Psalms 66:6
Psalms 66:6 in Multiple Translations
He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the waters on foot; there we rejoiced in Him.
He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
He turned the sea into dry land; They went through the river on foot: There did we rejoice in him.
The sea was turned into dry land: they went through the river on foot: there did we have joy in him.
He turned the Red Sea into dry land, and his people walked across through the waters. We celebrated there because of what he did.
He hath turned the Sea into drie land: they passe through the riuer on foote: there did we reioyce in him.
He hath turned a sea to dry land, Through a river they pass over on foot, There do we rejoice in Him.
He turned the sea into dry land. They went through the river on foot. There, we rejoiced in him.
He turned the sea into dry land : they went through the flood on foot: there we rejoiced in him.
Let the people, O God, confess to thee: let all the people give praise to thee:
He caused the Red Sea to become dry land, with the result that our ancestors were able to walk right through it. There we rejoiced because of what he had done.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 66:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 66:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הָ֤פַךְ
יָ֨ם
לְֽ/יַבָּשָׁ֗ה
בַּ֭/נָּהָר
יַֽעַבְר֣וּ
בְ/רָ֑גֶל
שָׁ֝֗ם
נִשְׂמְחָה
בּֽ/וֹ
הָ֤פַךְ
hâphak
H2015
to overturn
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
יָ֨ם
yâm
H3220
West
N-ms
לְֽ/יַבָּשָׁ֗ה
yabbâshâh
H3004
dry land
Prep | N-fs
בַּ֭/נָּהָר
nâhâr
H5104
river
Prep | N-ms
יַֽעַבְר֣וּ
ʻâbar
H5674
to pass
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
בְ/רָ֑גֶל
regel
H7272
foot
Prep | N-fs
שָׁ֝֗ם
shâm
H8033
there
Adv
נִשְׂמְחָה
sâmach
H8055
to rejoice
V-Qal-1cp
בּֽ/וֹ
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 66:6
הָ֤פַךְ
hâphak
H2015
"to overturn"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To overturn means to turn something around or change it completely, often implying a reversal or transformation. This can be seen in the Bible when something is turned upside down or changed radically.
Definition: 1) to turn, overthrow, overturn 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to overturn, overthrow 1a2) to turn, turn about, turn over, turn around 1a3) to change, transform 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to turn oneself, turn, turn back 1b2) to change oneself 1b3) to be perverse 1b4) to be turned, be turned over, be changed, be turned against 1b5) to be reversed 1b6) to be overturned, be overthrown 1b7) to be upturned 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to transform oneself 1c2) to turn this way and that, turn every way 1d) (Hophal) to turn on someone
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] become, change, come, be converted, give, make (a bed), overthrow (-turn), perverse, retire, tumble, turn (again, aside, back, to the contrary, every way). See also: Genesis 3:24; Job 30:15; Psalms 30:12.
יָ֨ם
yâm
H3220
"West"
N-ms
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
לְֽ/יַבָּשָׁ֗ה
yabbâshâh
H3004
"dry land"
Prep | N-fs
Describes dry land or ground, often contrasting it with water or wet conditions. This word is used in stories like the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14. It emphasizes the solidity of the ground.
Definition: dry land, dry ground
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: dry (ground, land). See also: Genesis 1:9; Joshua 4:22; Psalms 66:6.
בַּ֭/נָּהָר
nâhâr
H5104
"river"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, a river symbolizes prosperity, like the Nile or Euphrates, and is often used figuratively. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing the life-giving waters of the Promised Land. This word is also used to describe underground streams.
Definition: 1) stream, river 1a) stream, river 1b) (underground) streams Aramaic equivalent: ne.har (נְהַר "river" H5103H)
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: flood, river. See also: Genesis 2:10; Psalms 93:3; Psalms 24:2.
יַֽעַבְר֣וּ
ʻâbar
H5674
"to pass"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over
Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.
בְ/רָ֑גֶל
regel
H7272
"foot"
Prep | N-fs
This word also means a foot, like when God says he will tread on the wicked in Malachi 4:3. It's used to describe human and animal feet, as well as the base of objects like tables or idols.
Definition: 1) foot 1a) foot, leg 1b) of God (anthropomorphic) 1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table 1d) according to the pace of (with prep) 1e) three times (feet, paces) Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)
Usage: Occurs in 232 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time. See also: Genesis 8:9; 2 Samuel 22:39; Psalms 8:7.
שָׁ֝֗ם
shâm
H8033
"there"
Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
נִשְׂמְחָה
sâmach
H8055
"to rejoice"
V-Qal-1cp
This verb means to rejoice or be glad, often used in a religious sense, like when the Israelites rejoiced at the dedication of the temple in 1 Kings 8:66.
Definition: 1) to rejoice, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to rejoice 1a2) to rejoice (arrogantly), exult (at) 1a3) to rejoice (religiously) 1b) (Piel) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad
Usage: Occurs in 148 OT verses. KJV: cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy(-ful), be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, [idiom] very. See also: Exodus 4:14; Psalms 92:5; Psalms 5:12.
בּֽ/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Psalms 66:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 66:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 66:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 66:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 66:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 66:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 66:6
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 66:6
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 66:6
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 66:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 66:6
- Sermons on Psalms 66:6
Context — Make a Joyful Noise
4All the earth bows down to You; they sing praise to You; they sing praise to Your name.” Selah
5Come and see the works of God; how awesome are His deeds toward mankind.
6He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the waters on foot; there we rejoiced in Him.
7He rules forever by His power; His eyes watch the nations. Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah 8Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of His praise be heard.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 3:16 | the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea ) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. |
| 2 | Exodus 15:1–21 | Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is His name. Pharaoh’s chariots and army He has cast into the sea; the finest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea. The depths have covered them; they sank there like a stone. Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy. You overthrew Your adversaries by Your great majesty. You unleashed Your burning wrath; it consumed them like stubble. At the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up; like a wall the currents stood firm; the depths congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’ But You blew with Your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You—majestic in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders? You stretched out Your right hand, and the earth swallowed them up. With loving devotion You will lead the people You have redeemed; with Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling. The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away, and terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of Your arm they will be as still as a stone until Your people pass by, O LORD, until the people You have bought pass by. You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of Your inheritance— the place, O LORD, You have prepared for Your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, Your hands have established. The LORD will reign forever and ever!” For when Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought the waters of the sea back over them. But the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang back to them: “Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.” |
| 3 | Joshua 3:14 | So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of them. |
| 4 | Exodus 14:21–22 | Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left. |
| 5 | Psalms 78:13 | He split the sea and brought them through; He set the waters upright like a wall. |
| 6 | Psalms 106:8–12 | Yet He saved them for the sake of His name, to make His power known. He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; He led them through the depths as through a desert. He saved them from the hand that hated them; He redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. The waters covered their foes; not one of them remained. Then they believed His promises and sang His praise. |
| 7 | Psalms 136:13–14 | He divided the Red Sea in two His loving devotion endures forever. and led Israel through the midst, His loving devotion endures forever. |
| 8 | Isaiah 63:13–14 | who led them through the depths like a horse in the wilderness, so that they did not stumble? Like cattle going down to the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. You led Your people this way to make for Yourself a glorious name. |
| 9 | Revelation 15:2–3 | And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, beside which stood those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name. They were holding harps from God, and they sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are Your works, O Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations! |
| 10 | Psalms 104:5–7 | He set the earth on its foundations, never to be moved. You covered it with the deep like a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. At Your rebuke the waters fled; at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away— |
Psalms 66:6 Summary
[Psalms 66:6 reminds us that God is a powerful and miracle-working God who can do amazing things in our lives, just like He did when He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites. He can help us pass through our own 'waters' or challenges, and we can trust in His power and provision. As we reflect on God's power and deliverance, we can rejoice in Him, just like the Israelites did, and find joy and delight in who He is and what He has done, as expressed in Psalms 100:1-5. By trusting in God and recognizing His works in our lives, we can cultivate a heart of joy and trust in Him, even in difficult circumstances.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What event is being referred to when it says 'He turned the sea into dry land' in Psalms 66:6?
This verse is likely referencing the parting of the Red Sea, as described in Exodus 14:13-31, where God miraculously allowed the Israelites to cross the sea on dry land.
Why did the people rejoice in God after passing through the waters?
The people rejoiced in God because they recognized His power and deliverance in their lives, similar to the joy expressed in Psalms 100:1-5, where we are called to come before Him with joyful songs.
How does this verse relate to our daily lives as believers?
This verse reminds us that God is still a miracle-working God, as seen in Psalms 77:14, and we can trust in His power and provision in our own lives, just as the Israelites did in the wilderness.
What does it mean to 'rejoice in Him'?
To rejoice in God means to find joy and delight in who He is and what He has done, as expressed in Psalms 37:4, where we are told to delight ourselves in the Lord, and He will give us the desires of our hearts.
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'waters' or challenges in my life that I need to trust God to help me pass through?
- How can I, like the Israelites, recognize and rejoice in God's deliverance in my life?
- What are some ways I can 'come and see the works of God' in my daily life, as mentioned in Psalms 66:5?
- How can I cultivate a heart of joy and trust in God, even in difficult circumstances?
- What are some things I can praise God for today, just as the people did in Psalms 66:8?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 66:6
He turned the sea into dry [land],.... The Red sea, or sea of Zuph, as the Targum; by causing a strong east wind to blow, which made it dry, so that the children of Israel passed through it on dry ground, Exodus 14:21.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 66:6
He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him. He turned the sea into dry land - both the waters of the Red Sea and those of the Jordan.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 66:6
The flood, or river, to wit, Jordan. We, i.e. our nation, or our ancestors, in whose loins we then were, and the benefit of which ancient deliverance we at this day enjoy. See the like expressions . The whole people of Israel are oft considered as one body, continued through all succeeding generations, united in the bond of the same covenant and worship, and in the possession of the same promises, and privileges, and blessings, and acted by one and the same spirit; and therefore several and contrary things may reasonably be ascribed to them, in regard of their several parts and ages, and what was done in one age may be imputed to another by virtue of their strict conjunction with the same body.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 66:6
Psalms 66:6 He turned the sea into dry [land]: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.Ver. 6. He turned the sea into dry land] A mercy much celebrated, and not without cause, in all later ages. They went through the flood on foot] That is, through the river Jordan, when it had overflowed the banks; and met with no enemy on the other side to forbid their landing. There did we rejoice in him] We who were then in the loins of our forefathers, and so shared in their joy. See Hosea 12:4.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 66:6
(6) Flood.—Hebrew, nâhar, which generally stands for the Euphrates, but here, as in Psalms 74:15, for either the Jordan or the Red Sea. There did we rejoice.—The verb is properly optative—there (i.e., in those works) let us rejoice, and thus rendered is more in keeping with the first verses of the psalm. The LXX. and Vulg. have the future, “There we will rejoice in him.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 66:6
Verse 6. He turned the sea into dry land] This was a plain miracle: no human art or contrivance could do this. Even in the bed of the waters THEY did rejoice in him. WE have not less cause to praise and be thankful.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 66:6
6. The passage of the Red Sea and the crossing of the Jordan are referred to as the most notable of His terrible acts (Psalms 65:5). Cp. Psalms 74:13; Psalms 78:13; &c. Flood, as in Joshua 24:2-3; Joshua 24:14-15, is an archaism for river (R.V.). there did we rejoice in him] At the Red Sea and the Jordan. The Psalmist can thus identify himself and his contemporaries with the Israelites of ancient time, for he regards the nation as possessing an unbroken continuity of life. This rendering is grammatically justifiable, and it suits the context better than the alternative of R.V. marg., there let us rejoice in him, whether this is understood to mean, “There—on the spot where those old historical events occurred,—there let us take our stand, and renew our praise to Him, our wondrous Benefactor” (Kay); or, “There, pointing as it were to the field in which God had made bare His arm, and where the past history had been repeated in the present, there let us rejoice in Him” (Perowne). For the Psalmist is addressing the nations, not his countrymen, and a historical reference to the rejoicing which took place after the passage of the Red Sea is more natural than an invitation to join in celebrating either that or the recent deliverance. Moreover mention of the recent deliverance appears to be reserved for the next stanza, to which Psalms 66:7 forms the appropriate transition. Bp.
Perowne’s explanation would at any rate require the adoption of the LXX reading, ‘who turneth the sea into dry land, they go through the river on foot’; i.e. He is ever doing as He did at the Red Sea and the Jordan, opening ways of escape for His people.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 66:6
He turned the sea into dry land - The Red Sea, when he brought his people out of Egypt, Exodus 14:21. This was an illustration of his power, and of his ability to defend and deliver his people.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 66:6
6. He turned the sea… the flood—That is, the sea and the river. The allusion is to the crossing the Red Sea and the river Jordan by the Israelites.
Sermons on Psalms 66:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Rejoice in the Flood by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches about finding joy and triumph in the midst of distress and sadness, emphasizing how God's presence and promises shine brightest in times of trouble. He c |
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Guilt and Freedom by David Roper | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the book of Joshua and the thrilling days of Israel's conquest of the land. He emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience as crucial |
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(Hebrews) 2-Moses by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the story of Moses and his commitment to serving God. The speaker highlights Moses' dedication by mentioning his 40 days of fasting and his |
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Don't Lose Your Song by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not losing one's song, referring to the joy and praise that comes from having a strong faith in God. The speaker reads from |
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The Life of David Brainerd - Part. 2 by Jonathan Edwards | In this sermon transcript, the preacher reflects on their own feelings of unworthiness and insufficiency. They express a desire for a close and constant devotion to God and a fear |
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Death of a Promise - Part 3 by David Wilkerson | In this sermon series entitled "The Death of a Promise," the preacher discusses the concept of God putting a sentence of death on a promise. He uses the example of Abraham and how |
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Joy in God by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of remembering and acknowledging God as our creator and the keeper of His laws. He contrasts the troubled state of those who |