The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.

PSALMS 77:16KJV
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Psalms 77:16 (KJV)

What does Psalms 77:16 mean?

Psalms 77:16 portrays the waters as creatures that recognize God and tremble before him. The singer speaks directly to God, using the restless sea to picture the power of God’s presence over even the deepest waters.

The repeated words “the waters saw thee” give the scene urgency. The picture reaches below the surface: “the depths also were troubled.” Coming after the singer recalls God’s rescue of his people, the verse prepares for the image of a path through the sea in verse 19.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 77:16

  • “afraid” — חוּל (chul): This word can carry the sense of writhing or trembling. Here it gives the waters’ fear the appearance of physical movement.
  • “troubled” — רָגַז (ragaz): This word can mean to shake or quake. It adds movement to the picture of the depths, rather than describing only a feeling of distress.

Why Psalms 77:16 matters

  • The waters are described as responding to God as if they were alive. “The waters saw thee” gives the sea a role in the scene, while “they were afraid” expresses its reaction.
  • The verse places the sea crossing within a larger picture of God’s presence in nature. Verses 17–18 add clouds, thunder and lightning before verse 19 speaks of God’s way through the sea.
  • The rescue belongs to Israel’s shared memory. Verse 15 recalls the descendants of Jacob and Joseph, and verse 20 describes the people being led by Moses and Aaron.

Where else these words appear

“depths” Hebrew H8415 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  • Job 41:32 He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
  • Proverbs 3:20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

“troubled” Hebrew H7264 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 45:24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.
  • Psalms 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
  • Isaiah 32:11 Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip you, and make you bare, and gird sackcloth upon your loins.

“afraid” Hebrew H2342 · used in 58 verses

  • Genesis 8:10 And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;
  • Psalms 29:8 The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
  • Isaiah 51:2 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.