Psalms 66:6

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 66:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He turned the sea into dry land; They went through the river on foot: There did we rejoice in him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He turned the sea into dry land; They went through the river on foot: There did we rejoice in him.
Psalms 66:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 66

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6He turned the sea into dry land; They went through the river on foot: There did we rejoice in him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He turned the sea into dry [land], etc.] 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, (<021421>Exodus 14:21,22). Or, “he turneth” f867; for though the allusion is to the making the Red sea dry land, when the Israelites passed through it; yet it refers to something to be done in the times of Christ and the Gospel dispensation. So Christ might be said to do this literally, when he walked upon the sea of Galilee as on dry land, and enabled Peter to do so likewise, (<401425>Matthew 14:25,29); and figuratively, when he makes his people walk through the sea of this world, and…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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. The terror in that case, or that which was “terrible,” was the overthrow of their enemies the destruction of the Egyptians in the Red Sea - thus showing that he had power to destroy all the enemies of his people. They went through the flood on foot - literally, “through the river.” It is probable that the reference here is to the passage of the river Jordan, when the Israelites were about to pass into the promised land Joshua 3:14-17; thus combining the two great acts of divine interposition in favor…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“We - Our nation, or our ancestors, in whose loins we then were. Psalms 66:10”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“He turned: Psa 78:13, Psa 106:8-10, Psa 104:5-7, Psa 136:13, Psa 136:14; Exo 14:21, Exo 14:22; Isa 63:13, Isa 63:14 they: Jos 3:14, Jos 3:16 there: Psa 106:11, Psa 106:12; Exod. 15:1-21; Rev 15:2, Rev 15:3 Psalms 66:7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification