Psalms 74:14

Psalms 74:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.
• New International Version (NIV)It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.
• English Standard Version (ESV)You crushed the heads of Leviathan; you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.
• New King James Version (NKJV)You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces, And gave him as food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.

Context of Psalms 74:14

12Yet God is my King from ancient times, working salvation on the earth. 13You divided the sea by Your strength; You smashed the heads of the dragons of the sea; You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert. 15You broke open the fountain and the flood; You dried up the ever-flowing rivers. 16The day is Yours, and also the night; You established the moon and the sun.

Psalms 74:14 word by word

אַתָּ֣ה רִ֭צַּצְתָּ רָאשֵׁ֣י לִוְיָתָ֑ן תִּתְּנֶ֥נּוּ מַ֝אֲכָ֗ל לְעָ֣ם לְצִיִּֽים׃Read the interlinear

• Youאַתָּ֫ה'attâh 'attâ 'ath 'attîy 'attem 'atten 'attênâh 'attênnâh · you(m.s.)H859
• crushedרָצַץrâtsats · to crushH7533
• the headsרֹאשׁrô'sh · headH7218
• of Leviathanלִוְיָתָןlivyâthân · LeviathanH3882
• You fed himנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414
• You fed himמַאֲכָלma'ăkâl · foodH3978
• to the creaturesעַם‛am · people: creaturesH5971
• of the desertצִיtsîyîy · wild beastH6728

Cross-references for Psalms 74:14

• Psalms 104:25Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number, living things both great and small.
• Job 3:8May it be cursed by those who curse the day— those prepared to rouse Leviathan.
• Job 41:1“Can you pull in Leviathan with a hook or tie down his tongue with a rope?
• Isaiah 27:1In that day the LORD will take His sharp, great, and mighty sword, and bring judgment on Leviathan the fleeing serpent—Leviathan the coiling serpent—and He will slay the dragon of the sea.
• Revelation 20:2He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
• Psalms 72:9May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust.
• Exodus 12:35Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing.
• Exodus 14:30That day the LORD saved Israel from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the shore.
• Numbers 14:9Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be like bread for us. Their protection has been removed, and the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!”

Commentaries on Psalms 74:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14The heads of leviathan - Leviathan might be intended here as a personification of the Egypttan government; and its heads, Pharaoh and his chief captains. To the people inhabiting the wilderness - Probably meaning the birds and beasts of prey. These were the people of the wilderness, which fed on the dead bodies of the Egyptians, which the tides had cast ashore. The Vulgate, Septuagint, Ethiopic, and Arabic read, "Thou hast given him for meat to the…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces - On the meaning of the word “leviathan,” see the notes at Job 41:1. The word is used here as descriptive of sea monsters. And gavest him to be meat - Gavest him for “food.” To the people inhabiting the wilderness - That is, the sea monsters were killed, and, being thrown on shore, were gathered for food. The “inhabitants of the wilderness” or the desert, may refer either to the wild and savage tribes of men…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-17Verses 12-17 The church silences her own complaints. What God had done for his people, as their King of old, encouraged them to depend on him. It was the Lord's doing, none besides could do it. This providence was food to faith and hope, to support and encourage in difficulties. The God of Israel is the God of nature. He that is faithful to his covenant about the day and the night, will never cast off those whom he has chosen. We have as much reason to…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14Leviathan: See Psalm 104:26; Job 3:8; 41:1, 12, 22, 31; Isaiah 27:1. Here, the creature’s multiple heads suggest a mythical monster.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 13-1513-15. Examples of the "salvation wrought" are cited. divide the sea--that is, Red Sea. brakest ... waters--Pharaoh and his host (compare Is 51:9, 10; Eze 29:3, 4).Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 74:14

• Leviathan

In the dictionaries

• Leviathan
• Asaph
• Cleave
• Dragon
• Lift
• Pluck
• Psalms
• Remember
• Rod
• God

Commentaries on Psalms 74

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary