Psalm 77:17-20

New Catholic Bible

¹⁷^[a]When the waters^[b] beheld you, O God,
    when the waters beheld you, they writhed;
    the very depths trembled.
¹⁸The clouds poured forth their water,
    the skies thundered,
    your arrows^[c] flashed back and forth.
¹⁹The crash of your thunder resounded in the heavens;
    your flashes of lightning lit up the world;
    the earth trembled and shook.^[d]
²⁰Your path led through the sea,
    your way, through the mighty waters,
    though none could trace your footsteps.^[e]

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Footnotes

Psalm 77:17 The miracle of the crossing of the Red Sea is presented in a cosmic perspective, possibly to heighten the description of God’s majesty in bringing his people from slavery to freedom, which led to the Passover. For Christians, the culminating miracle was God’s deed in bringing Jesus from death to life after the crucifixion (see Mt 28:2; Eph 1:18-22), which led to the Christian Passover, Easter.
Psalm 77:17 The waters are at the mercy of the Creator (see Pss 89:10; 93:3f; 104:7; 106:9; 114:3; Job 7:12; 38:10; Nah 1:4; Hab 3:10).
Psalm 77:18 This verse is inspired by Hab 3:11. See also Pss 18:16; 68:9; 144:6. Arrows: i.e., lightning bolts.
Psalm 77:19 This verse evokes the theophany at Sinai (see Ps 97:4; Ex 19:18).
Psalm 77:20 See Neh 9:11; Wis 14:3; Isa 43:16; 51:10. God’s action reveals his invisible presence as Shepherd and Savior (see Ps 78:52; Isa 63:11ff; Mic 6:4).

Psalm 77:17-20

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

¹⁷And they added yet more sin against him: they provoked the most High to wrath in the place without water.

¹⁸And they tempted God in their hearts, by asking meat for their desires.

¹⁹And they spoke ill of God: they said: Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?

²⁰Because he struck the rock, and the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed. Can he also give bread, or provide a table for his people?

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Psalm 77:17-20

New International Version

¹⁷The clouds poured down water,^(A)
    the heavens resounded with thunder;^(B)
    your arrows^(C) flashed back and forth.
¹⁸Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,^(D)
    your lightning^(E) lit up the world;
    the earth trembled and quaked.^(F)
¹⁹Your path^(G) led through the sea,^(H)
    your way through the mighty waters,
    though your footprints were not seen.