12 But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth. 13 It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.

Other Translations of Psalm 74:12-13

King James Version

12 For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. 13 Thou didst divide divide: Heb. break the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.

English Standard Version

12 Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. 13 You divided the sea by your might; you broke the heads of the sea monstersOr the great sea creatures on the waters.

The Message

12 God is my King from the very start; he works salvation in the womb of the earth. 13 With one blow you split the sea in two, you made mincemeat of the dragon Tannin.

New King James Version

12 For God is my King from of old, Working salvation in the midst of the earth. 13 You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters.

New Living Translation

12 You, O God, are my king from ages past, bringing salvation to the earth. 13 You split the sea by your strength and smashed the heads of the sea monsters.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 74:12-13

Commentary on Psalm 74:12-17

(Read Psalm 74:12-17)

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 expect affliction, as to expect night and winter. But we have no more reason to despair of the return of comfort, than to despair of day and summer. And in the world above we shall have no more changes.