He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.

PSALMS 78:13KJV
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Psalms 78:13 (KJV)

What does Psalms 78:13 mean?

Psalms 78:13 recalls how God parted the sea, allowing the Israelites to walk through safely, while the waters stood up like a wall on either side. This verse highlights a dramatic moment when God intervened powerfully to rescue His people during their escape from Egypt.

In this psalm, the writer is speaking to the people of Israel, reminding them of their history and God’s mighty acts. The verse points back to the crossing of the Red Sea, emphasizing God’s control over nature and His ability to save. The focus is on remembering and passing down the story of God’s deliverance to future generations.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 78:13

  • "Divided" (בָּקַע, baqa‘): This word means to split or break open. It stresses the forceful and miraculous nature of the sea being parted, not just gently moved aside.
  • "Sea" (יָם, yam): Refers specifically to the body of water the Israelites crossed, most often understood as the Red Sea in this context.
  • "Heap" (נֵד, ned): This word means a pile or mound. The verse pictures the waters as standing up in a heap, which would have been an awe-inspiring and unnatural sight, showing the extraordinary nature of the event.

Why Psalms 78:13 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that the crossing was a natural event; the language used points to a miraculous and intentional act by God.
  • It emphasizes God’s power over creation, reminding readers that the same God who controls the sea is involved in their history.
  • In the wider context of Psalm 78, this verse serves as a call to remember and teach about God’s faithfulness and mighty works, so that future generations do not forget.

Where else these words appear

“heap” Hebrew H5067 · used in 6 verses

  • Exodus 15:8 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.
  • Joshua 3:13 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.
  • Psalms 33:7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

“divided” 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.

“stand” Hebrew H5324 · used in 75 verses

  • Genesis 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
  • Numbers 23:6 And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.
  • 1 Kings 5:16 Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.