The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.

PSALMS 77:17KJV
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Psalms 77:17 (KJV)

What does Psalms 77:17 mean?

Psalms 77:17 describes a dramatic scene where heavy rain pours from the clouds, thunder echoes through the skies, and lightning flashes like arrows shooting out in every direction. The verse uses vivid natural imagery to picture a powerful storm, showing the overwhelming force and presence of God in nature.

The psalm is spoken by Asaph, who is remembering times when God acted with great power to help His people. In this verse, Asaph is likely recalling the events of the Exodus, when God used storms and natural wonders to deliver Israel. The language emphasizes God’s control over creation and His ability to intervene in human history in awe-inspiring ways.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 77:17

  • "clouds" (עָבִים, ʿavim): This word refers to thick, dark clouds, often associated with storms. Its use here highlights the intensity and heaviness of the rain.
  • "sound" (קוֹל, qol): This word often means "voice" or "sound," and in the context of storms, it points to the thunder that follows lightning, reinforcing the sense of God’s powerful presence.
  • "arrows" (חִצִּים, ḥiṣṣim): This word is used for arrows in battle, but here it poetically describes lightning bolts, suggesting their suddenness and danger.

Why Psalms 77:17 matters

  • The verse helps clear up that the psalmist is not just describing a random storm, but using the storm as a picture of God’s active power and intervention.
  • By connecting the storm imagery to God’s "arrows," the verse emphasizes that even the most fearsome forces of nature are under God’s command.
  • This verse ties into the larger theme of Psalms 77, where Asaph is wrestling with doubt and remembering God’s mighty acts in the past as a source of hope and reassurance.

Where else these words appear

“out” Hebrew H2229 · used in 2 verses

  • Psalms 90:5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up.

“arrows” Hebrew H2687 · used in 3 verses

  • Proverbs 20:17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
  • Lamentations 3:16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.

“skies” Hebrew H7834 · used in 21 verses

  • Deuteronomy 33:26 There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.
  • Job 38:37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
  • Psalms 89:37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.

“clouds” Hebrew H5645 · used in 32 verses

  • Exodus 19:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.
  • Job 30:15 Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud.
  • Ecclesiastes 11:3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.