Sálmarnir 77:19

Heilögum Biblíunni

19 (77:20) Leið þín lá gegnum hafið, stígar þínir gegnum mikil vötn, og spor þín urðu eigi rakin.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

way: Psalms 29:10, Psalms 97:2, Nehemiah 9:11, Nahum 1:3, Nahum 1:4, Habakkuk 3:15

footsteps: Exodus 14:28, Romans 11:33

Reciprocal: Exodus 14:29 - walked Exodus 15:11 - like unto thee Joshua 3:16 - rose up Judges 20:21 - destroyed 1 Samuel 12:6 - It is the Lord Job 9:11 - he goeth Job 11:7 - Canst Job 23:14 - many such Job 38:16 - the springs Psalms 36:6 - judgments Psalms 73:16 - When Psalms 106:9 - so he Isaiah 43:16 - maketh Isaiah 45:15 - a God Isaiah 55:9 - General Jeremiah 32:25 - for Daniel 4:3 - great

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Thy way is in the sea,.... In the sea of Suph, as the Targum, the Red sea; it was the Lord that made the way in the sea for the Israelites, and went before them, and led them through it:

and thy path in the great waters; because the word rendered path is written with י yod, and is in the plural number, though the Masorites observe, that that letter is redundant, and so the word is singular; hence the Jews imagine there were more paths than one, even twelve, according to the number of the tribes, and which they think is intimated in Psalms 136:13,

and thy footsteps are not known; not by the Egyptians, who assayed to follow after the people of Israel with the Lord at the head of them, nor by any since; for the waters returned and covered the place on which the Israelites went as on dry ground; so that no footsteps or traces were to be seen at all ever since; and such are the ways God, many of them in providence as well as in grace, Romans 11:33, it may be rendered "thy heels", which made the footsteps or impressions; which latter being the works of God, may be seen and known, but not the former, he being invisible; so Gussetius e observes.

e Comment. Ebr. p. 633.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Thy way is in the sea - Probably the literal meaning here is, that God had shown his power and faithfulness in the sea (that is, the Red Sea), in delivering his people; it was there that his true character was seen, as possessing almighty power, and as being able to deliver his people. But this seems to have suggested, also, another idea - that the ways of God, in his providential dealings, were like walking through the sea, where no permanent track would be made, where the waves would close on the path, and where it would be impossible by any footprints to ascertain the way which he had taken. So in regard to his doings and his plans. There is nothing by which man can determine in regard to them. There are no traces by which he can follow out the divine designs - as none can follow one whose path is through the trackless waters. The subject is beyond man’s reach, and there should be no rash or harsh judgment of the Almighty.

And thy path in the great waters - The additional idea here may be, that the ways or plans of God are vast - like the ocean. Even in shallow waters, when one wades through them, the path closes at once, and the way cannot be traced; but God’s goings are like those of one who should move through the great ocean - over a boundless sea - where none could hope to follow him.

And thy footsteps are not known - The word rendered “footsteps” means properly the print made by the “heel,” and the print made by the foot. The idea here is, that there are no traces in regard to many of the dealings of God, which appear most incomprehensible to us, and which trouble us most, as there can be no footprints left in the waters. We should not venture, therefore, to sit in judgment on the doings of God, or presume that we can understand them.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Psalms 77:19. Thy way is in the sea — Thou didst walk through the sea, thy path was through a multitude of waters.

Thy footsteps are not known. — It was evident from the effects that God was there: but his track could not be discovered; still he is the Infinite Spirit, without parts, limits, or passions. No object of sense.