Psalms 74:13 Commentary: God’s Strength Divides the Sea

Psalm 74 is a community lament, likely composed after the Babylonian destruction of the temple in 586 B.C. (Lange and many modern scholars). The psalmist cries out over ruined sanctuaries, slain worshipers, and enemies who mock God. Yet in verses 12-17, the tone shifts. The poet looks back to what God did “of old”, the Exodus. This backward glance is a deliberate strategy: when the present is unbearable, the past acts of God become the foundation for hope.

The crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14) was Israel’s definitive salvation event. In the ancient world, the sea often represented chaos and evil (the Canaanite god Yamm, the Egyptian Apophis). By dividing the sea, God demonstrated sovereignty over both nature and the spiritual powers that pagan nations associated with the deep. The “dragons” or “sea monsters” (tanninim) are not literal marine creatures. In Ezekiel 29:3, Pharaoh is called “the great dragon that lies in the midst of his rivers.” The word tannin can mean sea monster, serpent, or crocodile. The psalmist paints a picture: God breaks the heads of these monsters “upon the waters” (‘al-hammayim), a vivid image of the Egyptians’ bodies floating in the sea after the waters returned (Exodus 14:28).

This memory served the devastated community. The same God who split the sea and crushed Pharaoh could act again. The psalm does not ask “will He?” but “how long?”, faith that God’s character has not changed.

The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for Psalm 74:13. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts. The variation in English translations (e.g., “dragons” vs. “sea monsters”) reflects different readings of the same Hebrew word tanninim, not a textual issue.

Early Christian writers, such as Augustine, interpreted the sea as the world and the dragon as Satan, seeing the Red Sea crossing as a type of baptism. The verse became part of the Easter liturgy in some traditions, celebrating Christ’s victory over the powers of evil. Jewish tradition has always read this as a reference to the Exodus, and the imagery appears in the Passover Haggadah. The reformers, including Calvin, emphasized the historical event as a foundation for faith. In modern times, the verse is often cited in hymns about God’s power (e.g., “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”) and used in sermons on divine deliverance. The consensus across Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions is that the verse celebrates a real act of God in history.

Three-point outline

1. God rules the unruly: The sea, a symbol of chaos, is divided by God’s strength. No force of nature stands against Him.
2. God defeats the proud: The dragons represent oppressive powers, Pharaoh, Babylon, any enemy of God’s people. He shatters their heads. Their defeat is total.
3. God’s past is our present hope: The psalmist recalls these acts to fuel prayer in a devastated moment. Remembering God’s faithfulness sustains faith when everything seems lost.

Five-point outline

1. “You divided the sea”, God’s power over the natural order (Exodus 14:21).
2. “By your strength”, Not human effort, but divine might alone.
3. “You broke the heads of the sea monsters”, God’s power over enemies, specifically the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:28).
4. “In the waters”, The very element of threat becomes the place of victory.
5. Conclusion: What God did once, He can do again. The prayer “how long?” rests on the assurance that God is still King.

Illustration hooks

• A parent crushing a spider: A child sees a scary creature, but the parent stomps it. The threat is real, but the stronger one deals with it. God does the same for His people.
• Watching a tsunami on the news: The sea is terrifying, homes swept away. But the God who commanded the Red Sea to part has the final word over any disaster.
• An old photograph of a cancer survivor: Looking back at a time of crisis that was overcome gives courage for the present battle. The psalmist uses history as a photograph of victory.

Questions your congregation is asking

• “If God is so powerful, why does He allow His people to suffer now?”
• “How can I recall God’s faithfulness when everything around me seems to be falling apart?”
• ”What are the ‘sea monsters’ in my life that I need God to defeat?”

Psalm 74:13 sits in a lament, a raw cry to God amid ruin. Yet the psalmist does not stay in the pain; he turns to memory. This verse is part of a longer section (vs. 12-17) where the writer lists what God has done. The goal: to rebuild faith by rehearsing God’s past acts. In your group, explore how remembering shapes our trust.

Discussion questions

1. Observation: What does this verse say God did? What words are used to describe His actions?
2. Observation: Look at the words “strength,” “divided,” “broke,” “heads.” Why do you think the psalmist chose such violent images?
3. Interpretation: The “sea monsters” (dragons) are widely understood to represent Pharaoh and Egypt. Why would God be described as defeating them “in the waters”?
4. Interpretation: Read Exodus 14:21-28. How does that historical event connect to the language of this verse?
5. Interpretation: Why does the psalmist bring up events that happened centuries before his own suffering? What is he trying to do for himself and the community?
6. Application: What past victories of God, in Scripture, in your life, in church history, can you recall when you feel overwhelmed?
7. Application: The psalm ends with a plea for God to act. How can we combine remembering with honest asking in our prayers?