority extends to all flowing waters.

Why Psalms 74:15 matters

  • Psalms 74:15 reminds readers that God’s power is not limited to one kind of miracle; He both provides and withholds water, which was vital in the ancient world.
  • The verse connects to the wider theme of the psalm, where the writer is asking God to act again as He did in the past, encouraging faith in difficult times.
  • By recalling God’s past acts over nature, the psalmist builds a case for trusting God’s ability to help now, even when circumstances seem overwhelming.

Where else these words appear

“mighty” Hebrew H386 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob;(from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
  • Job 12:19 He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
  • Jeremiah 49:19 Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her: and who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?

“fountain” Hebrew H4599 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
  • 2 Kings 3:25 And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in Kirharaseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it.
  • Proverbs 8:24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

“cleave” Hebrew H1234 · used in 50 verses

  • Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,
  • Isaiah 48:21 And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.

“up” Hebrew H3001 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 8:7 And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.
  • Isaiah 19:5 And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up.
  • Jeremiah 51:36 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.