Psalm 18:15
New International Version
The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.

New Living Translation
Then at your command, O LORD, at the blast of your breath, the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
The channels of the sea appeared, and the foundations of the world were exposed, at Your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

King James Bible
Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

New King James Version
Then the channels of the sea were seen, The foundations of the world were uncovered At Your rebuke, O LORD, At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

New American Standard Bible
Then the channels of water appeared, And the foundations of the world were exposed By Your rebuke, LORD, At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

NASB 1995
Then the channels of water appeared, And the foundations of the world were laid bare At Your rebuke, O LORD, At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

NASB 1977
Then the channels of water appeared, And the foundations of the world were laid bare At Thy rebuke, O LORD, At the blast of the breath of Thy nostrils.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the channels of water appeared, And the foundations of the world were laid bare At Your rebuke, O Yahweh, At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

Amplified Bible
Then the stream beds of the waters appeared, And the foundations of the world were laid bare At Your rebuke, O LORD, At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

Christian Standard Bible
The depths of the sea became visible, the foundations of the world were exposed, at your rebuke, LORD, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The depths of the sea became visible, the foundations of the world were exposed, at Your rebuke, LORD, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

American Standard Version
Then the channels of waters appeared, And the foundations of the world were laid bare, At thy rebuke, O Jehovah, At the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

Contemporary English Version
You roared at the sea, and its deepest channels could be seen. You snorted, and the earth shook to its foundations.

English Revised Version
Then the channels of waters appeared, and the foundations of the world were laid bare, at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the ocean floor could be seen. The foundations of the earth were laid bare at your stern warning, O LORD, at the blast of the breath from your nostrils.

Good News Translation
The floor of the ocean was laid bare, and the foundations of the earth were uncovered, when you rebuked your enemies, LORD, and roared at them in anger.

International Standard Version
Then the channels of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were uncovered because of your rebuke, LORD, because of the blast from the breath of your nostrils.

Majority Standard Bible
The channels of the sea appeared, and the foundations of the world were exposed, at Your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

NET Bible
The depths of the sea were exposed; the inner regions of the world were uncovered by your battle cry, LORD, by the powerful breath from your nose.

New Heart English Bible
And the depths of the sea appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, LORD, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were uncovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

World English Bible
Then the channels of waters appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, Yahweh, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the streams of waters are seen, "" And foundations of the earth are revealed, "" From Your rebuke, O YHWH, "" From the breath of the wind of Your anger.

Young's Literal Translation
And seen are the streams of waters, And revealed are foundations of the earth. From Thy rebuke, O Jehovah, From the breath of the spirit of Thine anger.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the channels of waters will be seen, and the foundations of the habitable globe will be uncovered from thy rebuke, O Jehovah, from the breathing of the spirit of thine anger.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then the fountains of waters appeared, and the foundations of the world were discovered: At thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the spirit of thy wrath.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the fountains of waters appeared, and the foundations of the world were revealed, by your rebuke, O Lord, by the inspiration of the Spirit of your wrath.

New American Bible
Then the bed of the sea appeared; the world’s foundations lay bare, At your rebuke, O LORD, at the storming breath of your nostrils.

New Revised Standard Version
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.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the brooks appeared, and the foundations of the world were laid open at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thine anger.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the springs of water appeared, and the foundations of the world were revealed from your rebuke, LORD JEHOVAH, and from the breath of the Spirit of your wrath.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the channels of waters appeared, And the foundations of the world were laid bare, At Thy rebuke, O LORD, At the blast of the breath of Thy nostrils.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the springs of waters appeared, and the foundations of the world were exposed, at thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blasting of the breath of thy wrath.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD is My Rock
14He shot His arrows and scattered the foes; He hurled lightning and routed them. 15The channels of the sea appeared, and the foundations of the world were exposed, at Your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils. 16He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.…

Cross References
Exodus 15:8
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.

Job 38:11
and I declared: ‘You may come this far, but no farther; here your proud waves must stop’?

Nahum 1:4
He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.

Isaiah 50:2
Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.

Jeremiah 5:22
Do you not fear Me?” declares the LORD. “Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary for the sea, an enduring barrier it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot cross it.

Amos 9:6
He builds His upper rooms in the heavens and founds His vault upon the earth. He summons the waters of the sea and pours them over the face of the earth. The LORD is His name.

Habakkuk 3:10
The mountains saw You and quaked; torrents of water swept by. The deep roared with its voice and lifted its hands on high.

Jonah 1:4
Then the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship was in danger of breaking apart.

2 Samuel 22:16
The channels of the sea appeared, and the foundations of the world were exposed at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of His nostrils.

Psalm 104:7
At Your rebuke the waters fled; at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away—

Psalm 77:16
The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken.

Psalm 114:3
The sea observed and fled; the Jordan turned back;

Psalm 29:3
The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is heard over many waters.

Matthew 8:26-27
“You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm. / The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”

Mark 4:39-41
Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. / “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” / Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”


Treasury of Scripture

Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

channels

Psalm 74:15
Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers.

Psalm 106:9
He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.

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.

foundations

Psalm 104:5
Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.

Job 38:4-6
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding…

Jeremiah 31:37
Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.

O Lord

2 Kings 19:7
Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.

Job 4:9
By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.

Isaiah 11:4
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

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Anger Appeared Bare Blast Breath Channels Deep Discovered Earth Exposed Foundations Laid Nostrils Rebuke Revealed Sea Spirit Streams Uncovered Valleys Water Waters Words World Wrath
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Anger Appeared Bare Blast Breath Channels Deep Discovered Earth Exposed Foundations Laid Nostrils Rebuke Revealed Sea Spirit Streams Uncovered Valleys Water Waters Words World Wrath
Psalm 18
1. David praises God for his manifold and marvelous blessings














The channels of the sea appeared
This phrase evokes a powerful image of divine intervention where the hidden depths of the sea are laid bare. In Hebrew, the word for "channels" (אפיקים, 'aphiqim) can refer to riverbeds or pathways. This imagery is reminiscent of the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus, where God made a way through the waters for the Israelites. It signifies God's sovereign control over creation, revealing what is hidden and demonstrating His power to alter the natural order for His purposes.

the foundations of the world were exposed
The "foundations" (מוסדות, mosadot) refer to the very underpinnings of the earth, suggesting a cataclysmic event where the earth's stability is shaken. This phrase underscores God's authority over the entire cosmos. In a historical context, it reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of the world as being established on firm foundations, which only a divine being could unsettle. It serves as a reminder of God's ultimate power to reveal and judge, bringing to light what is concealed.

at Your rebuke, O LORD
The term "rebuke" (גערה, ge'arah) is a strong word indicating a forceful reprimand or command. In the biblical narrative, God's rebuke often results in immediate and dramatic change, such as calming storms or defeating enemies. This highlights the authority of God's word, which is sufficient to command the elements and alter the course of history. The use of "O LORD" (יהוה, Yahweh) emphasizes the covenantal name of God, reminding the reader of His faithfulness and the personal relationship He maintains with His people.

at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils
This vivid imagery of "the blast" (נשמה, neshamah) and "breath" (רוח, ruach) conveys the sheer power and life-giving force of God's spirit. In Hebrew thought, breath is synonymous with life and spirit, indicating that God's very essence is capable of enacting profound change. The "nostrils" (אף, aph) anthropomorphize God, providing a relatable image of His might. This phrase echoes the creation narrative where God's breath gives life, and it serves as a metaphor for His ability to both create and destroy with ease.

(15) The channels.--The description of the storm ends with the fury of the wind and the effects of the tempest on the earth's surface. Comp. Psalms 29, and Milton:--

"Either tropic now

'Gan thunder and both ends of heaven the clouds,

From many a horrid rift abortive pour'd

Fierce rain with lightning mix'd, water with fire,

In ruin reconciled; nor slept the winds

Within their stony caves, but rush'd abroad

From the four hinges of the world and fell

On the vex'd wilderness."

--Par. Reg. iv. 409416.

Here, to suit the poet's purpose (see next verse), the rage of the tempest is made to spend itself on the water-floods. The "channels" are either torrent beds (Isaiah 8:7; Psalm 42:1; Job 6:15), or as in Samuel (where for "waters" the text has "sea") the depths of ocean. (Comp. Jonah 2:5.) . . .

Verse 15. - Then the channels of waters were seen. By "the channels of waters" seem to be meant the torrent-courses, so common in Palestine, especially on either side of Jordan, which convey into it the winter rains. These "were seen," lit up by the "lightnings manifold," having previously been in darkness (see vers. 9-11). At the same time, the foundations of the world were discovered. The earthquake (ver. 7) still continuing, the earth gaped in places, and the glare of the lightning enabled the eye to penetrate deep into the solid globe - so deep that it seemed to reach the "foundations." At thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils (comp. ver. 7, "because he was wroth").

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The channels
אֲפִ֥יקֵי (’ă·p̄î·qê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 650: Containing, a tube, a bed, valley of a, stream, a strong thing, a hero

of the sea
מַ֗יִם (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

appeared,
וַיֵּ֤רָא֨וּ ׀ (way·yê·rā·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

the foundations
מוֹסְד֪וֹת (mō·ws·ḏō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4146: A foundation

of the world
תֵּ֫בֵ֥ל (tê·ḇêl)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8398: The earth, the globe, its inhabitants, a particular land

were exposed,
וַֽיִּגָּלוּ֮ (way·yig·gā·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1540: To denude, to exile, to reveal

at Your rebuke,
מִגַּעֲרָ֣תְךָ֣ (mig·ga·‘ă·rā·ṯə·ḵā)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1606: A chiding

O LORD,
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

at the blast
מִ֝נִּשְׁמַ֗ת (min·niš·maṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5397: A puff, wind, angry, vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect, an animal

of the breath
ר֣וּחַ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

of Your nostrils.
אַפֶּֽךָ׃ (’ap·pe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire


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OT Poetry: Psalm 18:15 Then the channels of waters appeared (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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