Water in Psalms--Part I

The Book of Psalms often uses "water" as a metaphor in various ways.

1. In several texts, waters are like an overwhelming flood which overpower an individual. The psalmist asks Yahweh to deliver him or her from the floods of life, meaning enemies, problems, failures, sins, and the like.
Psalm 18:13-17:
"The Lord thundered in the heavens,
and the Most High uttered his voice.
And he sent out his arrows, and scattered them;
he flashed forth lightnings, and routed them.
Then the channels of the sea were seen,
and the foundations of the world were laid bare
at your rebuke, O Lord,
at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.
He reached down from on high, and took me,
HE DREW ME OUT OF MANY WATERS.
HE DELIVERED ME FROM MY STRONG ENEMY,
and from those who hated me;
for they were too mighty for me."

Psalm 69:1-3, 14-15:
"Save me, O God,
FOR THE WATERS HAVE COME UP TO MY NECK.
I sink in deep mire,
where there is no foothold;
I HAVE COME INTO DEEP WATERS,
AND THE FLOODS SWEEP OVER ME.
I am weary with my crying;
my throat is parched.
My eyes grow dim
with waiting for my God. . . .
Rescue me from sinking in the mire;
let me be delivered from my enemies
AND FROM THE DEEP WATERS.
DO NOT LET THE FLOOD SWEEP OVER ME,
OR THE DEEP SWALLOW ME UP,
OR THE PIT CLOSE ITS MOUTH OVER ME."

Psalm 124:1-5:
"If it had not been the Lord who was on our side
--let Israel now say--
if it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
when our enemies attacked us,
then they would have swallowed us alive,
when their anger was kindlged against us;
THEN THE FLOOD WOULD HAVE SWEPT US AWAY,
THE TORRENT WOULD HAVE GONE OVER US;
THEN OVER US WOULD HAVE GONE THE RAGING WATERS."

When we are faced with problems, failures, losses, enemies, obstacles, divisions, and the like, we feel like a powerful flood overwhelming us. God assures us that He is more powerful than any water. Let us trust in HIM in all circumstances.

2. Several passages in the Psalms describe water as a source of strength and assurance.
Psalm 1:1-3:
"Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees
planted by STREAMS OF WATER,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all they do, they prosper."
God's law is the source of spiritual life just as streams of water are the source of living, healthy, fruitful trees.

Psalm 23:1-3:
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
HE LEADS ME BESIDE STILL WATERS;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name's sake."
Still waters symbolize peace in the spirit, in the church, among friends, in the family, in the community, in the state, in the nation, in the world.

Psalm 42:1-2:
"AS A DEER LONGS FOR FLOWING STREAMS,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul THIRSTS for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and behold the face of God?"
A thirsty deer yearns for flowing streams. In the same way, the inner heart of a human being yearns for the living God.

[To be continued]

Share YOUR experiences and thoughts with others. Let me hear from YOU.

John Willis