Psalm 78 (77):15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The One who split the rock in the desert and provided water as from a deep well (Ps. 77:15), and caused water to flow from the rock, bringing forth rivers like torrents (Ps. 76:16), is undoubtedly capable of bestowing the gift of the Holy Spirit—spiritually intended to fulfill this divine purpose—upon a faith that is in desperate need. I assert that He will pour out from the spiritual rock that followed, which is Christ, who proclaimed, "Whosoever thirsteth, come unto me" (Jn. 7:37), and whoever drinks of the water I provide will have rivers of living water flowing from their innermost being (Jn. 4:14). In this context, He spoke, as noted in the Gospel (Jn. 7:39), about the Spirit that believers in Him were to receive. To this Spirit, the rod of the Cross approached, so that grace might be abundantly bestowed upon the faithful.

The stone in the wilderness has been hewn for our sake. This stone is shaped, and from it streams the living water. It is the Rock who invites all: ‘Whoever thirsts, come to Me and drink’ (John 7:37-38). From His mother’s womb flowed this life-giving water. ‘And He gave them to drink, as from the great depths.’ In the barren land, devoid of moisture, we experienced a flood of refreshment. There is much to express, and the psalm seems never-ending, yet time is fleeting. Let us beseech the Lord to part the waters for us, and let the rock yield its streams, so that our bodies may not perish or rest alongside others in the desert. For you know that the remains of our ancestors rest there even now.

He did not spill just a few drops but rather a fountain abundant enough for countless multitudes. This was made even clearer by the Prophet in the subsequent passages.

In the wilderness close to Mount Horeb, as recounted in the book of Exodus, the term "abyss" refers to a vast expanse of waters.

Some may think that the prophet referred to the same miracle on two occasions; however, this is not the case. Moses drew water from the rock twice: first in the wilderness of Horeb and again at Cadiz, where Miriam passed away and was interred. In both instances, the water flowed forth in great abundance, which is why it is described as “out of the great abyss,” and the water is likened not to just one river, but to many. This served as evidence that the miracles they experienced were genuine and not figments of imagination.

In this passage, the Prophet highlights yet another demonstration of the Father’s love on Wednesday, illustrating God’s deep concern for the salvation of His people. Rather than merely stating that God provided water for the Israelites, he emphasizes the miraculous manner in which it was done. While it is common for water to flow from mountains—a phenomenon understood by observers of nature—the rock struck by Moses was neither a mountain nor capable of yielding water, as it was completely dry and solid. Thus, it is evident that the water did not originate from any natural spring but gushed forth directly from within the rock, as if it had emerged from the very depths of the earth.

This Psalm by David, rich in prophetic insight, was entrusted to Asaph, the leader of the singers, to proclaim it for the comprehension of all, highlighting the countless blessings of God Almighty bestowed upon the ungrateful descendants of the Jews. It serves to admonish them for their ingratitude while teaching others the importance of gratitude for the profound and unfathomable compassion of God, especially as manifested through Christ the Lord, who believes in His name. In this psalm, David speaks as if on behalf of Christ to believers, urging them to pay attention to the teachings of the Gospel. The messages within this psalm hold significance both for the Jews and for the faithful in Christ today: the old law serves as a foreshadowing of the new covenant.