74:15 You broke open the spring and the stream; 1
you dried up perpetually flowing rivers. 2
110:7 From the stream along the road he drinks;
then he lifts up his head. 3
119:136 Tears stream down from my eyes, 4
because people 5 do not keep your law.
1 sn You broke open the spring and the stream. Perhaps this alludes to the way in which God provided water for the Israelites as they traveled in the wilderness following the exodus (see Ps 78:15-16, 20; 105:41).
2 sn Perpetually flowing rivers are rivers that contain water year round, unlike the seasonal streams that flow only during the rainy season. Perhaps the psalmist here alludes to the drying up of the Jordan River when the Israelites entered the land of Canaan under Joshua (see Josh 3-4).
3 tn Here the expression “lifts up the head” refers to the renewed physical strength and emotional vigor (see Ps 3:3) provided by the refreshing water. For another example of a victorious warrior being energized by water in the aftermath of battle, see Judg 15:18-19 (see also 1 Sam 30:11-12, where the setting is different, however).
4 tn Heb “[with] flowing streams my eyes go down.”
5 tn Heb “they”; even though somewhat generic, the referent (people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.